Epigraphy and the Historical Sciences

by: Davies, J. Wilkes, J.

Proceedings of the British Academy
Emphasises the value of inscriptions for the study of classical antiquity
Up-to-date information about many current themes in the study of Graeco-Roman history

By far the largest single source of new information about the ancient Greek and Roman world is provided by the flow of newly discovered inscriptions, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity. In order to interpret any inscription we need to be able to apply the knowledge that we already have. On the other hand, inscriptions present the opportunity to gain new knowledge about virtually every aspect of the mix of cultures and societies which we call Graeco-Roman antiquity. This book therefore emphasises the importance of the two-way connections and contributions which link epigraphic studies with the historical sciences as a whole.

Epigraphic information is helping to reshape and extend our knowledge of the religious life, the languages, the populations, the governmental systems, and the economies of the Graeco-Roman world. New techniques and technologies are helping to make epigraphically based information more accessible, whether in terms of public display or in terms of the ever-widening possibilities of information technology. The act of looking at the Graeco-Roman world through the window provided by the epigraphic record offers a distinctive gaze of unique and exceptional value.

Table of Contents
1: Introduction, DENIS FEISSEL (translated by John Davies)
Part 1. EPIGRAPHY AND RELIGION
2: Epigraphy and Greek Religion, Robert Parker
3: Epigraphy and Roman Religion, JOHN SCHEID (translated by John Davies)
Part 2. EPIGRAPHY AND LANGUAGE
4: Greek Epigraphy and the Greek Language, GEORGE PETZL (translated by Stephen Mitchell)
Part 3. EPIGRAPHY AND THE ANCIENT POPULATION
5: Inscriptions and identities of rural population groups in Roman Asia Minor, CHRISTOF SCHULER (translated by Stephen Mitchell)
6: Epigraphy and demography: birth, marriage, family and death, WALTER SCHEIDEL
Part 4. EPIGRAPHY AND GOVERNMENT
7: Epigraphy and the display of authority, JOHN MA
8: From document to document: inscribing Roman official documents in the Greek East, ALISON COOLEY
Part 5. DISPLAY AND PEDAGOGY
9: Epigraphy and the media, ISABEL RODÀ DE LLANZA (translated)
Part 6 EPIGRAPHY AND ECONOMICS
10: Greek epigraphy and ancient economics, ALAIN BRESSON
11: Epigraphy and the economy of the Roman Empire, GIOVANNI SALMERI (translated by John Davies)
Part 7 EPIGRAPHY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
12: Introduction, SILVIO PANCIERA (translated by John Davies)
13: Latin epigraphy and the IT revolution, JOHN BODEL
Part 8 SCHLUSSREDE
14: Listening to stones. Orality and emotions in ancient inscriptions, ANGELOS CHANIOTIS

Epigraphy and the Historical Sciences

by: Davies, J. Wilkes, J.

• ISBN-13: 9780197265062 / 978-0-19-726506-2
• ISBN-03: 0197265065 / 0-19-726506-5
• Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2012