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Research NavigationFind Literature on Western History

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A guide to finding literature on Western History.

Find Books in Japanese on People and Events

Below are resources in Japanese for finding people and events in Western history.

All Periods

  • Shinpen Seiyoshi Jiten  (New Western History Encyclopedia) (book) 
    An orthodox encyclopedia compiled by the Department of European History , Graduate School and Faculty of Letters of Kyoto University.
  • Kadokawa Sekaishi Jiten  (The Kadokawa Encyclopedia of World History) (book) 
    A compact encyclopedia with descriptions of basic historical science concepts.
  • Iwanami-Cambridge Biographical Encyclopedia  (reference book) 
    Contains entries on 15,000 people, primarily from modern history.
  • Sekai Rekishi Daijiten  (Rhetorica: Encyclopedia of World History) (book) 
    Provides descriptions of cultures, historical figures, and events from all parts of the world from ancient times to the present day.
  • Rekishigaku Jiten (Encyclopedia of Historiography) (book) 
    This contains the largest volume of historical encyclopedia as of Japanese.
  • Yamakawa Sekaishi Shoujiten  (Yamakawa World History Encycropedia) (book) 
    Compact and easy to handle world history encyclopedia.
  • Seiyou no Rekishi Kihon Yougoshu  (Terminology of Western History:Ancient-Middle times) (book) 
    Terminological gloss for basic term of Western Ancient-Middle times.
  • Seiyou no Rekishi Kihon Yougoshu  (Terminology of Western History:Early-Modern) (book) 
    Terminological gloss for basic term of Western Early-Modern times.
  • Shintei Sekai Rekidai Ouchou Oumei Souran  (Dynasties of the World, New Edition) (book) 
    Leading bibliography regarding the world-renowned dynasties covering the entire world primarily the West from ancient to modern times. Contains names of ruler, period of rule, genealogy, etc.
  • Iwanami Seiyoujin Jinmei Jiten  (Iwanami Western Bibliographical Dictionary/ expanded Edition) (book) 
    Leading bibliography containing more than 25,000 world-known public people around the world.
  • Concise Gaikoku Chimei Jiten  (Concise World Geographical Encycropedia, 3rd edition) (book) 
    A handy encyclopedia on major geographical names in the world.

Ancient History

  • Kodai Oriento Jiten  (Encyclopedia of Ancient Near Eastern History) [The Society for Near Eastern Studies in Japan] (book) 
    The first encyclopedia for ancient near eastern studies written by Japanese scholars. Includes general remarks at the beginning of each theme that are beneficial for the new student.
  • Zusetsu Kodai Oriento Jiten  (Dictionary of the Ancient Near East) [The British Museum edition] (book) 
    A handy one-volume dictionary treating historical figures and events from the ancient near east.
  • Kodai Romawo Shiru Jiten   (World of Ancient Rome) (book) 
    An encyclopedia with comprehensive coverage of ancient Rome. Includes a list of references and an index.
  • Who was who in the Greek World  (book) 
    A bibliography of approximately 1000 historical figures in ancient Greek containing their personal histories, achievement, references.
  • Who was who in the Roman World, 753 BC-AD 476  (book) 
    A bibliography of approximately 1000 historical figures in ancient Rome containing their personal histories, achievement, references.

Middle Ages

  • Seiyo Chuseishi Jiten  (Middle Ages) (book) 
    An encyclopedia covering Europe in the Middle Ages with information on many fields including politics, economics, literature, science, and thought. Includes an index of names and an index of places and events.
  • Seio Chuseishi Jiten: Kokusei to Shakai Soshiki   (Western Europe in the Middle Ages II: Emperors and Empires) (book) 
    Middles Ages history textbook used at German universities. Also useful as a dictionary.
  • Seio Chuseishi Jiten 2: Kotei to Teikoku  (Western Europe in the Middle Ages II: Emperors and Empires) (book) 
    Middles Ages history textbook centering on the Holy Roman Empire.
  • Yoroppa Chusei Shakaishi Jiten  (Medieval Society in Europe) (book) 
    An encyclopedia covering 154 fields such as agriculture, economics, practices and customs, and culture in the Middle ages.
  • Seiyou Kishidou Jiten Kaiteiban (Dictionary of Chivalry, 3rd edition) (book) 
    Encyclopedia on coat-armor, weapons, harness, battle, legend, nights, etc.

Church History

  • Kirisutokyou Yougo Jiten  (Terminological dictionary to Christianity) (book) 
    Simple and easy terminological dictionary. Also contains Islamic terminology.
  • Katorikku Daijiten (Catholic Encyclopedia) (book) 
    An Encyclopedia covering theory, history and culture of Christianity. Also contains vast commentaries on Catholicity and non-Catholicity.
  • Shin Katorikku Daijiten  (New Catholic Encyclopedia) (book) 
    Comprehensive revised edition of "Catholic Encyclopedia"
  • Kirisuto Kyou Yougo, Doku-Wa Shoujiten  (German-Japanese Christian Terminology) (book) 
    Simple and easy terminological dictionary by German index.
  • Roma Kyoukou Jiten  (Pope Encyclopedia) (book) 
    Encyclopedia on the successive Popes, their personal histories and achievements, church systems, etc.
  • Iwanami Kirisutokyou Daijiten  (Iwanami Dictionary of Christianity) (book) 
    Comprehensive and novel terminological dictionary on Christianity as a single volume.

National Histories

  • Eibeishi Jiten  (Kenkyusha Dictionary of British and American History) (book) 
    Indexes about 4,500 people and events from British and American history with detailed descriptions of each.
  • Igirisu no Seikatsu to Bunka Jiten  (Life and Culture of Britain) (book) 
    A dictionary covering the customs and politics of Britain. Includes a wealth of references as well.
  • Igirisu Rekishi Chimei Jiten  (Dictionary of England Place- Name) (book) 
    Etymological dictionary of historical places in England.

Find Books in Foreign Languages on People and Events

Below are resources in foreign languages for finding people and events in Western history.

Ancient History

  • Oxford Classical Dictionary  (book) 
    Indexes about 6,000 people and events from ancient Greece and Rome.
  • Brill's New Pauly   (book) 
    Dictionary on ancient Greece and Rome as well as ancient Europe.
  • Brill's New Pauly  (Library subscription database) 
    Online dictionary on ancient Greece and Rome as well as ancient Europe.

Middle Ages History

National Histories

Britain Germany Austria France Italy
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