Ancient Mediterranean Epigraphy

Description:

Epigraphy is the study of inscriptions made on stone or other durable materials and as such is one of the principal primary sources for the history of the ancient Mediterranean world. There are millions of surviving inscriptions from the ancient world, written in Greek and Latin as well as in the many other languages spoken in the region. Understanding epigraphy, and having access to epigraphic publications, is essential to ancient history research.

UW–Madison has a strong tradition of epigraphic research and this is reflected in our library collections. Over time, budgetary constraints have meant that the collection has become somewhat patchy. Today, the discipline of epigraphy is revitalized and is a vibrant and productive arena of contemporary research. Moreover, new technologies have enabled the online publication of much epigraphic material.

This project builds on the strengths of UW–Madison’s current holdings by filling gaps in major epigraphic corpora and series, tracking developments in the field by improving regional epigraphic collections (particularly those that deal with the ancient and medieval Greek world), and enhancing the collection by expanding geographical, linguistic, and chronological epigraphic holdings in keeping with current trends in the field.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:

Claire Taylor, Associate Professor of History

CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS:

Julianne Haahr, Librarian for Western European Studies

Todd Michelson-Ambelang, Librarian for Scandinavian Humanities, Classics, and South Asian Studies

CO-INVESTIGATORS:

Marc Kleijwegt, Professor of History

Leonora Neville, Professor of History

Jeremy Hutton, Professor of Classical Hebrew Language and Biblical Literature, Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies

William Aylward, Professor of Classics, Classical and Ancient Near Eastern Studies