Academic Resources
Libraries
The University library system holds nearly five million printed works, centered in Firestone Library, one of the largest open-stack libraries in the world. Most books and journals relevant to classical literature and ancient history are in the stacks on the library's third floor, where three study rooms are reserved for the use of graduate students. In each of these there is ample desk space for reading, writing, and storing books in use. These rooms also contain current issues of periodicals and a working collection of essential reference material, including texts and important commentaries; standard epigraphical, numismatical, and papyrological collections; encyclopedias; and basic works on history, literature, and law.
The University also has collections of rare books and manuscripts, ancient coins and papyri, and ancient works of art. Students are encouraged to consult these, and their curators welcome inquiries. The Institute for Advanced Study also has an exceptionally complete collection of squeezes of Greek inscriptions.
Prentice Library
Prentice is a non-circulating reference library used by faculty and students of the Department of Classics and related programs. It is located in Room 143 East Pyne.
Books must not be removed from the library and all books should be returned to the shelves after use. Exept for an occasional meeting, the room is available throughout the day and evenings, seven days a week, for reading and consultation.
It is expected that Firestone Library will remain the primary study space for all graduate and undergraduate students. Prentice should be used as a supplementary resource only, both with regard to books and computer facilities.
Lectures and Colloquia
The Department frequently invites eminent scholars to teach here for a semester or a year. Recent visitors have included Philippe Borgeaud, Richard Hunter, Leslie Kurke, Fergus Millar, James Porter, Pietro Pucci, Barry Strauss, and Richard Talbert. Thanks to the Council of the Humanities and the Program in the Ancient World, the Department has also been able to host distinguished short-term visiting fellows such as Alessandro Barchiesi, Florence Dupont, Michael Frede, Don Fowler, Glenn Most and Keith Hopkins. Enthusiasm for our guests and their fresh perspectives has been very high, and we intend to continue inviting visitors of equally great interest.
Numerous colloquia, lectures, and seminars on classical subjects are held throughout the year. In addition to visitors invited by the Department, a series of lectures is jointly sponsored by the Department and the Program in the Ancient World. The Program in Classical Philosophy, the Group for the Study of Late Antiquity, and the Hellenic Studies Committee also sponsor particularly strong programs of lectures and seminars in their areas. These occasions are open to everyone.