Secondary Literature

Each participant receives a document containing useful bibliographical references from the Chair. Fundamental works with general information on the seminar’s subject matter are often already digitised in the seminar apparatus in various folders (cf. question 3). For more specialised literature, the first step is to check whether the work is available in the Chair’s library. The procedure is described in question 4.

If a work cannot be located there, it is highly likely to be available in the Zentralbibliothek or the University Library of Law. Through the Swisscovery research portal, one can enter the bibliographic details and search for a copy. Some physical sources are held neither in the ZB nor in the RWI. In such cases, it may be worthwhile to visit the University Library of Greek and Latin Studies, the Egyptological Library, the University Library of Classical Archaeology, the University Library of Asian and Oriental Studies, or the University Library of History at UZH. The Chair of Prof. Babusiaux also maintains a library containing works primarily on Roman law and ancient legal history. Those interested in visiting the Nörr Library should contact the relevant Chair directly. The Chair of Prof. Thier is responsible for the Alte Juristische Bibliothek (AJB), located next to our offices, which contains valuable historical works of jurisprudence. Again, anyone interested in visiting the AJB should contact the relevant Chair.

It can sometimes be worthwhile to search for relevant articles in journals and commemorative publications on ancient topics. Further information on this, including an example of how to search for secondary literature, is provided below.

It may happen that a significant work is in a foreign language, often Italian, French, or Spanish. If a listed work (specific to papyri, cf. question 6) is written in a language one does not command and for which no translated version is indicated in the research portals, the following approach is recommended:

1. First, consult the index or table of contents of the book for terms that appear relevant to the research (for example, foreign words such as aphaeresis). One can then follow the reference to the relevant passage and attempt to understand it independently.
2. Alternatively, the passage can be translated using an online tool such as Google Translate or DeepL.
3. Where necessary, the Chair (lst.alonso@ius.uzh.ch) may also be asked to provide a translation of a section.

It should be noted that a work may be published in a foreign language and thus bear a foreign-language title, but nevertheless contain essays in various languages, including German or English.

As a general rule, if a work is not available online, in the Chair’s library, or in an easily accessible library, the Chair (lst.alonso@ius.uzh.ch) should be contacted. Normally, in cooperation with the responsible faculty member, the Chair will submit a request for interlibrary loan (more precisely: delivery) of the work via Swisscovery and arrange payment of the associated fees.

A guide for carrying out interlibrary loans independently is provided below (cf. further study).

Numerous websites contain valuable tools and articles on topics pertaining to antiquity. The following is a selection of recommended sites:

• Der Neue Pauly  (DNP) provides an extensive encyclopaedia on antiquity. As the quality of entries varies, it is advisable to consult other encyclopaedias as well. Under “Erweitertes Abkürzungsverzeichnis” on the homepage one also finds abbreviations of ancient authors and work titles.
• The Encyclopedia of Ancient History (EAH) may be used in addition to DNP for looking up individual terms.
• ETENA offers an overview of relevant academic texts on ancient studies.
• L’Année philologique (APh) serves to search for works in the field of classical studies, such as essays and articles in journals and commemorative publications. Some entries may include abstracts and/or published reviews. It is also advisable to employ foreign-language search terms when conducting literature research.
• Gnomon is another database for literature research, alongside L’Année. Since its data are sometimes drawn from publishers’ announcements, more recent information may be found there than in L’Année. Again, it is recommended to also use foreign-language search terms.
• The Internet Archive is always recommended for locating old or no longer available websites.
• The Savigny Zeitschrift (SZ), which contains valuable articles on legal history, is accessible via the UZH VPN.

Example: The seminar handout lists the work ERDMANN W., Zum gamos agraphos der gräco-ägyptischen Papyri, in: Festschrift P. Koschaker III, 1939, 224–240. The primary item to be located is therefore the honouring volume in which the relevant article is contained. If this volume was not available in the Chair’s library, the approach explained below should be followed. As this is an article from an honouring volume, the website L’Année philologique is particularly suitable. Indeed, by entering the title of the article one finds a full entry that includes the complete book title with the exact page numbers of the article (here: Festschrift P. Koschaker zum 60. Geburtstag überreicht von seinen Fachgenossen, II–III: Römisches Recht: Andere antike Rechte und Nachleben des römischen Rechts. Ed., Weimar; Böhlau, 1939. 498, 410 & 452 p. 1 pl. 54 M.) as well as an abstract of the article.

By searching for this title or keywords on Swisscovery, the available copies are displayed. In this case, the first result is already appropriate, since the honouring volume itself (and not merely a review of it) is listed, and it is apparently available in the Zurich area. It can then, if no digital version is evident, be borrowed in physical form, and the article read on the indicated pages.

Anyone wishing to independently request a book via interlibrary loan may proceed as follows:

1. Log in to the Swisscovery website by clicking “Sign in” at the top right. Select the institution “UZH und ZB Zürich,” click “Personal account Switch edu-ID,” and enter your personal login details.
2. Search for the desired work using the search function. The filters on the left may be used to refine the search. The advanced search can also be activated (next to the search bar at the top).
3. By clicking on the appropriate result, under “Further request options” two blue boxes appear for ordering. Using the “loan” box one can determine the place of delivery, either one’s own address – under “Home address” (already registered through login) – or an easily accessible library. Using the “Digitization” box, it is also possible to request only a copy of the relevant pages. Both copy delivery and interlibrary loan may incur costs. For information on fees, cf. “Pricing swisscovery”.

In cases of uncertainty, one may directly contact the Helpdesk of the Zentralbibliothek.

It is, of course, also possible in some cases to order literature via interlibrary loan from libraries and networks outside Switzerland. However, the procedures and fees may differ. It is therefore strongly recommended to consult the Chair first in such cases to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Several handbooks on Juristic Papyrology are available, providing a concise introduction to the subject. These include:

• LIPPERT SANDRA, Einführung in die altägyptische Rechtsgeschichte, Berlin 2008.
• MITTEIS LUDWIG/WILCKEN ULRICH, Grundzüge und Chrestomathie der Papyrusurkunde, 2 vols., Leipzig 1912.
• RUPPRECHT HANS-ALBERT, Beiträge zur juristischen Papyrologie, Stuttgart 2017.
• SEIDL ERWIN, Ptolemäische Rechtsgeschichte, 2^nd ed., Glückstadt 1962.
• SEIDL ERWIN, Rechtsgeschichte Ägyptens als römischer Provinz, Sankt Augustin 1973.
• TAUBENSCHLAG RAPHAËL, The Law of Greco-Roman Egypt in the Light of the Papyri, 2^nd ed., Warsaw 1955.
• WOLFF HANS JULIUS, Das Recht der griechischen Papyri Ägyptens, 2 vols., Munich 1978 [repr. 2002].