http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/Classics117.html
Research Guide for
Classics 117: Classical Literature: Who were the Greeks?
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DEVELOPING A SEARCH
STRATEGY
DEVELOPING A SEARCH
STRATEGYSearch strategy is a library term for the process of finding information in a logical, step-by-step manner. Using a search strategy insures that you will find the information or material you need as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Research Steps:
- Choose your topic
- Find background information
- Find books on your topic
- Find periodical articles
- Find networked resources or relevant Web sites
- Cite your sources
For online help using on library research strategy and using library resources, try using Library Research, a Hypertext Guide - online, hypertext-based tutorial on library research.
- FINDING
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, Guides and Handbooks
- The materials listed below are a selection of reference resources for finding background information and context for topics you will be covering in this class. Note the call numbers and library locations for these materials and check the reference collections for additional sources ofbackground information.
The authors of articles in reference books often provide bibliographies of selected books and articles for further study.
- The materials listed below are a selection of reference resources for finding background information and context for topics you will be covering in this class. Note the call numbers and library locations for these materials and check the reference collections for additional sources ofbackground information.
- Briggs, Ward W. Ancient Greek authors. Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research, c1997. (Shelved on the Literary Criticism Index Tables in Uris Reference PS129 .D55 v.176)
Ancient Greek Authors is one of the best of the very useful series Dictionary of Literary Biography. Extensive, signed articles on Greek authros from Homer to Cassius Dio list and discuss extant works. They also note standard editions, translations and commentaries. Each article is followed by a brief bibliography of secondary literature. The contents of this volume are also available through the Literature Resource Center , a networked database available through the Library Gateway.
- Bonnefoy Yves ; Mythologies: a restructured translation of Dictionnaire des mythologies et des religions des societes traditionnelles et du monde antique, prepared under the direction of Wendy Doniger ; translated by Gerald Honigsblum ... et al. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, c1991. (Olin Ref BL 311 D55 1991)
An excellent two-volume reference source for information on world mythologies. Extensive sections on major cultural groups, e.g. 200 pages on "Greece," each with separate tables of contents. Articles within the sections are well-written overviews of various aspects of that culture's mythologies, with extensive notes and bibliographies. Many illustrations and an excellent index. One of the best reference works on ancient mythologies in the collection.
- Cotterell, Arthur, ed. The Encyclopedia of Ancient Civilizations. New York: Mayflower Books, 1980. (Olin Ref CB 311 E565+)
A very compact guide to ancient civilizations from Egypt to the Mayas. Articles are signed and usually feature some basic illustrations and maps. There are some very basic bibliographies in the back of the book. Very well indexed.
- Grant, Michael, and Rachel Kitzinger. Civilization of the Ancient Mediterranean:
Greece and Rome. 3 vols. New York: Scribners, 1988.
(Uris Ref DE 59 C58 1988; also Olin Ref)
This collection of essays on Ancient Greek and Roman history cover various topics: geography, physical appearance of inhabitants, politics and religions, languages, arts, and technologies, social and economic activities, and personal lives. Each essay concludes with a bibliography of primary and secondary sources. In addition to the essays, the editors have included a map section, a chronological table, and an index.
- Hornblower, Simon and Anthony Spawforth, eds. The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.(Olin Ref DE5.O92x 1998+).
A more up-to-date and accessible source than the Oxford Classical Dictionary. Brief, signed articles with some bibliographical notes in the text. There are cross-references, maps and illustrations. Highly recommended as a source for background material.
- Hornblower, Simon and Antony Spawforth, eds.The Oxford classical dictionary. 3rd ed. Oxford New York : Oxford University Press, 1996. (Fine Arts Library Reference DE5 .Ox2 1996; Olin Library Reference DE5 .O98 1996+ and Olin Library Room 605)
A third and recently revised edition of this scholarly dictionary covering biography, literature, mythology, philosophy, religion, science, geography of the classical world. Most articles are brief. Bibliographies appended to the articles are usually limited to a few of the best works on the topic, and now are more up to date than those in, e.g., Harper's Dictionary, and include more English language titles.
