How to do research in Classics
Library resources for researchers working on Ancient Greek and Latin Studies
START WITH GOOD KEYWORDS
Topic-specific keywords will help improve your results in a general multidisciplinary database like Google, Google Scholar, HOLLIS, or Academic Search Premier.
Add keywords like these to your search:
- Historical events - “Punic wars”
- Authors and texts - Ovid Metamorphoses
- Document collections - Oxyrynchus papyri
KEY DATABASES
The best tool for your project may be a specialized search engine, also known as a database. These databases are subject-specific or format-specific search tools:
L'Année Philologique: Bibliography of the Classical World (via HarvardKey) – The top database for journal articles and other scholarship in this field. Includes many articles in English as well as other languages.
Oxford Bibliographies Online: Classics (via HarvardKey) – Nearly 400 bibliographical articles identify and describe the key works of classical scholarship on everything from Anaxagoras to Zeus.
Dig Deeper
Inter Libros – this research guide for Classics provides a list of top databases for full-text Greek and Latin works, dictionaries, histories, art, and inscriptions.
Databases for Classics and Medieval Studies – explore the full list of Harvard Library databases in this subject category.
CONNECT WITH US
Steve Kuehler, the library liaison to Classics, is available to support researchers via email or in-person consultation.
- Some Harvard Library locations will be closed or have special hours for Commencement, Thursday, May 26. Please check the Library Hours page for specifics. Ask a Librarian and chat hours will remain as usual.
- Most Harvard Library locations will be closed Monday, May 30 and Tuesday, May 31, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Ask a Librarian and chat service will be closed on these dates.
- If you're experiencing an ongoing technical issue when you attempt to access library materials with your HarvardKey during these times, please report it to Library Technology Services.
Chat
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Chat is intended for brief inquiries from the Harvard community.
Reach out to librarians and other reference specialists by email using our online form. We usually respond within 24 hours Monday through Friday.
Meet
Talk to a librarian for advice on defining your topic, developing your research strategy, and locating and using sources. Make an appointment now.
These services are intended primarily for Harvard University faculty, staff and students. If you are not affiliated with Harvard, please use these services only to request information about the Library and its collections.