Page:Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (1870) - Volume 1.djvu/1114

 A New Classical Dictionary of Biography, Mythology, and Geography. Partly based on the 'Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.' By Dr. William Smith. Eighth Edition, with 750 Illustrations. 8vo. cloth, 18s.

THE old Classical Dictionaries having become obsolete, from the vastly increased information which the researches of modern scholars have attained on historical subjects, this Dictionary is presented to the student as embodying the accurate particulars which recent discoveries have arrival at, respecting the manners, customs, history, and literature of antiquity.

The work contains articles on the most important names—Biographical, Mythological, and Geographical—occurring in the Greek and Roman classics.

The Biographical portion comprehends the departments of History, of Literature, and of Art. All names of note are included, up to 476, and a few remarkable ones beyond that epoch. The Literary articles occupy considerable space, and embrace all Greek and Roman vriters whose works either are extant, or, though lost, have exercised an important influence on learning. The best modern editions of the works of the several authors are indicated at the end of the articles relating to them. The history of Ancient Art has also a large space devoted to it.

In the Mythological articles, care has been taken to exclude all indelicate allusions; and the Greek and Roman Mythology are kept distinct, by treating separately of the Greek divinities under their Greek names, and the Roman under their Roman names — a method adopted by modern authorities, both here and on the Continent, and calculated to remove and prevent many errors and misconceptions.

In the Geographical portion have been embodied all the latest discoveries of ti'avellers relating to the identification of modern localities with ancient sites.

The work will also be found of great use to Biblical Students in elucidating points connected with the Groography of the Scriptures, and explaining the numerous allusions to classical subjects contained in the Sacred Writers.

The Illustrations have reference to the Mythological, Biographical, and Geographical articles, and will, it is believed, add considerably to the value and usefulness of the work.

A Smaller Classical Dictionary of Biography, Mythology, and Geography. Abridged from the Larger Dictionary. Illustrated by 200 Engravings on Wood. By Dr. William Smith. New Edition. Crown Svo. cloth, 7s. 6d.

Tms work is designed for junior students, and contains so much of the subjects of the larger Classical Dictionary as is necessary for understanding the Greek and Roman Classics generally read in schools. It is more adapted, in size as well as in price, to younger pupils; and, for their benefit, not only has the quantity of the syllables of each name been carefully marked, but the genitive cases have been inserted. A new and pleasing feature is introduced into this volume, viz. the illustration of tho Mythological articles by drawings from ancient works of art. These will give the young beginner a more vivid and adequate conception of the symbols and figures typical of the deities and heroes than he could possibly obtain in any other manner; and will thus enlist his interest in the objects of ancient Greek and Roman worship.

A Smaller Dictionary of Grreek and Roman Antiquities. Abridged from the Larger Dictionary. By Dr. . Illustrated by 200 Engravings on Wood. New Edition. Crown Svo. cloth, 7s. 6d.

THIS work, intended to illustrate the classical authors usually read in schools, exhibits the results of the labours of modern scholars in the various subjects included under the general term of Greek and Roman antiquities. Such information, contained in the larger Dictionary of Antiquities, as is not suited to junior students, is here omitted; and whatever articles are susceptible of it have been illustrated by woodcuts from ancient works of art.

The book, however, is designed not only for school use, but for the general English reader who, although unacquainted with the ancient classics in the original, frequently needs information on points connected with Greek and Roman antiquities. The woodcuts are calculated to give a correct idea of the numerous objects described, of which but a vague notion could be conceived from the most minute verbal description; and these cuts have the advantage of authenticity, being taken exclusively from ancient inscriptions, paintings on vases, gems, coins, and pictures found at Pompeii, as well as from actual relics of antiquity still existing. The pupil thus acquires a knowledge of the forms of the various kinds of ancient armour and weapons, instruments of music, apparatus for cooking and banqueting, articles of dress, plans of houses, &c.

The Appendix consists of extensive tables of Greek and Roman coins, weights, and measures; the years corresponding to the Olympiads, the calendar, &c.

London: JAMES WALTON, and JOHN MURRAY.