Posted
March 26, 2025
Category
Library of Latin Texts
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On March 14th, Brepols and the CTLO unveiled the beta version of the completely revamped Library of Latin Texts (LLT), the world’s largest database of Latin (literary) texts. This launch marks the beginning of a comprehensive overhaul of the BREPOLiS Latin databases, designed to enhance your interaction with Latin literature throughout the ages.

A New Data Model

We have designed and implemented a completely new data model for the LLT, in order to make the database easier and more intuitive to navigate.

In the new data model, each work:

  • Can be a part of a collection (e.g. Genesis, part of the Old Testament);
  • Can be related to one or more persons (e.g. Plato’s Timaeus as translated by Cicero);
  • Can have an identifier in one or more reference works (e.g. CPL 4);
  • Can be classified for style, genre, topic, and area of origin.

Stay tuned for our coming series of blog posts, which will highlight some of the features and advantages of this new model.

A New Way of Searching

Not only does the search screen make use of a more standard query syntax, it also offers more options than ever before to construct your own corpus while performing your search.

Thanks to the new data model, you can now apply filters to the results list, not only by author, title, or century, but using a wide range of categories assigned to each work.

Lexicography and the LLT

Clicking on a Latin word now reveals the Instrumenta pop-up, with suggestions for translations and morphological analyses. This tool is based on the BREPOLiS Latin lemmas and is therefore directly linked to the Database of Latin Dictionaries.

For each person and work, the LLT now offers alphabetical and frequential vocabulary lists. These lists will prove invaluable for lexicographical studies, stylistic analyses, questions of authenticity, and many more applications.

About the Beta Version

The beta version is currently limited to the texts ranging from the third century BC up to the second century AD. Over the next three months, regular updates will feature more content as well as updates to the functionality. From July onwards, the new LLT will become the default version of the database.

What’s Next?

We welcome any user of the database to use the feedback button on the homepage of the new LLT. As we progressively update the beta version, further blog posts will highlight specific new features or answer questions we get through the feedback process.