Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum (CIL) is a Latin term that translates to "Corpus of Latin Inscriptions" in English. It refers to a comprehensive collection and catalog of Latin inscriptions from ancient Rome and throughout the Roman Empire. The Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum is an important resource for scholars, historians, and archaeologists studying the culture, history, and language of the Roman civilization.
The CIL was initially established in the 19th century by Theodor Mommsen, a German classical scholar, as an ambitious project to document and classify all known Latin inscriptions from the Roman period. It aims to provide a systematic and comprehensive compilation of inscriptions found on stone, metal, ceramics, and other durable materials.
The Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum is organized into volumes, each focusing on a specific geographical area or topic, such as Roman Italy, Rome itself, or military inscriptions. These volumes include detailed descriptions, transcriptions, and translations of the inscriptions, along with contextual information such as the location, date, and historical significance.
The CIL has been widely recognized as a fundamental source for studying various aspects of Roman life, including politics, religion, law, social structure, and personal identities. It has played a pivotal role in advancing our understanding of the Roman Empire's history, language, and culture and continues to be an invaluable reference for researchers and scholars in the field.
