Roman Inscriptions 1971–5

Abstract

New discovery (and rediscovery), often through rescue surveys and excavation, has maintained pace in the past five years; and there have been most notable achievements in the assembly of disiecta membra, especially at Ostia. The bulk of publications continues to increase, and more new periodicals have appeared to provide more space—an uncertainly welcome development at a time when the finances of many established publications are insecure (observe the sad disappearance of SEG) and those of purchasing libraries, still more of private ones, are declining. Unless they can be produced at very low cost they will surely tend to block the channels of communication. It is difficult enough to lay hands on much that is produced in any case. With the Greek material Bulletin Épigraphique was more or less abreast to the end of 1974; the issue for 1975 has not yet been received in London or Cambridge at the time of writing: L'Année Épigraphique has fallen badly behind, and Prof. Barbieri cannot be the only reader who would forego the recently-introduced commentaries (I would add the Greek texts too) in order to enable the editors to catch up.