Die Arbeitswelt des Epigraphikers. Historische Hilfswissenschaft und ihre Bedeutung für Geschichte und Wissenschaft – ein r mischer Erfahrungsbericht

The column Blick in die Historikerwerkstatt“ (A Glance into the Historian’s Workshop) brings us on a journey to Germany’s oldest historical institute abroad, the German Historical Institute (DHI), in Rome, Italy. Since the institute was founded in 1888, historians have been actively at work, researching the history and development of German-Italian relations. Dr. Eberhard J. Nikitsch with the support of his student assistant Paul Sebastian Moos carries out intercultural research, working especially with epigraphic sources. In their report Die Arbeitswelt des Epigraphikers. Historische Hilfswissenschaft und ihre Bedeutung für Geschichte und Wissenschaft – ein r mischer Erfahrungsbericht“ (The Working World of the Epigrapher. The Historical Auxiliary Sciences and Their Significance for Historical and Academic Studies – a Roman Experience Report), the two historians outline their work, describe the various steps an epigrapher goes through, and locate their auxiliary science within modern historical and cultural studies. This report not only underlines the tremendous significance that is assigned to the study of inscriptions, but also provides the reader with an informative overview of the working environment of an epigrapher at the German Historical Institute in Rome.