Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae
The Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae ( LIMC ) is a comprehensive reference to the ancient mythology in light of their graphical representation ( iconography ). Be treated in addition to the Greek, the Roman and Etruscan mythology, including its manifestations in the peripheral Mediterranean cultures ( " periphera orientalis " and " periphera occidentalis ").
Our knowledge of ancient myths were still very much incomplete if we were to rely solely on the literature ( epic, lyric, tragedy). In many cases, such as to say versions and dating, it can be supplemented by the monumental tradition, especially as this even begins even before Homer and partly in abundance, dates back to late antiquity. These sources, in the various classes of image art and crafts (sculpture, vase painting, wall painting), from the Mycenaean period to be in the LIMC in ( sometimes very ) detailed articles about the word characters ( gods, heroes, and personifications and motifs (such as the judgment of Paris ) ) treated. Tell all pictures are reproduced in motivic order in the plate volumes.
Was supported the development and publication of the lexicon of the Fondation pour le Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae with headquarters in Basel (consisting of Foundation, an international scientific committee and editorial board ). The lexicon has been prepared under coordination of a central editorial office in Basel, with research centers in various countries ( France: LIMC CNRS, Paris Germany: . Universities of Heidelberg and Würzburg). The Fondation was disbanded in 2014, the LIMC archive will be continued by the University of Basel.
The items of the lexicon come from scientists from more than 40 countries. The international character shows itself in the fact that the articles published in several languages , namely English, German, French and Italian.
The work was published from 1981 to 1999 in 9 volumes ( 8 Text and volumes of plates, one index volume; into two sub- volumes) in the Artemis -Verlag Zurich -Munich (now Patmos -Verlag, Dusseldorf ) and a band " Supplementum 2009 " (2 part volumes, 2009).
A database of relevant literature that has appeared after the completion of the respective products was performed in Heidelberg.
Bibliographic notice
Fondation pour le Lexicon Iconographicum Mythologiae Classicae (ed.): Lexicon iconographicum mythologiae classicae ( LIMC )
Artemis & Winkler Verlag, Zurich / Munich from 1981 to 1999. ISBN 3-7608-8751-1
Artemis Verlag, Dusseldorf, 2009. ISBN 978-3-538-03520-1