Carleton's Condensed Classical Dictionary

Project GutenbergProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.0

Word count: 287K words
Chapters: 29

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Carleton's Condensed Classical Dictionary by George Washington CarletonAuthor: ,Language: English, Class: DE: History: General and Eastern Hemisphere: The Mediterranean Region, The Greco-Roman World, Release Date: Dec 18, 2013

Editor's review

This is a condensed classical dictionary, and the English original is made available by Project Gutenberg; its entries cover names, places, and mythological and historical figures of the ancient Greek and Roman world. Its value lies in being "condensed": it offers quick reference through concise entries, making it a handy desk aid when reading classical literature or early Western historical texts rather than a systematic textbook. For readers who often encounter Greek and Roman mythology, epic, and historical narrative, having such a condensed dictionary at hand reduces the interruptions of constantly switching to search. Note that a condensed dictionary offers limited information per entry, and its depth and currency cannot compare with modern specialized classical reference works; the book is also entirely in English. It works better as a lightweight reference and background aid, to be kept for casual browsing and consulted as needed rather than read straight through.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who need quick reference while reading Greek and Roman mythology and epic
Students taking courses in Western classical literature or history, as an auxiliary tool
English readers who need to look up ancient Greek and Roman names and places
Enthusiasts who enjoy browsing dictionary-style works and building general classical knowledge

Not a good fit for

Professional classical scholars who need the latest scholarship and detailed references
Readers seeking a Chinese edition of a classical dictionary
Beginners who expect systematic exposition rather than entry-by-entry reference
Readers completely unfamiliar with Greek and Roman background who want no introductory guidance

Reading tips

No need to read straight through; first browse how the entries are organized, then consult as needed when reading classical texts.
While looking up entries, jot down names and places that recur, gradually building your own background list.
Use it alongside original works of Greek and Roman mythology or epic, looking up unfamiliar proper names on the spot.
Bear in mind that condensed entries offer limited information; verify key facts against modern authoritative reference works.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is this dictionary meant to be read from cover to cover?

Not really. It is essentially a condensed reference tool, and the entries lack continuous narrative, so reading it straight through is tedious and hard to remember. A more effective approach is to keep it at hand and consult it as needed while reading Greek and Roman texts, or browse a few entries at random each day to build general knowledge, treating it as an auxiliary tool rather than a main text.

How does it differ from modern classical dictionaries?

This book is condensed, with brief entries that mainly provide basic information on names, places, and mythological and historical figures, and it usually contains no detailed scholarly discussion, references, or the latest research. Modern specialized classical reference works are fuller in depth, currency, and search systems. It is therefore suited to lightweight reference, while serious research still requires modern authoritative reference works.

Is the English hard to read?

As a dictionary, the entries are mostly concise definitions in relatively short sentences, but they involve many proper nouns and classical background, so readers unfamiliar with Greek and Roman names will still find a barrier. It is best to have basic English reading ability and to build background with Chinese books on classical mythology before using this book for reference; it will be more efficient.

Can I use it to prepare for classical studies exams?

It can serve as an auxiliary reference, but should not be the only study material. A condensed dictionary has limited entries and lacks systematic organization and integration of exam points, so it cannot cover the full knowledge framework required for exams. Use course textbooks or systematic lecture notes as the main line and this book as a quick lookup tool for unfamiliar proper names; the two work better together.

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