Historical Dictionary of Ancient Greek Philosophy

by Anthony Preus

Overview

The ancient Greeks were not only the founders of western philosophy, but the actual term "philosophy" is Greek in origin, most likely dating back to the late sixth century BC. Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Euclid, and Thales are but a few of the better-known philosophers of ancient Greece. During the amazingly fertile period running from roughly the middle of the first millennium BC to the middle of the first millennium AD, the world saw the rise of science, numerous schools of thought, and—many believe—the birth of modern civilization.

This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Ancient Greek Philosophy covers the history of Greek philosophy through a chronology, an introductory essay, a glossary, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 1500 cross-referenced entries on important philosophers, concepts, issues, and events. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Greek philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442246393
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	02/12/2015
Series:	Historical Dictionaries of Religions, Philosophies, and Movements Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	540
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Anthony Preus is Distinguished Teaching Professor at Binghamton University, where he has taught since 1964. He has been Master of College-in-the-Woods since 2000. He is also Secretary of the Society for Ancient Greek Philosophy.

Table of Contents

Editor’s foreword
Acknowledgments
Citations and Abbreviations
Chronology
Introduction
The Dictionary
Glossary
Bibliography
About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Students will find a great benefit in the bibliography, which contains not only references to the dundamentally scholarly works for a given topic, but also a preliminary discussion on using standard research tools… the Historical Dictionary of Ancient Greek Philosophy offers convenient access to a broad range of considerations that are essential to an historically sensitive study of ancient philosophy. No doubt it would have been especially welcomed and extensively utilized by the present reviewer had it been available when he began studying Greek philosophy in college.

Aestimatio: Critical Reviews in the History Of Science

Students will find a great benefit in the bibliography, which contains not only references to the dundamentally scholarly works for a given topic, but also a preliminary discussion on using standard research tools… the Historical Dictionary of Ancient Greek Philosophy offers convenient access to a broad range of considerations that are essential to an historically sensitive study of ancient philosophy. No doubt it would have been especially welcomed and extensively utilized by the present reviewer had it been available when he began studying Greek philosophy in college.

Aestimatio: Critical Reviews In The History Of Science

The second edition of this useful dictionary by Preus—last reviewed in 2008—covers not only Hellenic philosophy but also its development through the Hellenistic period and imperial Rome and into the Byzantine survivals of Greek philosophy. The bulk of the work comprises short, alphabetized entries that cover a fairly comprehensive list of the historical figures encountered in Hellenic philosophy as well as entries giving information about important cities. Its most useful aspect is providing wonderful conceptual entries, typically listed under a transliterated Greek spelling followed by the Hellenic spelling and linked to other concepts through numerous see and see also references. The entries reference the relevant primary texts, and the discussions of philosophical concepts trace developments through different philosophers. The glossary is well organized and links Hellenic and English terms. Preus provides a lengthy, carefully constructed bibliography that is an excellent resource for further research. His introductory article is a cogent, brief summation of the history of Hellenic philosophy for those first approaching this topic area, but the real strength of this work is that it functions as a highly effective tool to use in conjunction with the primary sources. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic audiences.

Choice Reviews

[T]his is a very full and a very useful reference book, an excellent starting point for any study of ancient Greek philosophy.

Reference Reviews

The second edition of this useful dictionary by Preus—last reviewed in 2008—covers not only Hellenic philosophy but also its development through the Hellenistic period and imperial Rome and into the Byzantine survivals of Greek philosophy. The bulk of the work comprises short, alphabetized entries that cover a fairly comprehensive list of the historical figures encountered in Hellenic philosophy as well as entries giving information about important cities. Its most useful aspect is providing wonderful conceptual entries, typically listed under a transliterated Greek spelling followed by the Hellenic spelling and linked to other concepts through numerous see and see also references. The entries reference the relevant primary texts, and the discussions of philosophical concepts trace developments through different philosophers. The glossary is well organized and links Hellenic and English terms. Preus provides a lengthy, carefully constructed bibliography that is an excellent resource for further research. His introductory article is a cogent, brief summation of the history of Hellenic philosophy for those first approaching this topic area, but the real strength of this work is that it functions as a highly effective tool to use in conjunction with the primary sources. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic audiences.

Choice

The second edition of this useful dictionary by Preus—last reviewed in 2008—covers not only Hellenic philosophy but also its development through the Hellenistic period and imperial Rome and into the Byzantine survivals of Greek philosophy. The bulk of the work comprises short, alphabetized entries that cover a fairly comprehensive list of the historical figures encountered in Hellenic philosophy as well as entries giving information about important cities. Its most useful aspect is providing wonderful conceptual entries, typically listed under a transliterated Greek spelling followed by the Hellenic spelling and linked to other concepts through numerous see and see also references. The entries reference the relevant primary texts, and the discussions of philosophical concepts trace developments through different philosophers. The glossary is well organized and links Hellenic and English terms. Preus provides a lengthy, carefully constructed bibliography that is an excellent resource for further research. His introductory article is a cogent, brief summation of the history of Hellenic philosophy for those first approaching this topic area, but the real strength of this work is that it functions as a highly effective tool to use in conjunction with the primary sources. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All academic audiences.

CHOICE

Preus provides a lucid introduction to the eras covered, a helpful prefatory note on Greek to English transliteration, a glossary with English equivalents or translations, and a carefully developed bibliography including cautiously selected Web sites. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty/researchers.

Vol. 45 No. 6 (February 2008) CHOICE

Students will find a great benefit in the bibliography, which contains not only references to the dundamentally scholarly works for a given topic, but also a preliminary discussion on using standard research tools… the Historical Dictionary of Ancient Greek Philosophy offers convenient access to a broad range of considerations that are essential to an historically sensitive study of ancient philosophy. No doubt it would have been especially welcomed and extensively utilized by the present reviewer had it been available when he began studying Greek philosophy in college.

Aestimatio: Critical Reviews in the History Of Science

...a useful resource on the major philosophers, some less well-known but still significant thinkers, competing schools of thought, and their approaches and concepts. Following a substantial introduction to the field and summary of the transmission of ancient Greek philosophy to later periods, cross-referenced entries span "abstraction" to "Zoroastrianism." The dictionary includes an extensive reference list organized by major general works, and major authors by historical period; a chronology; notes on Greek-to-English transliteration; and a glossary.

Reference and Research Book News

...useful....This is a fine work that is essential for all universities...

March 2008 American Reference Books Annual

...recommended for academic libraries...

Booklist

Preus provides a lucid introduction to the eras covered, a helpful prefatory note on Greek to English transliteration, a glossary with English equivalents or translations, and a carefully developed bibliography including cautiously selected Web sites. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through faculty/researchers.

Vol. 45 No. 6 (February 2008) Choice

...recommended for academic libraries...

Booklist

...a useful resource on the major philosophers, some less well-known but still significant thinkers, competing schools of thought, and their approaches and concepts. Following a substantial introduction to the field and summary of the transmission of ancient Greek philosophy to later periods, cross-referenced entries span "abstraction" to "Zoroastrianism." The dictionary includes an extensive reference list organized by major general works, and major authors by historical period; a chronology; notes on Greek-to-English transliteration; and a glossary.

November 2007 Reference and Research Book News