Thesaurus Linguae Graecae

The Thesaurus Linguae Graecae (TLG) is a database of Greek texts from dating from 8th century BCE to the end of the Byzantine era (1453). A portion of the database may be accessed for free. In  order to access all available texts, an institutional subscription through a university library is needed. Kenyon students may access the proxy server via this link.

Find a specific text

1. In the menu bar on the home page, click FULL CORPUS (Subscription required).

2. In the search bar, begin typing the Latinized spelling of the author’s name or the title of the work and the database will predict your selection.

3. Once the author or work appears in the search results, click on the small red book icon to access the available texts.

Search for a Word

1. In the menu bar on the home page, click FULL CORPUS (Subscription required).

2. A new set of menu options will now appear at the top. Click on TEXT SEARCH.

3. With SIMPLE underlined, and Word Index selected, type in the Greek word. Click GO.

   • Results include all words with that string of letters and every text in which that string of letters is found.

   • Click on the word in one of the texts, and at the right side of the page, you will see the word’s parts of speech, and various lexica for its definitions.

4. With SIMPLE underlined, and Lemma selected, type in the Greek word. As you type, the TLG  will predict for you the dictionary forms of words that you may be looking for. Select the dictionary form that you want. Click GO.

   • Results include all instances of that word in every form and part of speech.

Search for a PHRASE

1. In the menu bar on the home page, click FULL CORPUS (Subscription required).

2. A new set of menu options will now appear at the top. Click on TEXT SEARCH.

3. With PROXIMITY underlined, a search of two to three words can now be conducted. The same rules as above apply. A search using the Word Index or Lemma functions can be initiated. Click GO.

   • Results include all instances in which your words are grouped together in a text.

   • Why would you want to do this? It allows you to track down textual quotations and common phrases.