Books

The Oxford Classical Dictionary
The Oxford Companion to Military History
Village Life in Ancient Egypt: Laundry Lists and Love Songs
God's Playground: A History of Poland: Origins to 1795 Vol 1
God's Playground: A History of Poland: 1795 to the Present Vol 2
From Nyet to Da: Understanding the Russians
The Private Life of Chairman Mao
On Point: A Rifleman's Year in the Boonies - Vietnam, 1967-1968
Homage to Barcelona
A History of Interior Design
Knight's Cross: Life of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
Windrush: The Irresistible Rise of Multi-racial Britain
Redcoat: The British Soldier in the Age of Horse and Musket
The Fall of France: The Nazi Invasion of 1940
Forgotten Voices of the Second World War (CD box set) [AUDIOBOOK]
Mastering Modern British History (Palgrave Master S.)
Prosperity, Depression and the New Deal (Access to History S.)
Rule by Secrecy
The Ecclesiastical History of the English People (Oxford World's Classics)
Letters from a Lost Generation: First World War Letters of Vera Brittain and Four Friends
Life Among the Pirates: The Romance and the Reality
" Valleys of the Assassins and Other Persian Travels (Modern Library)
Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization
The New Critical Idiom : Gothic
SS: Hitler's Instrument

Average customer rating:

Best available
All things considered, a superb reference work
Oxford Classical Dictionary - Review
very good book
A great reference

The Oxford Classical Dictionary

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Similar Items:

The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature
Oxford Latin Dictionary
A Greek-English Lexicon, Ninth Edition with a Revised Supplement
Greek Grammar
Allen and Greenough's New Latin Grammar (Dover Books on Language)

ASIN: 0198606419

Book Description

'offers not only that breakfast for the mind we keep hearing about, but lunch, tea, dinner, supper and non-stop snacks' Peter Green, Washington Times (reviewing the third edition). For almost half a century The Oxford Classical Dictionary has been regarded as the unrivalled one-volume reference work on all aspects of the Graeco-Roman world. As an authoritative reference to all there is to know about the ancients, the third edition of the Dictionary, published in 1996, has firmly maintained that position, taking into account the huge expansion in the scholarship and scope of classical studies. The value of the Dictionary in terms of factual detail is immense. It provides both scholars and non-specialists with a comprehensive source of reference which aims to answer all their questions about the classical world. In over 6,200 entries written by the very best of classical scholars from all over the world the Dictionary provides coverage of Greek and Roman history, literature, myth, religion, linguistics, philosophy, law, science, art and archaeology, and topics in near eastern studies, and late antiquity. The approach is interdisciplinary: all areas, regions, and cultures are represented beyond the core areas of Greece and Rome. As well as providing factual information the Dictionary contains many thematic entries, on subjects relevant to the 21st century such as nationalism, race, and ecology. The text is written in an accessible style and all Latin and Greek words have been translated. For this revised edition, the two editors Simon Hornblower and Antony Spawforth have made numerous small corrections and updates throughout, to make an outstanding work even better. The Dictionary covers: politics, government, economy - from political figures to political systems, terms and practices, histories of major states and empires, economic theory, agriculture, artisans and industry, trade and markets religion and mythology - deities and mythological creatures, beliefs and rituals, sanctuaries and sacred buildings, astrology and magic law and philosophy - from biographies of lawgivers and lawyers to legal terms and procedures, from major and minor philosophers to philosophical schools, terms, and concepts science and geography - scientists and scientific theory and practice, doctors and medicine, climate and landscape, natural disasters, regions and islands, cities and settlements, communications languages, literature, art, and architecture - languages and dialects, writers and literary terms and genres, orators and rhetorical theory and practice, drama and performance, art, painters and sculptors, architects, buildings and materials archaeology and historical writing - amphorae and pottery, shipwrecks and cemeteries, historians, and Greek and Roman historiography military history - generals, arms and armour, famous battles, attitudes to warfare social history, sex, and gender - women and the family, kinship, peasants and slaves, attitudes to sexuality

Customer Reviews:

Best available.......2007-05-09

Very good dictionary for someone interested in Greek and Roman antiquity.
I especially like the sections on Greek and Latin pronunciation.