- Luce, T. James, ed. Ancient Writers: Greece and Rome. 2 vols. New York: Scribners, 1982. (Uris Ref DE 5 A54; also Olin Ref + PA 3002 A54)
A collection of 47 essays which detail "the significant achievements of the writers of the ancient world." (Introduction). Essays cover biographical information and literary background. Arranged chronologically by writer, entries include a selected bibliography of texts, translations, criticism, and commentary.
- Bowder, Diana, ed. Who Was Who in the Greek World: 776 B.C.--30 B.C. Ithaca:
Cornell UP, 1982. (Uris Ref DF 208 W62+)
This work provides "a scholarly and readable account of the lives, achievements, and works of all the more notable personages who appear in the history of the period covered." (Introduction). Most entries have bibliographic references. Includes numerous illustrations, maps, a glossary, and an extended bibliography.
- Mallory, J.P. and D.Q. Adams, eds. Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture. London: Fitzroy Dearborn, 1997. (Olin Ref CB 201 .E53)
A fascinating attempt to examine Indo-European culture through the word roots of Indo-European languages. For example, the article on "PIG" examines the various roots attested in IE languages along with archaeological evidence of pigs and a discussion of pigs in IE folk traditions. Includes essays on supposed IE-related cultures and language groups ("Pit-Comb Ware Culture,"Celtic Languages"). Good bibliographies and extensive indexes.
- Kipfer, Barbara Ann, ed. Encyclopedic Dictionary of Archaeology. New York: Kluwer Academic / Plenum, 2000. (Olin Ref CC 70 K56x 2000)
An excellent one-volume dictionary of archaeological terms, sites, cultures and people. Articles are brief and unsigned, but geographic coverage is quite broad. Contains a supplementary list of archaeological sites and terms.
- Stillwill, Richard, ed. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Classical Sites. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1976. (Olin Ref DE 59 .P95 +)
A one-volume encyclopedia listing and describing over 3,000 archaeological sites of the classical world from Roman Britain to Asia Minor. Each entry includes a description and location (with map reference) followed by a brief history with references to the ancent source. Each also has a bibliography. A series of maps at the ends helps locate the sites.
- Jenkins, Fred W. Classical Studies: A Guide to the Reference Literature.
Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 1996.
(Olin Ref Z 7016 .J4x 1996)
This is a well-written, easy-to-use annotated guide to 667 reference materials for classical Greek and Roman studies. Focusing on the best and most current sources for studies covering the Bronze Age through the sixth century C.E., the author has divided the book into three parts: bibliographic resources, information resources, and organizations. All areas of classical Greek and Roman culture and civilization are covered. Although preference is given to English-language printed sources, reference works in French, German, and Italian are included in each of the sections. The table of contents and the author/title and subject indexes at the end of the book make it easy to quickly locate a title.
Researchers will find the section entitled "Information Resources" particularly useful in that is lists numerous Internet sources, including electronic discussion groups and gives their World Wide Web sites. As with the printed materials, each Internet resource is annotated and details such information as the level of discussion of certain discussion groups, the kinds of material that may be found on a given site, and how well the information is gathered and arranged.
- Hammmond, Nicholas G.L., ed. Atlas of the Greek and Roman World in Antiquity. Park Ridge, NJ: Noyes Press, 1981. (Olin Ref G1033 .A89++)
The standard atlas of the classical world from neolithic times to the fall of the Roman Empire. About 40 shaded maps with good detail and a complete gazeteer.
- Talbert, Richard J. A., ed. Atlas of Classical History. New York: MacMillan, 1985. (Olin Ref G 1033 .A887+)
A useful atlas of outline maps of the Ancient World. Includes maps of important sites and concise descriptions. Basic bibliographies are provided for each area. There is an Index/Gazeteer for locating places on the maps.
- The Cambridge Ancient History. Third Edition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1973. (Olin Ref D57 .C17 1970)
An authoritative multivolume work covering the entire Mediterranean Basin and beyond, from Egypt to Parthia and the Roman Empire. All sections are written by noted experts in their fields. There are good bibliographies and indexes for each volume. Volumes are updated only occasionally, so current scholarship may not be represented. Several volumes of interest: Vol. II, pt. 1, The Middle East and th Aegean Region c.1800-1380; Vol. III, pt. 1 The Prehistory of the Balkans; the Middle East and the Aegean World; Vol. III, pt. 3, The Expansion of the Greek World, Eighth to Sixth Centuries B.C.
