Review

Textbooks, Readers, and References

The Lightmans have produced an affordable and easily accessible biographical dictionary about women in classical antiquity. Drawing upon ancient sources, and referencing the works of modern classical scholars, this work contains 447 brief biographies of women from Sappho of Lesbos in the seventh century B.C. through Constantia and Helena in the fourth century A.D. In the introduction, the Lightmans explain their criteria for inclusion: "...the dictionary does not include every woman mentioned by an ancient author. Rather it includes the women about whom we have something to say. In some manner, these women have made history." While not claiming to be comprehensive, however, this biographical dictionary does contain entries about every major woman in the ancient world. The organization of the entries is consistent throughout the volume. At the beginning of each entry is a headnote containing the woman's name, her dates, her cultural/national identity, where she lived, and a brief phrase describing her. Following the body of each entry are references, both ancient and modern, linked to the bibliography at the end of the volume. The entries themselves are arranged alphabetically. The entries are followed by an alphabetical registry that lists the women in the dictionary and the relationships between them. There is a brief glossary that explains some of the technical terms used in the dictionary (e.g., mina, quaestio). There is also an extensive bibliography, with most entries in English. At the very end is a very complete index.	1
The value of this work lies in its synthesis of sources, many in foreign languages and some difficult to obtain. Readers interested in learning more about a particular woman may consult the bibliographical citations at the end of each entry. Whenever possible, references are made first to ancient authors, and then to the secondary literature. The Lightmans have performed a valuable service by collecting the sources and collating the material in a single, attractively produced volume. This biographical dictionary is easily used and extremely affordable; its use can broaden our knowledge and deepen our understanding of women in the ancient world.	2
California State University, Long Beach   David Hood

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