All things considered, a superb reference work.......2007-01-27

This edition (the third edition, 1996) has over 6200 entries on 1640 pages! And no, I haven't read them all... This is really wonderful for those times when you come across a new term (whether a person, place or thing) and need some idea as to who (what or where) is being discussed, indicated or alluded to. This Edition, published in 1996, was put together between 1991-1994 and contains matters (such as the Near East) that were barely touched on in earlier editions. But never fear! - The centrality of Greece and Rome has been quite correctly retained. There is, however, a much broader (and self-consciouss) inter-disciplinary focus to this edition. Older readers will likely be annoyed by long bows to feminism, Marxism and postmodernism in some of the essays. Occasionally, the tone and 'politically correct' point of view of some entries can be a bit over the top. If you are either old-fashioned or easily annoyed (and you know who you are) it might be wise NOT to toss out the second edition... But even they might find some of the new 'thematic' entries - on disease, ecology, economy, imperialism, literacy, motherhood, and technology, e.g. - more than occasionally useful. There is even good news for the under-educated - most Greek and Latin terms are translated! But I would prefer that the Greek or Latin and its translation both appear; this compromise would likely satisfy both novices and experts. Unfortunately, the cost of including the original term and the translation would likely cause the publisher to balk. Now, Roman names will probably continue to annoy everyone. If, for example, one looks up Caesar one finds 'See Iulius Caesar'. Now, as I hope we all know, the Romans had three names (using Caesar as an example): Gaius (praenomen), Iulius (nomen), Caesar (cogomen). Pretty much no one, besides Emperors and writers, is listed under the cogomen in this edition - they are almost all listed by nomen. (No, Caesar is not the exception, he was never officially Emperor.) The change of 'Julius' into 'Iulius' is also annoying - especially after being assured (Preface, viii) that "the more familiar form [...] should be preferred." But with a work of this scope and length there will always be a multitude of quibbles and annoyances. One of mine is that I wish the tiny bibliographies that follow some entries were less brief. But all things considered this is a first-rate OCD that will inevitably, after a generation and a half has passed, need to be revised. But such is the fate of all academic reference works. - They are all such slaves to fashion! That said, the general editors, Hornblower and Spawforth, and the area advisers have much to be proud of; 4.5 stars, 5 if the 'politically correct' gestures are toned down and the bibliographical data following some of the separate entries increased.

Oxford Classical Dictionary - Review.......2007-01-12

After returning the faulty bound copy, the second one we received appears ok. Thanks DWB

very good book.......2006-11-06

This is a very comphrehensive book about the classic knowledge, better than Oxford Companion to the Classic Literature.

A great reference.......2006-08-17

The Oxford Classical Dictionary (OCD) is a wonderful reference for people with a keen interest in ancient Greece and Rome. It contains brief articles on almost every imaginable aspect of ancient Greek and Roman history (including thematic entries), by scholars who are specialists in their fields. The entries are informative yet concise, and provide a good starting point for further study through cross-referencing and mini-bibiographies. It is probably the most useful to students, but the short articles are written in such a way that non-specialists will not feel left out.

Average customer rating:

As Advertised
Excellent resource
Very good, but it only goes one way.
A must-have for intermediate and advanced students, translators, and linguists
good dictionary

The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Oxford English-Hindi Dictionary
Teach Yourself Beginner's Hindi Script
Teach Yourself Hindi Complete Course Package (Book + 2CDs) (Teach Yourself Language Complete Courses)
Introduction to Hindi Grammar
Teach Yourself Hindi Dictionary

ASIN: 019864339X

Book Description

Now in paperback, this major new Hindi-English dictionary (the first published for over a century) has been produced to meet the need of a growing number of people now learning and studying Hindi. Reflecting the many-sided development of Hindi during the 20th century, it provides over 70,000 entries with generous use of illustrative material showing words in use. Both colloquial and literary vocabulary is extremely well covered, together with some modern regional variants. The `Urdu' vocabulary of Hindi is well represented, as well as to the most up-to-date additions to the modern language.

Customer Reviews:

As Advertised.......2007-03-24

The Oxford Hindi-English Dictionary is everything I hoped it would be. The Devanagari script is easily readable, the word selection is reasonably comprehensive, and the explanations are good.

I only wish there was a good English-Hindi Dictionary that I could pair with this volume. I looked around quite a bit before getting this dictionary, and I'm still looking for the right English-Hindi edition. Right now I'm using Teach Yourself Hindi Dictionary for English-to-Hindi, but it only has a few select words.

Excellent resource.......2006-05-31

I agree with many other reviewers in that this is best suited to intermediate/advanced or serious students of Hindi. Casual users or beginners may find it quite frustrating as all the entries are in Hindi.

I bought it BECAUSE the entries are in Hindi and it forces me to learn Hindi at a much faster pace. It is an excellent resource and I am thoroughly pleased with this purchase!

Very good, but it only goes one way........2006-04-05

This dictionary is very complete however it only goes one way. It is superb for finding the meaning of Hindi words. However, as it only goes one way, this dictionary cannot be used to find the Hindi equivalents of English words. I would recommend the Oxford English-Hindi Dictionary by S. K. Verma for that.

The words are listed in Devanagari, although roman transliteration is placed alongside. This makes this dictionary inappropriate for people who just want to learn some rough phrases. For any English speaker seriously learning Hindi (that is becoming literate in Hindi) this dictionary is a must.

