Classical Studies

Classical studies – or classics – is an umbrella term for all disciplines that study the cultures of classical antiquity and the early history of the Near East and Eu­rope, with a particular focus on linguistic and material heritage. Because of the heterogeneity of these disciplines, it is difficult to make generalisations about the development of open access in classical studies. Nonetheless, a move towards open access publishing has taken place in the various sub-disciplines of classical studies in recent years. For example, Heidelberg University Library and Propylaeum – the Specialized Information Service Classics, together with representatives of the offices for the protection of monuments (Landesdenkmal­ämter) of the German federal states and the professional associations in the field of classical studies in Germany, have developed strategies for digital publishing in archaeology (see Mainzer Thesen zum Open Access Publizieren in der Archäologie). And in Egyptology, ancient history, and classical philology, a number of important journals and book series are now published open access. Of note here, for example, is the project Digital Classics Online, which was started by scholars of ancient history at the University of Leipzig. Its outputs also include the creation of the series Digital Classics Books.

As of March 2024, the Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) listed 2274 titles from the area of classical studies under subjects such as archaeology, ancient history to c 500 CE, classical history/classical civilisation, etc. The OAPEN Library listed over 2024 titles from the field of classical studies (as of March 2024). 

The open access publication platform Propylaeum eBOOKs, which is provided by Heidelberg University Library, makes scholarly monographs from the fields of Egyptology, ancient history, Byzantine studies, classical archaeology, classical philology, medieval and neo-Latin philology, and pre- and early history available in open access. The works are either first-time publications (gold open access) or self-archived digital versions of monographs published elsewhere (green open access). The service, which is free of charge, is addressed to classical studies scholars worldwide. Also worthy of note is the series Berlin Studies of the Ancient World published by Edition Topoi.

Subject portals and platforms

• Propylaeum – Specialized Information ServiceClassics: an information and service portal for classical studies operated by Heidelberg University Library and the Bayerische Staatsbibliothek (Bavarian State Library, BSB)

Databases and the like

• PropylaeumSEARCH: Propylaeum’s central search portal, via which subject bibliographies, specific subject sections of relevant library catalogues, and full-text data sources can be simultaneously searched 
• iDAI.objects arachne: the central object database of the German Archaeo­logical Institute (DAI) and the Archaeological Institute of the University of Cologne; it is also part of the portal iDAI.world.

Image Databases

• Beazley Archive Pottery Database: Operated by the Classical Art Research Centre (CARC) at the University of Oxford, this is the world’s largest photo­graphic archive devoted to ancient Greek pottery.
• Corpus Vasorum Antiquorum: a database operated by the Classical Art Research Centre (CARC) on behalf of the Union Académique Internationale (UAI), via which over 400 digitized catalogues of ancient pottery from 24 countries can be made freely available.
• Virtual Catalogue of Roman Coins (VCRC): contains images and descrip­tions of coins from the Early Republic up to the end of the 4th century A.D.