Boardman, John, Jasper Griffen and Oswyn Murray, eds. The Oxford History of the Classical World. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. (Olin Ref DE 59 .O98)
A good general history of all aspects of Greek and Roman civilizations. Each chapter is by an authority on the subject and includes notes on "further reading" which are useful. Richly illustrated with black and white and colour plates. Includes maps, a chronology and index.
FINDING BOOKS
Cornell Library Catalog Plus, Olin Library Card Catalog
FINDING BOOKS
Cornell Library Catalog Plus, Olin Library Card Catalog
- Help
Using the Cornell Library Catalog
Search Commands, Subject Searching, Keyword Searching, and other functions of the online catalog are explained on these pages.
- Connect to the Cornell Library Catalog
- The Cornell Library Catalog currently includes all items from all Cornell libraries cataloged since 1973, some pre-1973 items, and items on order or in process. Included in the Cornell Library Catalog are books, periodicals and government documents, as well as some other materials located in the libraries at Cornell. The catalog provides the call number, the name of the library, and the circulation status for most materials.
When to Check the Card Catalog
- When the book you want was published before 1973 and it's not in the Cornell Library Catalog, check the card catalog located in the John M. Olin Library. This card catalog contains cards for authors, subjects and titles filed in an alphabetical, word-by-word arrangement for books cataloged through December 1972. Whenever you cannot locate the material you need, ask at a reference desk for assistance.
- Connect to the Cornell Library Catalog
Useful Call Numbers for Classic 117
- CC Archaeology
- DE Classical Civilization
- G 1003 Atlases of the Ancient World
- PA Classical Literature
- Z 7000 Bibliographies of Classical Literature
FINDING
PERIODICAL ARTICLES
Periodical Indexes and Abstracts
FINDING
PERIODICAL ARTICLES
Periodical Indexes and Abstracts
Articles
Periodical articles are an excellent source for detailed analysis or up-to-date information on a topic. These articles are from materials that are published "periodically" or in daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual or even irregular intervals. They are found in newspapers, magazines, journals, yearbooks, and other sources.
Periodicals are available in several formats: bound paper volumes (like books), microfiche or microfilm, and increasingly as electronic text.
Indexes and Abstracts
Periodical Indexes and Abstracts are Reference resources that identify and locate articles in periodical publications. They are often subject-oriented and list author, title, name of periodical, volume, pages and date of publication in entries called bibliographic citations. For information about bibliographic format and how to cite resources that you use in your research, go to Citing Sources.
Abstracts are specialized indexes that also include summaries of the content of the articles with their citations.
Periodical Indexes and Abstracts also come in several formats: traditional and historical bound paper volumes, standalone CD-ROM computer workstations, and as networked databases available via the Internet.
For more information about finding Networked Resources available through the Cornell University Library, go to Finding Networked Resources.
Full-text Articles
An ever growing number of periodical indexes offer access to the full-text of articles electronically. Use the Library Gateway to find full-text resources.
Selected Periodical Indexes and Abstracts
- L'Année Philologique: Bibliographie Critique et Analytique de l'antiquité
Gréco-Latine.. Paris: Societe d'edition "Les Belles Lettres", 1924/26-. (Olin Z 7016 A61: Room 605)
The most important and comprehensive bibliography in the field of classical languages and literature, history, archeology, epigraphy, and numismatics. Published annually, it includes citations (in all languages) to books, articles, collections of essays and reviews. It is divided into two parts. Part I covers classical authors and textual criticism (arranged alphabetically by ancient author). Part 2 is divided into subjects (philosophy, linguistics, history), subdivided chronologically then alphabetically, by the author of the book or article. An index of ancient authors and an index of authors of books and articles are included.
- L'Année philologique on the Internet..
Incorporates several different attempts to bring the most comprehensive bibliography of classical studies into electronic form. Volumes 40(1969)-70(2000) are now available. We are negotiating a contract and hope to have access through the Gateway this semester. In the meantime the DCB (below) is available in the Electronic Text Center and TOCS-IN(also below) is available online.