A must-have for intermediate and advanced students, translators, and linguists.......2005-12-19

This dictionary, while excessive for a first-year student or casual learner of Hindi, is an indispensable resource for the intermediate student of Hindi, translator, or those with an interest in the linguistic history of South Asia. It is a budget-priced dictionary that provides ample definitions and etymologies, and only full-time scholars of Hindi need more than this one volume.

R.S. McGregor, along with Rupert Snell and Lucy Rosenstein, is one of the "big names" in the study of Hindi in the Anglophone world. He, along with these other two scholars, teaches at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, which is probably the world's best resource for the study of South Asian languages. This volume draws on an earlier (antiquated and prohibitively expensive) dictionary to provide a wonderful resource of modern Hindi, with notes as to the etymology of each word (from English, Sanskrit, Pali, Persian, etc.).

The only caveat emptor that I could give a potential purchaser of this dictionary is that it may be excessive for a basic learner of Hindi, who may, incidentally, be interested in a dictionary that leans towards a "Hindustani" lexicon. Unfortunately, I don't have a good dictionary of that ilk to recommend as of yet, and in its absence, you couldn't beat this volume. No one who studies Hindi past the first year should be without this dictionary.

A more critical review, written by Surendra K. Gambhir of the University of Pennsylvania, can be found in the Spring 1996 issue of The Modern Language Journal, but I believe that the issues that Dr. Gambhir raises are not relevant for an amateur scholar of Hindi, and the owner of this book can rest assured that she or he possesses the best one-volume resource available to Anglophone students of Hindi.

good dictionary.......2005-12-14

Very good because of the transliteration in roman characters. For beginners it is essential and very up-to-date. I am very satisfied whith it.

Average customer rating:

Greek language delights
Great for beginners
A good quick reference
Good book so far, but
Ideal for Today's Student

Oxford Grammar of Classical Greek
James Morwood
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Pocket Oxford Classical Greek Dictionary
Athenaze: An Introduction to Ancient Greek Book I
Introduction to Attic Greek
All The Greek Verbs (Greek Language)
Greek, Classical Vocabulary Cards: Academic Study Card Set

ASIN: 0195218515

Book Description

The Oxford Grammar of Classical Greek gives clear, concise, and easily understood explanations of all the key points of Classical Greek grammar. With additional features such as a glossary of grammatical terms, a vocabulary list covering all the Greek words found in the main text, study tips, and practice exercises to help develop knowledge and gain confidence, this invaluable resource ensures that students have all the support they need to complement their language learning. The Oxford Grammar of Classical Greek also offers hundreds of example sentences illustrating grammatical points, an explanation of literary terms, and a guide to how Classical Greek was pronounced. The first book of grammar dedicated to Classical Greek for students in almost a century, this handy reference will replace existing Greek grammars and help students bring this ancient language to life.

Customer Reviews:

Greek language delights.......2007-02-01

For those, like myself, familiar with ancient, medieval and modern Greek languages (still essentially ONE language, even though the author debates changes in pronunciation) the current Oxford Grammar of Classical Greek provides a solid foundation and a delight to explore the rules and gems of this unique tongue, that is as admirable as other monuments in Hellenic art and literature. Hopefully this volume will be shared by many others. One can spend a lifetime without ever seeing the ocean - or learnig Greek! - but that would be admittedly regretful.

Great for beginners.......2006-11-11

This has been a real help for me in my first classical greek class. I reccommend it highly.

A good quick reference.......2005-12-22

After many years of just using Smyth's grammar, I decided to take a look at other texts. This is a good book and the author outlines its limitations at the outset. With this text you have the basic tools at your disposal but there is something to be said for the context in which Smyth put things. I am still getting used to the format and those of us who learned Greek the old way may never get used to the absence of more scholarly material and references. No question about the fact that if you have Smyth you will default to it most of the time. But if you are travelling or need a quick and dirty answer, this is the way to go.

Good book so far, but.......2005-11-08

it does not contain an answer key to the problems. Morwood sets an nice steady course for the beginning student, but when you want to check your answers to the questions he has at the end of each section, you are left hanging out to dry. That is a sin for any author!

Ideal for Today's Student.......2005-09-05

This book was long overdue. Grammars like Smyth's and Goodwin and Gulick's, while impressively thoroughly, were written for an era very different from our own. A century ago, when those books were written, boys (almost exclusively boys) began learning Greek and Latin at the equivalent of elementary-school age. The OXFORD GRAMMAR OF CLASSICAL GREEK presents Greek paradigms in a format that will be much more accessible to today's students, who are likely to be college-age or older and to have studied several years of a modern language before beginning Ancient Greek.

Morwood does not go into the detail of Smyth, and at some point in the Greek student's career it will be advisable to get a copy of Smyth. However, Morwood is ideal for beginning to intermediate learners. I'll even go so far as to say it will prove handier to the seasoned classicist for common reference purposes than the more cumbersome works by Smyth and Goodwin and Gulick.

