Citing inscriptions and papyri can be confusing, since what G. H. R. Horsley and John A. L. Lee (1994) stated over twenty years ago is still true, namely, that, although some works have standard abbreviations, there is still a “great deal of inconsistency.” This post will clarify which abbreviations one should use and what format … Continue reading Inscriptions and Papyri
Abbreviations
Livy
The Roman historian Titus Livius (Livy, first century BCE–first century CE) is known for his History of Rome (Ab urbe condita). Because this classic work is Livy’s sole surviving work, some scholars choose to reference the work by Livy’s name alone: (Livy, 2.2) However, to maintain consistency with other ancient references with an identifiable author, … Continue reading Livy
Brown Judaic Studies
Brown Judaic Studies Monograph Series (BJS) is a peer-reviewed monograph series that publishes high-quality, specialized books aimed primarily at a scholarly audience. The first three BJS volumes were published in 1977 by Scholars Press: Tzvee Zahavy’s The Traditions of Eleazar ben Azariah (BJS 2), William Scott Green’s edited Persons and Institutions in Early Rabbinic Judaism … Continue reading Brown Judaic Studies
Abbreviating “Epistle”
The SBLHS 2 recommends that readers use the abbreviation “Ep.” when epistula(e) appears within an abbreviated title (see SBLHS 2 §8.3.14.1). For example: John Chrysostom Ep. carc. Epistula ad episcopos, presbyteros et diaconos in carcere Ep. Cyr. Epistula ad Cyriacum 1 Ep. Innoc. Ad Innocentium papam epistula I 2 Ep. Innoc. Ad Innocentium papam epistula … Continue reading Abbreviating “Epistle”
Dio Cassius
Dio Cassius (a.k.a. Cassius Dio, Dio) was a second-century CE Roman historian. He is best known for his eighty-book Roman History. Because this classic work is Dio Cassius’s sole surviving work, some scholars choose to reference the work by Dio Cassius’s name alone: (Dio Cassius, 1.2) However, to maintain consistency with other ancient references with … Continue reading Dio Cassius
Suomen Eksegeettisen Seuran julkaisuja
The Finnish Exegetical Society publishes the series Suomen Eksegeettisen Seuran julkaisuja (Eng.: Publications of the Finnish Exegetical Society). Following Schwertner (2014), we recommend using the Finnish title for the series and its corresponding abbreviation: SESJ Suomen Eksegeettisen Seuran julkaisuja If for some reason the English must be used, the following abbreviation is appropriate: PFES Publications … Continue reading Suomen Eksegeettisen Seuran julkaisuja
Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies
In the late 1990s, Brill’s Nag Hammadi Studies series became the Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies series. Although volumes under the new name continue the numbering sequence of the original series, we recommend that authors use different abbreviations to distinguish the two series: NHS Nag Hammadi Studies NHMS Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies NOTE: NHS … Continue reading Nag Hammadi and Manichaean Studies
Thucydides
The fifth-century BCE historian Thucydides is known for his History of the Peloponnesian War (Historia belli peloponnesiaci). Because this classic work is Thucydides’s sole surviving work, some scholars choose to reference the work by Thucydides’s name alone: (Thucydides, 2.2) However, to maintain consistency with other ancient references with an identifiable author, we recommend that readers … Continue reading Thucydides
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
Hervormde Teologiese Studies (better known as HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies) is an international, online, open-access journal currently owned by the Netherdutch Reformed Church of Africa. In order to avoid confusing the journal with the Harvard Theological Studies series (abbr. HTS), we recommend the following abbreviation (see SBLHS 2 §§8.4.1, 8.4.2; Schwertner 2014): HvTSt Hervormde Teologiese … Continue reading HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies
La Bible d’Alexandrie and Septuaginta: VTG
Volumes of La Bible d’Alexandrie (Cerf) and Septuaginta: Vetus Testamentum Graecum (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht) can be difficult to cite. The official titles of individual volumes (see, e.g., here and here) include the series name, leaving one to think that one should treat volumes from these series as multivolume works: Cavalier, Claudine. Esther. Vol. 12 of … Continue reading La Bible d’Alexandrie and Septuaginta: VTG
SBL Handbook of Style 