What are some physical reference books/resources that every budding Classicist should acquire?

Question

This question is rather unorthodox for here, so please feel free to decline or pass by...

To keep it brief, a department I consult for will provide approximately $400-500 USD to procure physical copies of primarily Latin and Greek language resources (advanced dictionaries, grammars, lexicons, etc.), in addition to perhaps a book or two covering Classics background if enough funding remains. (LSJ v. OLD, Greek grammars, other valuable books for more advanced study).

The problem is: a) I'm a beginner in both languages, so I really only use the textbooks assigned at present. b) I'm cheap and use all online sources for now.

... I would like to take advantage of this opportunity and not waste what's been made available, so advice would be appreciated. Even a stray thought or two would be welcome.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi Dan,

My name is Sarah and I've been predominantly a Latin tutor for Wyzant since 2017. Two resources that I cannot do without - one Latin and the other Greek - you can find on Amazon, if you're interested.

1) Wheelock's Latin, 7th edition.

(https://www.amazon.com/Wheelocks-Latin-7th/dp/0061997226/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MQJQYAL535V0&keywords=wheelock%27s+latin+7th+edition&qid=1649961796&s=books&sprefix=wheelock%27s+latin+7th+edition%2Cstripbooks%2C58&sr=1-1)

This book has an additional workbook, and at least three other Latin translating sources (Scribblers, Sculptors, and Scribes; 38 Latin Stories and Medieval, Ecclesiastical, and Neo-Latin Sentences) if you wish to translate further in sources that follow Wheelock's Chapters. One of my most valuable and resourceful Latin grammatical sources to date. (It focuses on the grammatical vs. immersion approach to Latin, which is what I prefer.)

2) Athenaze, Books 1 and 2.

((Here's Book 1, 3rd edition): https://www.amazon.com/Athenaze-Book-Introduction-Ancient-Greek/dp/0190607661/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1QFF5PPY8X19W&keywords=athenaze&qid=1649960582&s=books&sprefix=athenaze%2Cstripbooks%2C82&sr=1-1)

Athenaze is mostly Classical / Ancient Greek (not modern) and mixes classical with the Koine in the 3rd edition. (The 3rd edition comes with a workbook; the 2nd edition comes with an answer key. I have had some colleagues swear by the 2nd edition, but the 2nd differs from the 3rd edition in content as well as layout. The 2nd edition also is more expensive. :/ Pick your poison.) I've been working through Book 1 by myself - I would not recommend that. If you do Latin / Greek, I would recommend getting a tutor or taking a college class in these, just because it will make the grammar / pronunciation / accents / syllabification easier to swallow.

There are also a ton of FREE language resources on either Google Books (books.google.com) or on Internet Archive (archive.org). That's where I go "fishing" for resources - either when I'm looking for an out of print book for free or when I'm just randomly searching for another Latin / Grammar / Dictionary book to add to my collection.

Hope this helps! Good luck on your studies!

Answer 2

Hi Dan,

Here are some suggestions:

1. Cambridge Grammar of Classical Greek
2. Cambridge Greek Lexicon
3. The Classical Tradition by Grafton etal.
4. Oxford Classical Dictionary
5. A History of Ancient Greek by Christidis

Those will use up most of the budget.

Best wishes, Christopher