I have been studying and teaching Greek now for eighteen years, and Morwood's book is the most useful work I have yet found for referencing all but the most obscure points of grammar and usage.

As a side note, in response to the other spotlight review, this book is a reference grammar, not a book of exercises. If you are searching for a book for self-study, I recommend GREEK: AN INTENSIVE COURSE by Hansen and Quinn.

Oxford Latin Course, Part II (2nd edition)

Average customer rating:

I love learning latin
Pretty Good Text
water damaged
It's a dead language, what more could you want?
This book is great for children learning Latin.

Oxford Latin Course, Part II (2nd edition)
Maurice Balme , and James Morwood
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Oxford Latin Course, Part I (2nd edition)
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English Grammar for Students of Latin: The Study Guide for Those Learning Latin (English Grammar Series)

ASIN: 0195212053

Book Description

Designed for North American students, this special version of the Oxford Latin Course combines the best features of both modern and traditional methods of Latin teaching, providing an exciting, stimulating introduction and approach to Latin based on the reading of original texts.

In this four-volume North American edition, the order of declensions corresponds to customary U.S. usage, and the spelling has been Americanized. In addition, it offers full-color illustrations and photographs throughout Parts I and II and an expanded Teacher's Book with translations for each part. Parts I -III (now available in hardcover editions) are built around a narrative detailing the life of Horace, now based more closely on historical sources, which helps students to get to know real Romans--with their daily activities, concerns, and habits--and to develop an understanding of Roman civilization during the time of Cicero and Augustus. Part IV (paperback) is a reader consisting of extracts from Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, Virgil, Livy, and Ovid.

The second edition of the Oxford Latin Course has been carefully designed to maximize student interest, understanding, and competence. It features a clearer presentation of grammar, revised narrative passages, new background sections, more emphasis on daily life and on the role of women, a greater number and variety of exercises, and review chapters and tests. Each chapter opens with a set of cartoons with Latin captions that illustrate new grammar points. A Latin reading follows, with new vocabulary highlighted in the margins and follow-up exercises that focus on reading comprehension and grammatical analysis. A background essay in English concludes each chapter. Covering a variety of topics--from history to food, from slavery to travel, these engaging essays present a well-rounded picture of Augustan Rome.

The Oxford Latin Course, Second Edition offers today's students and teachers an exceptionally engaging and attractive introduction to the language, literature, and culture of Rome--one that builds skills effectively and is exciting to use.

Customer Reviews:

I love learning latin.......2007-02-18

I am happy with the Oxford Latin course because you learn the language through interesting stories as opposed to repetitive exercises that can sometimes be boring.

Pretty Good Text.......2006-02-25

I use this book for may Elementary Latin 2 course. The professor teaches straight out of this workbook. I enjoy the cultural section of each chapter, as it gives a bit of history of Rome as it pertains to the latin vocabulary and concepts just learned in the section. The illustrations are terrible, but kind of funny because they are so bad. One has to assume that they are intentionally drawn badly.

water damaged.......2005-10-05

the book i received was water damaged and stained. half of the pages were stuck together. i can still use the book, i guess, but would there will be certain inconveniences.

It's a dead language, what more could you want?.......2004-12-21

While this book is excellent in teaching grammar and vocabulary, some phrases are repeated over and over and over again. It seems that, in a span of 4 chapters, the same phrase was used 5 times. However, the passages are a great help in learning latin, why? Because they progressively become harder and use concepts learned in previous lessons, not letting them get stored in the back of one's mind. I do reccomend this book for anyone who wishes to learn latin.

This book is great for children learning Latin........2004-05-22

I am a historian who uses Latin on a daily basis -- I learned it the old-fashioned way -- with Wheelock. My son is learning Latin at the sixth-grade level and has made great progress using this series -- which seems to me to be the age level they are best for. If I were teaching high school or college Latin this would NOT be my series of choice. But my son has just finished the first book (I'm buying the second one today for summer study) and has a pretty good knowledge of nouns, adjectives, all four conjugations in the present, future and imperfect tense, some present tense irregular verbs, and knows to be careful with prepositions. He's also got a pretty good understanding of Roman mythology, and domestic life thanks to this series.

The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization

Average customer rating:

The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization
A necessary resource for the student of early christianity
"Condensed" version still weighy volume
A good starting place
Quite helpful----with at least one serious exception.

