"The Pauly was published in German in 68 volumes and 15 supplementary volumes between 1839 and 1980." "It provides comprehensive coverage of the ancient world from the prehistory of the Aegean (2nd millennium BCE) to late antiquity (600-800 CE). A special section of the encyclopedia is devoted to the reception of the ancient world until the present day and the history of classical scholarship." It covers "all aspects of the ancient world: persons, places, institutions, events, artifacts, technical terms, ideas and concepts etc." It includes coverage of "the interaction between Greek and Roman culture and the neighbouring Semitic, Celtic, Germanic etc. cultures. Many articles are illustrated with maps, site plans, genealogical tables, and black-and white photographs."

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