This book advances our understanding of the place of Latin inscriptions in the Roman world. It enables readers, especially those new to the subject, to appreciate both the potential and the limitations of inscriptions as historical source material, by considering the diversity of epigraphic culture in the Roman world and how it has been transmitted to the twenty-first century. The first chapter offers an epigraphic sample drawn from the Bay of Naples, illustrating the dynamic epigraphic culture of that region. The second explores in detail the nature of epigraphic culture in the Roman world, probing the limitations of traditional ways of dividing up inscriptions into different categories, and offering examples of how epigraphic culture developed in different geographical, social and religious contexts. It examines the 'life-cycle' of inscriptions - how they were produced, viewed, reused and destroyed. Finally, the third provides guidance on deciphering inscriptions face-to-face and handling specialist epigraphic publications.

Explores how Latin inscriptions were used in the Roman world and makes them accessible to modern students.

This book explores how Latin inscriptions were used in the Roman world and makes them accessible to students today.

This is a much-needed textbook for students of epigraphy and an up-to-date reference work for scholars. Central to the work are its photos. Professor Gordon presents 100 Latin inscriptions arranged in chronological order and illustrated by the best available photographs. The inscriptions, which range in date from the sixth century B.C. to A.D. 525, are collated with standard texts and are accompanied by translations and full annotation. They are preceded by an original introduction dealing with important aspects of Latin epigraphy and followed by several appendices on such special topics as Roman numerals. The photographs of these inscriptions reveal the close relationship between Latin inscriptions and our present-day type fonts by way of the humanistic hand of fifteenth-centry European scholars. This book will be of interest not only to students and scholars of epigraphy but to those interested in the history of typography as well.

" In short, this is a reference work of the best kind. For the beginner, it is indispensable. And for those who already know something about its subject matter, the book is in many ways useful, informative, and interesting. We all owe a debt to the author] for undertaking this significant project, and for completing it so well." - Michael Peachin, Classical World " . . . provides invaluable road maps for non-epigraphers faced with passages of inscribed Greek." - Graham Shipley, Bryn Mawr Classical Review Greek inscriptions form a valuable resource for the study of all aspects of the Greco-Roman world. They are primary witnesses to society's laws and institutions, religious habits, and language. This volume provides students with the tools to take advantage of the historical value of these treasures. It examines letter forms, ancient names, and ancient calendars, knowledge of which is essential in reading inscriptions of all kinds. B. H. McLean discusses the classification of inscriptions into their various categories and analyzes particular types of inscriptions, including decrees, honorary inscriptions, dedications, funerary inscriptions, and manumissions. Finally, McLean includes special topics that bear upon the interpretation of specific features of inscriptions, such as Greek and Roman administrative titles and functions.

This book considers how languages, peoples and cultures in the Near East interacted over the millennium between Alexander and Muhammad.