Dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
only be gained from a systematic work by putting together the statements contained in many different parts of the work, while, in a Dictionary, a connected
view of their history is given from the earliest to the latest times under the
respective words. The same remark will apply to numerous other subjects.
Some subjects have been included in the present work Which have not usually
been treated of in works on Greek and Roman Antiquities. These subjects
have been inserted on account of the important influence which they exercised
upon the public and private life of the ancients. Thus, considerable space has
been given to the articles on Painting and Statuary, and also to those on the
different departments of the Drama. There may seem to be some inconsistency
and apparent capriciousness in the admission and rejection of subjects, but it is
very difficult to determine at what point to stop in a work of this kind. A
Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, if understood in its most extensive
signification, would comprehend an account of every thing relating to antiquity.
In its narrower sense, however, the term is confined to an account of the public
and private life of the Greeks and Romans, and it is convenient to adhere to
this signification of the word, however arbitrary it may be. For this reason
several articles have been inserted in the work which some persons may regard
as out of place, and others have been omitted which have sometimes been improperly included in writings on Greek and Roman Antiquities. Neither the
names of persons and divinities, nor those of places, have been inserted in the
present work, as the former will be treated of in the " Dictionary of Greek and
Roman Biography and Mythology," and the latter in the " Dictionary of Greek
and Roman Geography."
The subjects of the woodcuts have been chosen by the writers of the articles
which they illustrate, and the drawings have been made under their superintendence. Many of these have been taken from originals in the British Museum,
and others from the different works which contain representations of works of
ancient art, as the Museo Borbonico, Museo Capitolino, Millin's Peintures de
Vases Antiques, Tischbein's and D'Hancarville's engravings from Sir William
Hamilton's Vases, and other similar works. Hitherto little use has been made in
this country of existing works of art, for the purpose of illustrating antiquity. In
many cases, however, the representation of an object gives a far better idea of
the purposes for which it was intended, and the way in which it was used, than
any explanation in words only can convey. Besides which. some acquaintance
with the remains of ancient art is almost essential to a proper perception of the
spirit of antiquity, and would tend to refine and elevate the taste, and lead to a
just appreciation of works of art in general.
M r. George Long, who has contributed to this work the articles relating to
Roman Law, has sent the Editor the following remarks, which he wishes to
make respecting the articles he has written, and which are accordingly subjoined
in his own words.
"The writer of the articles marked with the letters G. L. considers some
4 "apology necessary in respect of what he has contributed to this work. He has
" never had the advantage of attending a course of lectures on Roman Law, and
" he has written these articles in the midst of numerous engagements, which left
" The woodcuts have been executed by Mr. John Jackson.