The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature
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The Oxford History of Greece & the Hellenistic World

ASIN: 0198601654

Book Description

CIVILIZATION IN ALL ITS ASPECTS For more than 2000 years the civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome have captivated our collective imagination and provided fresh inspiration for every age. Now, for the first time, The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization distils the fruits of recent scholarship to provide the most up-to-date and authoritative survey of the Greek and Roman worlds in all their aspects. Drawing on the latest edition of the highly praised Oxford Classical Dictionary, this new illustrated Oxford Companion offers unrivalled access to the latest knowledge of classical civilization, making it the perfect guide for general readers interested in learning more about the very bedrock of Western culture. HISTORY AND POLITICS the events, achievements, and personalities of 2500 years of history of Greece and Rome and their immediate neighbours, as well as the underlying issues from democracy to propaganda, famine and finance, Hellenization and mercenaries, population, and slavery ETHICS AND MORALS, LAW AND PUNISHMENT individual philosophers and their schools, and ethical issues, such as corruption; prison; torture; abortion; attitudes to animals, to wealth, or to warfare; suicide; freedom; and intellectual or religious intolerance SOCIAL AND FAMILY LIFE food and drink, cookery, houses, and dress; childbirth; sexual behaviour, including rape and incest; and broader social topics such as status, kinship and the family, ritualized friendship, tourism, and urbanization LANGUAGE, LITERATURE, ART AND SCHOLARSHIP writers and poets, orators and playwrights, literacy and books, archives and education, literary genres, painting and sculpture, and the writing of history RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY Greek, Roman, and Egyptian beliefs, cults, and rituals, from oracles and curses, to sacred prostitution, together with their attendant deities and mythological creatures, mingle with Judaism and early Christianity TECHNOLOGY, SCIENCE, AND MEDICINE the birth of the scientific method in experiment, and all manner of discovery , exploration, treatment, and theorizing on disease, geography, climate, astronomy, mineralogy, navigation, sanitation, vivisection MAJOR ESSAYS and BRILLIANT ILLUSTRATION Specially designed articles on the individuals and themes of central importance provide a useful overview for the modern reader from Alexander to Xenophon, Cicero and Hannibal; and from the histories of Greece and Rome, to Christianity, and architecture. Imaginatvely chosen and striking illustrations underline further the sophistication and complextity of classical civilization, making the ancient world dramatically present.

Customer Reviews:

The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization.......2003-06-19

A stunning revelation to the classical world . this book is more of a classical hero than herakles was

A necessary resource for the student of early christianity.......2001-04-09

This book is indispendable for a person like myself who got a degree in world religions in general, and early christianity in particular, and who, therefore, lacks an in-depth background in the secular history of Greece and Rome. I hesitated a while before writing a review because I had not read a sufficient number of articles. However, the time has come for comment. I find the shorter articles informative, but at times leaving me waanting more. The longer ones are more satisfying. I was tempted to buy the longer version of The Companion (The Oxford Classical Dictionary), but decided against it after reading the reviews. I am happy with my decision. If I want more information on a topic, I can find it elsewhere. I find that The Companion covers more topics than I need, but I enjoy randomingly paging through the book, selecting what strikes my fancy before going to sleep at night. This is a treasured resource that enhances my understanding of the milieu of early christianity.

"Condensed" version still weighy volume.......2000-09-01

The publication of The Oxford Classical Dictionary, weighing in at 1,640 pages and $99.95 price tag may have told many people more about the Ancient Greek and Roman worlds more than they wanted to know. To them, this companion will be of prime interest.

To pare down the selections, the same editors who updated the dictionary relied on an all or nothing rule: either an entry would be reproduced in its entirety, or it would be dropped. Of the 40 Claudius in the original dictionary, only the Roman emperor popularized in "I, Claudius" made the cut. In addition, the editors kicked the type size up a point or two and recast the longer essays into a one-column layout with the background lightly shaded. Even at half the price, it still offers nearly 800 pages and contains a selection of maps and color photographs not found in its larger brethern. For those who were reluctant to shell out a C-note, this is an appealing alternative.

A good starting place.......2000-02-27

As a standard introductory reference text, I found the Oxford Companion invaluable as a good beginning point to pursue any line of inquiry regarding the classical age. Weighing in at nearly 800 pages, this book is a weighty tome, not something to carry around lightly. Navigation within the book is easy with appropriate cross referencing, such as pointing you at GAIUS when you look up Caligula and warning you of other articles relating to the same subject. Also classical sources are clearly cited and I have followed a number of these up in standard translations to check their opinion. Spread throughout the book are numerous colour and black & white photographs of archaeological evidence and other artefacts. Also throughout the volume and are a number of special reference entries of extended length discussing in more detail important people, places or themes. Such as sections on: Homer, painting and slavery. As in any extended encyclopaedia project, the number of contributors is huge. Inevitably, given the small amount of space available for each section, each item is unlikely to offer a full range of scholarly thought, opinion and research. As with any reference text, it should be used as a starting point for research, not as a substitute.

