Who's Who in the Classical World (Oxford Paperback Reference) [Paperback]

Simon Hornblower (Editor), Tony Spawforth (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 9, 2000 | Series: Oxford Paperback Reference

While books about the gods of antiquity abound, there are few works that give us entrance to the classical world as it existed in the personalities and deeds of its most important citizens. With the arrival of Who's Who in the Classical World, all this is changed. This volume holds biographical entries on nearly 500 individuals of central importance from the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome, including writers, thinkers, artists, scientists, statesmen, kings, queens, and other historical figures. Furthermore, these entries offer far more than simple biographical information: many are short essays covering major historical and cultural themes centered around individuals as varied as Herodotus, Socrates, Plato, Alexander the Great, and Augustus. Drawing on the latest edition of the Oxford Classical Dictionary, this book offers authoritative and accessible scholarship from over 190 world experts on their subjects, providing an invaluable guide to the names and achievements of the leaders of the classical world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Simon Hornblower is Professor of Classics and Ancient History at University College London. Tony Spawforth is Professor of Ancient History at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He is also a well-known presenter of television programmes on archaeological and classical subjects in the BBC series 'Ancient Voices'.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192801074
• ISBN-13: 978-0192801074
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,418,078 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful reference to the Classical World, August 5, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Who's Who in the Classical World (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

Oxford provides with us concise biographies of almost 500 real (as opposed to mythical) people from the Classical Period. The biographies were written by 190 experts and range from a paragraph to several pages, covering rulers, politicians, artists, authors, philosophers and scientists. Seperate chronologies are provided for the Greece and the East and Rome and the West. Five maps are also included. An excellent reference for the student and general public.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "A Great Study Companion", February 4, 2002

By 

Johannes Platonicus (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Who's Who in the Classical World (Oxford Paperback Reference) (Paperback)

The Oxford's "Who's Who in the Classical World" is a quick and concise, authoritative and direct, way to understand the principle people of the age. From Lucius Accius to Zosimus the historian, this reference work covers the general milieu of Greco-Roman civilization. The detailed maps and timelines are an excellent study-aid, and also make up for the lack of illustrations throughout its duration. This is an easily accessible and convenient reference tool, and for this reason it stands out above its counter-part, "The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization," which is more bulky, expensive, and less appealing to anyone simply ready to deal with real people and real events. However, this edition does to a certain extent deal with the many Mythological gods and heroes, with its in-depth analysis of Greek and Roman authors and their literature; for this, everyone will be satisfied. Despite the absence of a few influential people, the five hundred people excellently portrayed here will suffice. This reference work is thoroughly recommended.