This special classification scheme for Greek and Latin literature was first devised, organized, and put into use at the University of Illinois Library in 1923. Over the years, names and numbers were added and inserted, paper deteriorated and copies wore out through use until a complete and systematic revision became an absolute necessity. This has been accomplished through a thorough checking of the shelflist and, in many instances, also, the Main Card Catalog. In the process of revision the authors' names have been made to correspond with the forms used for catalog entries, many individual titles and their work marks have been added, and the special listings of titles by voluminous authors have been moved to their proper alphabetical places within the scheme.
This revision of the Classics schedule lists only the author numbers and the special work marks for titles which are actually represented in the University of Illinois Library shelflist. Because the Library's collection of Classical literature is very large and therefore contains representative editions of nearly all known Classical titles, the scheme does provide for most of the Classical authors by or about whom books are now available. In order that they may be recorded in the master copy and incorporated into future revisions, all additions to this scheme are to be submitted for approval by the Catalog Librarian.
| Latin authors are classified in 871. |
| Greek authors are classified in 881. |
Note: carefully the use of the period to separate elements of the call number.
| 870 | General works on Latin literature |
| 871A | Latin authors Anonymous works in Latin (For book no. use Cutter two-figure table, with the initial of the distinctive word of the title, and work mark from the name of the editor.) |
| 872 | Collections of Latin prose or poetry |
| 873-874 | not in use |
| 875 | Medieval and modern Latin literature, 500 A.D. - date (Use decimals .1 - .7 as in Dewey 879, with .8 for Collections and .9 for History and criticism. Class complete works of authors and works not belonging under the forms .1 - .7 under 875.) |
| 876-878 | not in use |
| 879 | Classical literature-History and criticism. (This is used to cover works treating both Latin and Greek authors or literature) |
| 879.8 | Collections of both Latin and Greek literature. |
| 881 | Greek authors, Byzantine authors |
| 885 | Modern literature in the Ancient Greek language |
| 889 | Literature in medieval and modern Greek (Byzantine period, A.D. 527 to 1453) |
Examples
| Homer | 881 H8 1642 |
881 H8 1897 |
| For a set, use the earliest date. | ||
| If there are two sets of the same year, the second, third, etc. will be marked by a final letter after the date, e.g.: | ||
| 881 H8 1969 |
881 H8 1969a |
881 H8 1969b |
| Before 1948, a superior number was used following the date to distinguish between editions of the same date, e.g.:; | ||
| 881 H8 1932 2 |
||
| Where this system has already been established for a particular number, retain it. | ||
| If only one work of an author is extant, treat it as "complete works." | ||
Examples
| Homer in English by Bryant | 881 H8.Eb |
| a. Always add the initial of the translator. If no translator is found, add the date. | |
| Homer in English by Pope | 881 H8.Ep |
| b. If there is more than one edition by the same translator, add the date. | |
| 2nd edition of Pope's Homer | 881 H8.Ep 1884 |
| c. If two translators have the same initial, add a second letter. | |
| Prescott's Homer | 881 H8.Epr |
| These translations may be without notes or have notes for a beginner learning the language, etc. | |
Examples
| Conat's Aristophane et l'ancienne comedia Attique | 881 A7.Yc |
| Dignan's Idle actor in Aeschylus | 881 A2.Yd |
| Scholia of Homer by Dindorf | 881 H8.Yd |
| A second and other criticism by the same author is indicated by the figures 2, 3, 4, etc. Enter paraphrases under Y. Scholia are classed in Y. | |
Example
| Autenrieth's Homeric dictionary | 881 H8.Za |
Fragments and selections are marked with X and are arranged by year.
Example
| Plato on Poetry edited by Penelope Murray | 881 P5.X 1996 |
If the author's works are only fragments, i.e. nearly all are lost, they are treated as complete works. Selections of Cicero are provided for in a special table.
| a. Translations of fragments and selections: add the language letter as in complete works, thus: | |
| Translations into English of Selections of Plato | 881 P5.X.Ed |
| Add translator's initial as in complete works. For other selections by same translator, add figures 2, 3, etc. | |
| 871 O8.X.Gb2 |
|
| b. If selections are nearly or practically complete works, classify as complete works. Selections of a part of an individual work are classed with the individual work, e.g.: Books 1-6 of the Iliad will go with the Iliad. | |
| a. If no editor is given, arrange by date. | ||
| Homer's Iliad | 881 H8i 1687 |
881 H8i 1829 |
| b. When an editor is given, omit the date and add editor's initial. These editions will file following the dated editions without an editor. | ||
| Homer's Illiad, ed. by Bruce | 881 H8i.b |
|
| Homer's Illiad, ed. by Schmidt | 881 H8i.s |
|
| c. Another edition by Bruce: | ||
| 881 H8i.b 1897 |
||
| d. For several editions by the same editor with varying titles , use 2, 3, etc. | ||
| Bryant's translation of the Iliad | 881 H8i.Eb |
| Pope's translation of the Iliad | 881 H8i.Ep |
| Pope's translation of the Iliad, another edition | 881 H8i.Ep 1902 |
| Prescott's translation of the Iliad | 881 H8i.Epr |
| German tr. by Schmidt of Iliad | 881 H8i.Gs |
| Spanish tr. by Le Sage of Iliad | 881 H8i.Sl |
| Hugo's tr. of Odyssey | 881 H9o.Fh |
| Do not use: | 881 H8i.X |
for a part of the Illiad. |
For the bibliography of an individual work, add V after the initial letter of the work, followed by the initial of the compiler.
| N.Y. Pub. Lib. bibl. of editions of Aeneid | 871 V9a.Vn |
| Dindorf's Homeric Iliad Scholia | 881 H8i.Yd |
| Leaf's Companion to the Iliad | 881 H8i.Yle |
| Sniderfs Homer's Iliad, a commentary | 881 H8i.Ys |
| Schmidt's Dictionary of the Iliad | 881 H8i.Zs |
| Latin | Greek | |
| General works | 870 | 880 |
| Collections | 872 | 882 |
| Anonymns | 871A | 881A |
Use regular Cutter numbers and take the work mark from the editor. Take book mark from distinctive word of title.
Detailed tables for individual classical authors are available with the Classics Cataloger, the Catalog Librarian and the Assistant Catalog Librarian.
The Library acquires on standing order one copy of each title published in the Loeb Classical Library. These are classified in either 871L82 or 881L82 and the Cutter is for the particular classical author, with a workmark for the title of the individual work.