You cannot please everybody all the time. On balance I think you have to accept that a work of this nature is going to throw up anomalies or controversial entries which not all readers will agree with. It is the nature of academic pursuit of knowledge to encounter disagreements or views which do not match your own. I very much doubt if hardly any of the contributors listed, would completely agree with each other on the articles which they have written. This is the nature of encyclopedias.

Particularly the arena of classical history, is prone to heated debate over the most simplest of issues, due to the lack of evidence or the interpretation of what exists, such as it is. In short there are no `facts' only interpretation.

Quite helpful----with at least one serious exception........1999-07-13

With one serious exception (see below) I have thus far found The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization to be quite helpful.

Having purchased this book as a supplemental reference for my study of biblical literature, I was shocked, angered and disappointmented upon coming across the article on "Christianity," by Philip Rousseau.

The fact that Rousseau describes Christianity in unflattering terms is not nearly so significant as the fact that his "facts" appear poorly researched and loosely strung together in an obvious attempt to vilify Christianity. Summarizing the life and ministry of Jesus in terms of "the wonder-working holy man," for example, does gross injustice to both Jesus' teachings and miracle claims.

Rousseau presents Christianity as little more than an arrogant thief and counterfeiter, stealing ideas and images first from the Jews and then from secular philosophers. In so doing, Rousseau completely disregards the concept of God's progressive revelation and the fact that no one has a patent on the truth. The New Testament books, the last of which was written prior to the close of the first century A.D., are unanimous in their presentation of the gospel as God's secret plan now unveiled for all peoples in all places. Whether for good or ill, Christian apologists later sought to convey infinite Christian truths using common finite imagery. Indeed, some did try to "blend" Christian thought and secular philosophy, although even in such cases enlightenment and not deceit was their primary motivation.

By no means an historian, I am nonetheless familiar enough with "Christian history" to know that Rousseau's arguments are full of holes. Not only is his article biased in the extreme, it is also just plain wrong at several critical points. I purchased The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization for its presentation---and, unavoidably, its interpretation---of the facts. I did not know, however, that I would also be treated to a radical reinterpretation of history. Rousseau's taking extreme liberty with the facts reveals his personal ideology and makes him guilty of the very thing of which he accuses Christianity: " . . . what had happened was that the controlling element in a whole society had changed its mind about the meaning of history and experience" (pg. 158).

Political Speeches (Oxford World's Classics)

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Political Speeches (Oxford World's Classics)
Cicero
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Defence Speeches (Oxford World's Classics)
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ASIN: 0192832662

Book Description

'Two things alone I long for: first, that when I die I may leave the Roman people free...and second, that each person's fate may reflect the way he has behaved towards his country.' Cicero (106-43 BC) was the greatest orator of the ancient world and a leading politician of the closing era of the Roman republic. This book presents nine speeches which reflect the development, variety, and drama of his political career,among them two speeches from his prosecution of Verres, a corrupt and cruel governor of Sicily; four speeches against the conspirator Catiline; and the Second Philippic, the famous denunciation of Mark Antony which cost Cicero his life. Also included are On the Command of Gnaeus Pompeius, in which he praises the military successes of Pompey, and For Marcellus, a panegyric in praise of the dictator Julius Caesar. These new translations preserve Cicero's rhetorical brilliance and achieve new standards of accuracy. A general introduction outlines Cicero's public career, and separate introductions explain the political significance of each of the speeches. Together with its companion volume, Defence Speeches, this edition provides an unparalleled sampling of Cicero's oratorical achievements.

Pocket Oxford Classical Greek Dictionary

Average customer rating:

Good first glassical greek dictionary
Okay...
Okay
Far better than the Langenscheidt
An okay dictionary, but inferior to the Langenscheidt

Pocket Oxford Classical Greek Dictionary

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Oxford Grammar of Classical Greek
Teach Yourself Ancient Greek Complete Course
Athenaze: An Introduction to Ancient Greek Book I
Introduction to Attic Greek
Greek: An Intensive Course

ASIN: 0198605129

Book Description

The Pocket Oxford Classical Greek Dictionary is a brand new elementary level dictionary, ideal for learners of Classical Greek at school and university level. It covers over 20,000 Greek words and phrases in clear, user-friendly translations, and over 4,000 English words in common usage. The dictionary also offers help with Greek to English sentence construction and prose composition, and provides grammatical guidance with tables of irregular verbs and a glossary of grammatical terms. Additional information includes a list of numerals, a guide to pronunciation, and a map of Greece.

Customer Reviews:

Good first glassical greek dictionary.......2006-11-11

Very helpful for first year greek student. This is not a comprehensive dictionary but for the price you can't beat it. You could spend the $150 for a comprehensive one but I don't reccommend it.

Okay..........2006-08-02

Pros:
- good, easy to read format
- selection of ancient greek names
- comprehensive greek section
- map of ancient Greece
- good alphabet table in front

cons:
- the english to greek section is VERY short and not very comprehensive.
- the section on grammer/pronunciation is only three pages long

All in all, an okay buy.

