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Objective - This study examined the literature of classical (Greek and Latin) philology, as represented by the journal Transactions of the American Philological Association (TAPA), to determine changes over time for the types of materials cited, the languages used, the age of items cited, and the specificity of the citations. The overall goal was to provide data which could then be used by librarians in collection development decisions. Methods - All citations included in the 1986 and 2006 volumes of the Transactions of the American Philological Association were examined and the type of material, the language, the age, and the specificity were noted. The results of analyses of these citations were then compared to the results of a study of two earlier volumes of TAPA to determine changes over time. Results - The analyses showed that the proportion of citations to monographs continued to grow over the period of the study and accounted for almost 70% of total citations in 2006. The use of foreign language materials changed dramatically over the time of the study, declining from slightly more than half the total citations to less than a quarter. The level of specificity of citations also changed with more citations to whole books and to book chapters, rather than to specific pages, becoming more prevalent over time. Finally, the age of citations remained remarkably stable at approximately 25 years old. Conclusion - For librarians who manage collections focused on Greek and Latin literature and language, the results can give guidance for collection development and maintenance. Of special concern is the continuing purchase of monographs to support research in classical philology, but the retention of materials is also important due to the age and languages of materials used by scholars in this discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MS. Florent. Riccardianus 904 contains a fragment of a Latin translation of Homer's Iliad (book I, vv. 1-525) written by Bartolomeo Della Fonte (1446-1513). This text, which is edited here with the few accompanying glosses and scholia, appears to be a revision of the version made by Leontius Pilatus in the early 1360's. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article cites the annotations of Cardinal Nicolaus Cusanus and his learned secretary Giovanni Andrea Bussi on the "Asclepius," a research which has been carried out as part of a project on the Hermetic tradition financed by an Assegno di Ricerca of the Istituto Universitario Orientale, Naples. It is said that their annotations can be found in the Latin manuscript Brussels, Bibliothèque Royale Albert 1er 10054-56, where about half of the notes concerned with the "Asclepius" alone. Most part of the annotations is classified as marginal glosses, noting though that there are some interlinear glosses and some textual corrections which show the Cardinal's sensitivity to philological issues.

The article discusses the books by Thomas Linacre which focus on the construction of north-European Latin grammars during the 16th century. The author stresses that the terms used by Linacre in expressing Latin grammar greatly differs from other humanist grammarians. They include etymology, figures of speech, nominals, word construction and word description. It states that Linacre's grammars address advanced students with the introduction of new terminology and the use of traditional terms. Linacre is known for his contributions in enhancing Latin philology.

The article presents a course of outline applicable for all levels in high school. For the eighth and ninth grades, Latin is discussed focusing on how the Roman matrons met by themselves and voted to give their ornaments to the treasury to pay a vow that had been made to Apollo and on the story of Horatius at the bridge thus adding details to the study of the Roman's roads and carriages. For the ninth and tenth grades, their discussion about Latin is focused on the study of the influence of Rome upon Europe, while they continue on reading the conversations of Socrates simplified from Xenophon to get at Athenian thought in Greek lesson. For the twelfth grade pupils, they will focus on the prominent writers of poetry and fiction as well as scientific prose beginning from the time of Schiller.

The article presents a course of study in Latin for the eighth and ninth grades pupils. In their discussion of "The Epitaph of a Fair Roman," the full account of the Roman funeral is added so that the pupils may comprehend the ideas underlying these ceremonies. In this discussion the students will be able to see that when a Roman died, all the ancestors of the family went to the funeral each wearing his robes of office and bearing the civic wreaths or other symbols of honor he had won, and how the funeral train halted in the Forum to hear recounted the brave and noble deeds of the dead Roman and his ancestors. The description of the funeral ceremonies and the lessons adapted from Viri Romae will follow next.