- The Database of Classical Bibliography (computer file): DCB. Atlanta:
Scholars Press, 1995- . Vol. 1- . (Olin CD-ROM)
The DCB contains information about publications of all kinds dealing with every aspect of Greco-Roman antiquity. Its primary source is the Année Philologique (APh), the international bibliography of record for the field of classical studies. The APh (and DCB) contains citations of all known scholarly work published in any language anywhere in the world in the areas of ancient Greek and Latin language and linguistics, Greek and Roman history, literature, philosophy, art, archaeology, religion, mythology, music, science, early Christian texts, numismatics, papryology and epigraphy. Each publication is classified by ancient author, text, or general subject, and all articles are abstracted. Substantial international cross-referencing and scholarly notes contributed by the editors. Covers APh volumes 47-58 (1976-1987).
- TOCS-IN
TOCS-IN provides the tables of contents of a selection of Classics, Near Eastern Studies, and Religion journals, both in text format and through a Web search program. Where possible, links are given with articles of which the full text or an abstract is available online (about 6%).
The project began to archive current tables of contents in 1992, and now contains ca 160 journals, and over 23,000 articles, in a database at Toronto. In addition, the Louvain mirror site archives much additional material for some of the journals before 1992. Searches of all data can be made at both sites.
- Nestor.
Bibliography of Aegean studies, Mycenaean Greece, homeric society, Indo-European linguistics, and related fields. The primary geographic nexus of Nestor is the Aegean, including all of Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Cyprus. Its chronological range is the prehistoric period from the Palaeolithic through the end of the Geometric period. Subject areas covered include human interactions with the environment, material culture, social, political, and economic activities, structures, and organizations, and languages and writing systems. Related topics are Philistine culture, the Classical Cypriot syllabary, and Indo-European linguistics especially concerning the development of Greek.
- Periodical Abstracts (ProQuest). Ann Arbor: Bell & Howell, 1986- .
Indexes and abstracts approximately 2000 general interest magazines and scholarly journals. It also includes citations and abstracts to selected television and radio programs. Many of the articles found by searching in this database are available in full text electronic formats. Pull down menus allow you to customize your searches by date range, type of resource (newspaper or magazine and journal articles), and by retrieval format (citation, full text, or PDF file which includes graphics). The Database Selection menu allows you to search different sections of the database, including a limit for Peer reviewed articles (scholarly articles).
Cites items listed on the table of contents page of individual issues of more than 13,000 journals in science, technology, medicine, social science, business, the humanities, and popular culture. Covers 1990 to the present for most journals; some titles are covered from 1992 or 1994 to date. Updated daily. Includes abstracts.
Other indexes and abstracts of interest to this class can be found in paper volumes or at non-networked CD-ROM computer workstations in Olin or Uris Reference.
FINDING NETWORKED
RESOURCES
Cornell Library Gateway
FINDING NETWORKED
RESOURCES
Cornell Library Gateway
The Cornell Library Gateway is a new web site which provides a unified approach to finding information about the Cornell University Library and to selecting and connecting to our diverse and growing constellation of networked electronic resources and services.
Buttons on the left side of the screen will always be available to help you navigate among a variety of choices. The Cornell University Library Catalog is at the top of the array to make it easy for you to connect and search for books, journal titles and many other types of materials at Cornell. Networked Resources, the default display on the right side of the screen, enables you to identify and connect to networked electronic resources, such as periodical indexes, full text documents or numeric data files. About CU Library leads you to a wealth of information about the Library, including individual library web sites. Services provides information about library services such as circulation, instruction and reference, and enables you to make a variety of requests, electronically, for services such as book renewals and interlibrary borrowing. Help provides information on a wide variety of general and technical topics that will help you understand and use the CU Library as well as the Library Gateway. And if you need personal help you can click on "Ask a Librarian" at the bottom of each page. Last, but not least, the CUInfo button enables you to connect easily to the Cornell University information system.
Networked Resources contains titles, descriptive information, and links to over 1,200 networked electronic resources, including periodical indexes, numeric and spatial data files, catalogs, audio-visual materials, and full text documents such as electronic journals and reference sources. It is a "database of databases." There are two main ways to search for databases in your areas of interest: searching and browsing.