Okay.......2006-06-04

This dictionary is worth something because it has English to Greek entries. The section with Greek names and proper nouns is also quite useful for pronunciation and reference.

That being said, the lack of verb principal parts makes this dictionary rather weak. For students of Attic Greek it is essential to have access to every verb form. What could be a five star product gets only three for this "bush league" error.

Far better than the Langenscheidt.......2005-04-19

Finally we have a classical Ellenic dictionary that has an English to Greek section and a complete section on numerals. Exactly why every text on the classical Greek language seems to shy away from the simple matter of counting from one to ten has always been a mystery to me, but now the point is moot. I got this book in the mail a week ago and can now toss my Langenscheidt in the trash.

An okay dictionary, but inferior to the Langenscheidt.......2004-09-28

The POCKET OXFORD CLASSICAL GREEK DICTIONARY is one of the few compact classical Greek dictionaries available today. However, I found it an inferior offering.

The dictionary is derived from the dictionary of Karl Feyerabend, but it presents a significantly reduced version. Considering that even Feyerabend's dictionary didn't contain every word used in beginner texts such as Xenophon's ANABASIS, it is unfortunate that it has even been been slimmed down here. While called a "pocket" dictionary, the Oxford dictionary is actually the size of a trade paperback and somewhat hefty. Instead of giving a large classical Greek - English section, the editors have instead chose to include an English - Greek section, which will be of very limited use for most students. Bizarrely, while the English - Greek section contains proper names, students wondering how a Greek proper name should be rendered in English will get no assistance from this dictionary. Finally, I found the page layout poor. Oxford has issued this dictionary in the same "trendy" style as its modern language and Latin offerings, which does the student a disservice because it packs fewer words and definitions onto each page, and is difficult on the eyes.

This dictionary does have two positive features. The list of principal parts for 101 irregular verbs is a great help for first-semester university students. There is a list of numerals (cardinals, ordinals, and adverbs) which may also prove helpful to some. This might, however, result in some unnecessary duplication for students who also carry around the fine OXFORD GRAMMAR OF CLASSICAL GREEK, which has the same information.

I would recommend the LANGENSCHEIDT POCKET GREEK DICTIONARY over this Oxford dictionary. It presents Feyerabend's dictionary in its entirety, merits the title "pocket dictionary", and has a page layout that is much more usable. Furthermore, its binding is superior and will survive several years of travel in a bookbag, unlike the common paper binding of the Oxford dictionary.

While the POCKET OXFORD CLASSICAL GREEK DICTIONARY may be suitable for schools, I do not think it meets the needs of university undergraduates. Classics students looking for a pocket dictionary would be well advised to get the Langenscheidt dictionary instead. And if one is serious about classical Greek, saving's one pennies for Liddel and Scott's Greek Lexicon is a good idea in any case.

Oxford Latin Course: Part III (2nd Edition)

Average customer rating:

excellent

Oxford Latin Course: Part III (2nd Edition)
Maurice Balme , and James Morwood
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Oxford Latin Course, Part II (2nd edition)
Oxford Latin Course, Part I (2nd edition)
Oxford Latin Reader
Wheelock's Latin Reader, 2e: Selections from Latin Literature (The Wheelock's Latin Series)
501 Latin Verbs (501 Verbs Series)

ASIN: 019521207X

Book Description

In this four-volume North American edition, the order of declensions has been changed to correspond to customary U.S. usage, and the spelling has been Americanized. In addition, it offers full-color illustrations and photographs throughout Parts I and II and an expanded Teacher's Book with translations for each part. Parts I-III are built around a narrative detailing the life of Horace, now based more closely on historical sources, which helps students to get to know real Romans--with their daily activities, concerns, and habits--and to develop an understanding of Roman civilization during the time of Cicero and Augustus. The new Part IV is a reader consisting of extracts from Caesar, Cicero, Catullus, Virgil, Livy, and Ovid. The second edition of the Oxford Latin Course has been carefully designed to maximize student interest, understanding, and competence. It features a clearer presentation of grammar, revised narrative passages, new background sections, more emphasis on daily life and on the role of women, a greater number and variety of exercises, and review chapters and tests. Each chapter opens with a set of cartoons with Latin captions that illustrate new grammar points. A Latin reading follows, with new vocabulary highlighted in the margins and follow-up exercises that focus on reading comprehension and grammatical analysis. A background essay in English concludes each chapter. Covering a variety of topics--from history to food, from slavery to travel, these engaging essays present a well-rounded picture of Augustan Rome. The Oxford Latin Course, Second Edition offers today's students and teachers an exceptionally engaging and attractive introduction to the language, literature, and culture of Rome--one that builds skills effectively and is exciting to use.

