Research and Course Guides: Topic: The Classical World: Getting Started

Finding Background Information in Companions and Handbooks

The following resources provide chapter-length overviews of a variety of themes. Each chapter is written by a leading expert and provides useful suggestions for further reading.

Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World

Oxford Handbooks Online - Classical Studies
This source features review essays, written by leading experts, that evaluate the current thinking in Classical Studies.

Find Background Information in Encyclopedias

Use these specialized topical sources to browse for paper topics and for information on specific events, places and themes.

Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Greece and Rome
The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature
The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization
Dictionary of the Ancient Near East
Call Number: OSF-Ref DS56 .D5 2000
Encyclopedia of the Ancient Greek World
Call Number: OSF-Ref DF16 .S23 2005
Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt
Call Number: OSF-Ref DT83 .D23 2003
Handbook to Life in Ancient Mesopotamia
Call Number: OSF-Ref DS69.5 .B47 2002
Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome
Call Number: OSF Ref DG75 .A35 2004

Find Biographical Information

Use these sources to find biographical information on individuals from the period:

Gale in Context: Biography This link opens in a new window
Biography in Context includes over 700,000 biographical entries covering more than 400,000 notable international figures from all time periods and areas of study.