A classical dictionary / containing a copious account of all the proper names mentioned in ancient authors with tables of coins, weights, and measures used among the Greeks and Romans and a chronological table

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

68769

Title

A classical dictionary / containing a copious account of all the proper names mentioned in ancient authors with tables of coins, weights, and measures used among the Greeks and Romans and a chronological table

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A comprehensive reference work detailing ancient proper names, historical anecdotes, and geographical facts from Greek and Roman literature. Featuring expanded Latin terms, detailed tables of ancient coins, weights, and measures, and a chronological timeline from creation to the fall of Rome, this dictionary serves as an essential companion for students and scholars of classical antiquity.

Summary up to 500 words

John Lemprière's *A Classical Dictionary* stands as a comprehensive guide designed to illuminate the proper names found within ancient Greek and Latin literature. Lemprière's primary objective was to provide an accurate and satisfying account of kings, heroes, poets, and geographical locations mentioned in the classics, effectively drawing a vivid picture of ancient times for the modern reader. The work is meticulously structured to serve both students and scholars, offering a divested and clear view of mythology and history without the barrenness of excessive brevity or the insipidness of long, unconnected quotations. The dictionary systematically addresses the lives of philosophers, the hunting of the Calydonian boar, ancient festivals, and Roman laws, enriching these entries with historical anecdotes and geographical descriptions. Lemprière acknowledges his intellectual debts to predecessors such as Pliny, Strabo, Pausanias, and various French scholars, striving to imitate their excellences while avoiding their faults. A distinctive feature of the work is its inclusion of extensive conversion tables, translating ancient Grecian and Roman measures of length, capacity, and weight into English equivalents, alongside detailed valuations of ancient coins in silver and gold. Furthermore, the text includes a chronological table tracing history from the creation of the world to the fall of the Roman Empire, utilizing eras such as B.C., A.D., Olympiads, and the foundation of Rome. Designed specifically for school use, the dictionary features pronunciation guides and careful attention to mythological opinions, aiming to familiarize the student with the ancient situation and extent of kingdoms that no longer exist. By integrating these practical tools with rich narrative content, Lemprière offers a resource that is not only instructive but also entertaining, serving as a reliable companion for those seeking to reacquaint themselves with the important particulars of antiquity erased by time.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg68769.epub

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2026-08-13 10:10 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Reference