Customer Reviews:

excellent.......1998-12-06

this textbook is as good as it gets. unusually attractive, generously illustrated, yet at the same time highly challenging, the oxford course is a major success at textbook writing. after studying this course one gets a comprehensive view of roman history and culture, in addition to a knowledge of the language. and the narrative about horace at the center of this course reads like a novel.

The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion (Oxford Paperback Reference)

Average customer rating:

The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion (Oxford Paperback Reference)
Useful Reference, Fascinating Read

The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion (Oxford Paperback Reference)

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Greek | Classics | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature
The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization (Open University Set Book)
The Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World (Oxford Paperback Reference)
The Oxford Classical Dictionary
Anthology Of Classical Myth: Primary Sources in Translation : with Additional Translations by Other Scholars and an Appendix on Linear B sources by Thomas G. Palaima

ASIN: 0192802895

Book Description

The Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion offers a fully rounded and highly authoritative point of access to all aspects of ancient religious life and thought. Dr Simon Price and Dr Emily Kearns, area advisers for the third edition of the Oxford Classical Dictionary, have come together to select, revise, edit, and in some cases wholly recast, a large number of key entries from OCD to create this handy, accessible reference work on mythology and religion in the Graeco-Roman world. Bringing to the attention of a wider audience the authority and scholarly rigour of OCD, the Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion provides students, teachers, and general readers with an affordable comprehensive, and wide-ranging A-Z reference source. The Dictionary is unique in that in addition to Greek myths and Roman festivals it covers Greek and Roman religious places, monuments, religious personnel, divination, astrology, and magic, and also contains many entries on Judaism and Christianity in Greek and Roman times.

Customer Reviews:

The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion (Oxford Paperback Reference).......2006-11-17

Exelent for the novise. Very recomendeble

Useful Reference, Fascinating Read.......2004-05-13

No doubt this book was intended as a reference work and will be used as such by those who purchase it, for the most part. But, being the rather rum fellow that I am, I read the book from cover to cover and must report that it makes a dashed good read, at least for the peculiar bunch who, like myself, enjoy reading through such compilations. Just one fascinating example: I should never have known, had I not read through the work, that, according to ancient folklore, "A man who sees them becomes possessed by nymphs. They punish unresponsive lovers...." or that "Around 400 BC inscriptions mention Archedemus from Thera....who withdrew to a cave to devote himself to a monklike worship of the Nymphs." Clearly, entries like these prove rich ground for pondering male/female relations. And this is just one example! The perfect book for the Classicist near you....or perhaps yourself.

The Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World

Average customer rating:

Stunning Compendium
greatly improved
Stripped down

The Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World

Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

General | Europe | History | Subjects | Books

Reference | Historical Study | History | Subjects | Books

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Similar Items:

The Oxford Dictionary of Classical Myth and Religion (Oxford Paperback Reference)
The Oxford Classical Dictionary
The Oxford Companion to Classical Literature
The Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization (Open University Set Book)
The Oxford Companion to Philosophy New Edition

ASIN: 0192801457

Book Description

Authoritative, wide-ranging, and unrivalled in its accessibility, The Oxford Dictionary of the Classical World is a concise and lucid survey of life in ancient Greece and Rome, spanning 776 BC - AD 180, from the first Olympic games to the death of Marcus Aurelius. An approachable, user-friendly abridgement of the highly acclaimed Oxford Classical Dictionary, this book offers over 2,500 A-Z entries on aspects of life in the classical world, from politics, medicine, philosophy, art, and architecture, to history, myth and religion, mathematics, and literature, with biographical entries on the important individuals - both real and mythological - of the period. Appendices include a clear and comprehensive account of money and its value in the classical world; a chronology of events across Greece and the east and Rome and the west; maps; and a two-way quick-reference gazetteer. This invaluable resource for students and teachers of classics and classical civilization is affordable and quick and easy to use, as well as being a fascinating guide for anyone interested in learning more about the foundations of Western culture.

Customer Reviews:

Stunning Compendium.......2005-12-05

For once you can judge a book by its cover: both are stunning! I know of no other scholar who has so magically wedded a meticulous eye with a continual consideration for the lay reader. Reading this book you feel the presence of an author who truly loves the Classical World, in its broadest sense: encompassing literature, history, philosophy, and sociology. Whether you've always loved the classics or always hated them, I urge you to read this book.

greatly improved.......2005-12-05

This is not a stripped down version of the old book, but contains much new material and much that has been rewritten. It is an indispensable reference book, not only for the classical student but for the general reader, and marvelous value. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Stripped down.......2005-10-29

An abbreviated version of the Oxford Classical Dictionary, stripped of many entries and all bibliographies. This is now the third repackaging of the OCD (also appearing as Oxford Companion to Classical Civilization). The price is lower, but a waste of money. Save your pennies and buy the real thing.

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