Audio-Visual Materials in Classics

Abstract

Audio-Visual Materials in Classics Janice F. Siegel I. Archaeology 354 II. Ancient World Civilizations 355 III. Classical Civilization: General; Classical Mythology; Classical Philosophy; Classical Theater 359 IV. Greek Civilization: General; Greek Art and Architecture 370 V. Greek Literature (in translation): General; Epic Poetry; Greek Drama 384 VI. Greek Language Instruction (including texts in Greek): Dramatic Performances; Music; Grammar, Vocabulary, and Poetics; Materials Keyed to Specific Greek Textbooks 389 VII. Roman Civilization: General; Roman Art and Architecture; Etruscans; Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae; Roman Culture in Other Lands 392 VIII. Latin Literature (in English): General; The Poets; Roman Drama 413 IX. Latin Language Instruction: Texts (in Latin); Dramatic Performances; Music; Grammar, Vocabulary, and Poetics; Materials Keyed to Specific Latin Textbooks 415 X. The Classical Legacy: In Our Language Today; In Our Culture; In Shakespeare 427 XI. Classical Tradition 432 This survey revises that of Spring 2010 (CW 103.3) and includes the most up-to-date information available at press time. As always, products new to this year’s survey are marked with “>”. Items specific to Greece or Rome may be found in their respective categories. The “Ancient World Civilizations” and “Classical Civilization” categories also feature programs that concern ancient Greece and/or Rome, but in a larger context. “Classical Legacy” features programs focusing on the modern influence of all things Greek and Roman. “Classical Tradition” lists modern adaptations of classical works (dramatic or artistic treatments of ancient works may be found in the category of the original work under the sub-categories “dramatic performances” or “cinematic treatments”). Every effort has been made to distinguish items with similar names. Multiple distributors are listed for each product whenever possible to ensure continued access, since any product may be discontinued by any distributor at any time. The Digital Revolution continues! DVDs have all but replaced VHS tapes but many distributors now even offer video streaming (with free previews) as an alternative to DVDs. And advances in audio engineering have allowed producers to make available for inexpensive download whole recordings and even individual tracks of longer recordings, both old and new. Now enthusiasts can download a favorite ode from Sophocles’ Antigone (in the original Greek), a speech by Cicero (in Latin), or even a language lesson for less than the price of a cup of coffee. (Most distributors of such products offer audio previews, so visit their Web sites for a listen). Entire [End Page 351] books are as downloadable as songs nowadays, and electronic book readers are popping up all over. Even consumers without personal computer devices can choose the “playaway” format, a pre-loaded, battery-operated, digital audiobook (a generally more expensive yet feature-filled option available through several distributors). In fact, almost any book published nowadays comes in e-reader or otherwise-downloadable format, and it is simply impossible to include every title in this survey. Databases once distributed on CD-ROM now offer on-line subscriptions. Slide companies have either gone out of business altogether, digitally converted their inventory, or (like museum stores) chosen to make their products available through image brokers such as www.davisartimages.com or www.saskia.com. Readers are encouraged to visit these sites and others like them if they are unable to find individual images or sets previously listed in this survey as distributed by independent companies. Some producers (History Channel, for example) have now reis-sued in DVD format many videos that were previously discontinued because of their obsolete VHS format. Many of these programs also continue to be made available by educational materials clearinghouses introduced in our last survey (companies such as School Media Associates) in both VHS and DVD formats. Although many individual programs are thus once again available, consumers are encouraged to check if a particular program is available as part of a larger DVD set, which often offers a better value if the other programs in the set are also of interest. (Sometimes, the price of a new DVD set is less than the price of the original single VHS program). Never before have more titles in Classics been available, with more innovative distribution methods, from a more varied array of vendors. Because this short print survey can only be...