FAQ Papyrological Research

Written by Pascal Känzig, Marius Fleischli and Mareike-Beatrice Stanke

The present tool is intended to assist interested readers and seminar participants in gaining a solid introduction to research and in approaching it as efficiently as possible. A fundamental distinction is made between sources and secondary literature. This distinction is reflected in separate bibliographies of sources and secondary literature (cf. question 9) and must be borne in mind throughout the subsequent explanations. The following classification serves to clarify this distinction:

1. Sources (underlying ancient texts)

1.1 Documentary sources (papyri, ostraca, inscriptions etc.)

1.2 Literary sources (works by Homer, Virgil etc.)

1.3 Legal sources (Corpus Iuris Civilis, Institutiones Gai etc.)

2. Secondary literature (works that address the sources or a research topic in a systematic and analytical manner)

For fundamental questions concerning the introduction to research, reference may be made to Introduction.

For research specifically concerning papyri, the resource Papyri may be consulted. For Roman legal sources and ancient literary sources, Roman Legal Sources and Other Materials is recommended. Inscriptions may also be relevant to legal research.

Finally, the most important questions concerning the use of secondary literature are addressed under Secondary Literature.