Searching for Databases
Click on the top search box to select the type of resource you are interested in, such as indexes or full text, or all types, then type a keyword or keywords in the second search box. The Networked Resources database will then generate a list of resources (databases) that match your search request.
Browsing for Databases
Below the Search boxes you will find a menu of subject categories. Click on a subject category to browse lists of resources available in that subject area. Or, you can browse the lists of New Resources, "Greatest Hits" (frequently used databases), or the Alphabetical List of titles contained in the Networked Resources database (over 1,200 titles and growing).
Once you have identified the networked resource you are interested in, you can then connect to it directly to gather the information you need to perform a search on your specific topic in the file or database you have selected.
Other networked resources of potential interest to this class that can be found using the Library Gateway include the following titles:
Return to Table of Contents
FINDING
INTERNET RESOURCES
SEARCH ENGINES AND SUBJECT GUIDES
FINDING
INTERNET RESOURCES
SEARCH ENGINES AND SUBJECT GUIDES
Use search engines or Internet subject guides to find resources or sites on the World Wide Web on your topic. Search Engines are software that allow you to search the contents of web pages and Subject Guides are web pages that use menus and lists to sort and classify web sites.
Question Authority! The Internet is a very democratic tool, in that anyone can write or say virtually anything they wish to on it. As you would do with books and journal articles, look to see who is responsible for producing the web page or site that you are accessing. Does the individual or institution have a particular bias or concern or agenda in presenting their information. How objective is the information? How accurate or truthful? How authoritative?
SELECTED INTERNET RESOURCES
- Internet Reference Resources
chosen by the O*K*U Reference staff
- Cornell University Classics
Department
- Argos: Limited Area Search of the Ancient and Medieval Internet
A metasite with a search engine that searches only Web pages relevant to Classical studies (far better than Google, AltaVista, etc.!).
- Electronic Resources for
Classicists: The Second Generation
A metasite with extensive lists of Web resources in Classics.
- Perseus Project
The Perseus Classics collection began as an integrated collection of materials, textual and visual, on the Archaic and Classical Greek world. Named for the Hellenic hero who explored the world to its most distant reaches, Perseus made it possible for specialists and non-specialists alike to move between traditionally distinct types of information, such as images and texts, and across traditionally distinct disciplines, such as classical archaeology and philology. Building on the success of the tools and resources developed for Ancient Greek source materials, the project expanded into the Roman world, with additional art and archaeology materials as well as new collections of Latin texts and tools.
The collection contains extensive and diverse resources including primary and secondary texts, site plans, digital images, and maps. Art and archaeology catalogs document a wide range of objects: over 1,500 vases, over 1,800 sculptures and sculptural groups, over 1,200 coins, hundreds of buildings from nearly 100 sites and over 100 gems. Catalog entries are linked to tens of thousands of images, many in high resolution, and have been produced in collaboration with many museums, institutions and scholars. Catalog information and keywords have been taken from standard sources, which are cited in the entries for each object.
- Classics and Mediterranean
Archaeology
CITING
SOURCES
CITING
SOURCES
MLA citation style
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers (5th ed.)
CU Library Reference locations include Olin and Uris Libraries at call number: LB 2369 .G53x 1999.
- MLA citation style (Gateway Help)
- MLA Style (MLA's web site)
RESEARCH AND REFERENCE HELP
- Library Gateway Help
- Reference Desk Directory
- Reference Desk Schedules in Olin and Uris Libraries
- Olin Library Reference phone number: 255-4144
- Uris Library Reference phone number: 255-2339
- Olin Library Reference phone number: 255-4144
- OKU Workshop Schedule
- OKU Research Consultations
- Olin Kroch Uris Reference e-mail address: okuref@cornell.edu
New online Reference Help service. Presently available M-F 1-5 p.m.
Question? Ask a Librarian
September 10, 2002
(lt)
Bob Kibbee
IRIS Reference Services Division, Olin Library
Cornell University Library
URL: http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/sprclassics150.html
Olin and Uris Libraries, Cornell University, Ithaca
NY 14853
Information and reference: 607-255-4144, okuref@cornell.edu
Circulation: (Olin) 607-255-4245, (Uris) 607-255-3537, olincirc@cornell.edu