What Is Stephanus Pagination? (Classical Text Citations)
Stephanus pagination is a standard way to locate passages in Plato’s works. It uses page numbers and lettered divisions from Henri Estienne’s 1578 edition, so readers can find a passage across different editions. A reference such as Phaedrus 230e is not a modern book page; cite your translation separately so readers can verify the wording.
When you read a paper or book about Plato, a reference like Phaedrus 230e can look like a code. It is easier to understand once you know that the numbers and letters mark a place in a dialogue, not a page in your copy. This matters because editions and translations often have different page layouts.
I use a simple rule when explaining these citations: the Stephanus reference helps readers find the passage, while the edition details tell them which text or translation you consulted. Keep both parts in view, and the system becomes a practical tool rather than an obstacle.
Stephanus Pagination: Purpose, Origin & Scope
Stephanus pagination is a location system used mainly for Plato’s works. Its numbered pages and lettered divisions come from a 1578 edition prepared by Henri Estienne, whose Latin name was Stephanus. The references help readers locate passages even when their copies use different modern page numbers.
Estienne’s edition divided Plato’s text into numbered pages, then marked sections on each page with letters, usually a through e. Later editions and translations often print these markers in the margin or beside the text. This makes it possible to refer to the same passage without relying on a publisher’s page layout.
The system is principally associated with Plato. It is not a universal citation method for every ancient Greek or Roman author. Other classical works use their own systems, such as book and line numbers or chapter and section numbers. Before using a reference format, check that it suits the author and text you are citing.
A Stephanus reference does not tell readers which translation you used. Nor does it give the exact wording of a passage. It points to a location in Plato’s work. Your bibliography or works-cited list identifies the edition or translation that supplies the words you quote.
How to Read Stephanus References in Plato
A basic Stephanus citation gives the dialogue title, a page number, and a lettered division. In Phaedrus 230e, for example, Phaedrus names the dialogue, 230 gives the Stephanus page, and e marks a subdivision on that page. Some editions also supply line numbers for more exact references.
Read the parts in this order:
- Dialogue title: Names the work, such as Phaedrus or Republic.
- Page number: Gives the numbered page in Estienne’s system, not the page in your book.
- Letter: Marks a section of that Stephanus page, conventionally a, b, c, d, or e.
- Line number, if used: Narrows the location when the edition provides line numbering.
| Reference | What it identifies | What it does not identify |
|---|---|---|
| Phaedrus 230e | Page 230, section e, in Plato’s Phaedrus | Page 230 in a modern translation |
| Republic 514a | Page 514, section a, in Plato’s Republic | A line number or a specific translation |
| Phaedrus 230e–231a | A passage extending across two lettered sections | A publisher’s page range |
These examples show the format, not a claim about what a passage says. To discuss an argument, quote, or detail, check the passage in the edition you are using. A locator helps a reader get to the relevant place, but it does not replace reading the surrounding text.
Worked citation scenarios
If your instructor asks for the location of a passage, use the dialogue and Stephanus reference together. For example: “Socrates speaks with Phaedrus in Phaedrus 230e.” The citation identifies the passage without relying on the page number in your copy.
If you quote several lines or discuss a precise phrase, follow the citation guidance for your course or publication. You may add a line number if your edition supplies one and your style guide permits it. Line numbering can differ between editions, so name the edition in your bibliography.
Using Editions, Translations & Citations Successfully
A reliable Plato citation pairs the Stephanus locator with enough publication information for readers to identify the text you used. Start by checking the dialogue and the printed Stephanus marker, then follow your instructor’s or publisher’s format. Include the translation or edition in your bibliography, especially when quoting translated wording.
Use this four-step check before submitting a citation:
- Identify the dialogue. Confirm that the text is by Plato and note its title. Do not apply Stephanus numbers to another classical author’s work.
- Find the marker. Look in the margin or beside the text in a scholarly edition or translation. Some editions make the numbers easy to spot; others may place them in a different format.
- Record the full location. Write the dialogue title, Stephanus page, and letter. Add a line number only when it is available and useful.
- Verify the wording and source. Check the quotation against the edition you actually read. Give its full details in the bibliography or works-cited list.
In a paper, a parenthetical reference might appear as “(Phaedrus 230e).” Some style guides may prefer a different arrangement or may ask you to shorten a title after first use. Follow the style guide assigned to your work; do not assume every department formats classical citations in exactly the same way.
The bibliography serves a different purpose from the Stephanus reference. The citation points to the passage in Plato; the bibliography tells readers which translation, editor, publisher, and publication details you used. If you quote a translator’s wording, those details matter because translations can differ.
A useful check is to ask: could a reader find the passage, and could they identify the version I quoted? If the answer to either question is no, add the missing information. A modern page number alone is not a substitute for the Stephanus locator, because page layouts vary between books.
Research Applications and Limits of Stephanus Pagination
Stephanus pagination is useful when a discussion needs to point to a passage in Plato across editions. It works best when you identify the dialogue and cite the lettered subdivision accurately. It has clear limits: it does not identify a translation, guarantee identical wording, or provide a general locator for all classical texts.
In undergraduate work, it lets classmates and instructors locate a passage without owning the same edition. In advanced research, it can support precise discussion, especially when paired with line numbers from a named edition. In either case, the reader needs enough information to check the text and understand the context.
Avoid these common errors:
- Treating Stephanus numbers as modern page numbers. The number refers to Estienne’s pagination, not a page in your copy.
- Leaving out the dialogue title. A number and letter alone may not make the intended work clear.
- Using Stephanus pagination for another author. It is principally a system for Plato, not a standard for all ancient texts.
- Omitting the edition or translation. Readers may find the location but still be unable to confirm the wording you quote.
- Citing a passage without checking it. Similar topics appear in more than one dialogue; verify the title and location in your source.
If the Stephanus markers are missing from your copy, consult a scholarly edition or translation that includes them. Compare the passage against that source and record its publication details. Do not guess a Stephanus number from the modern page where the passage appears.
A Reliable Way to Cite Plato
Stephanus pagination gives Plato readers a shared way to locate passages, even when their books have different layouts. To cite well, name the dialogue, include the page and letter, and identify the edition or translation in your bibliography. Check both the location and wording before you submit your work.
As a final check, read your reference as if you were a classmate trying to find the passage. If it tells them which dialogue to open, where to look, and which translation you used, it is doing its job.
Frequently Asked Questions
These quick answers cover the most common questions about Stephanus citations. The main distinction is simple: the Stephanus number locates a passage in Plato, while your edition details identify the text or translation you consulted. Use your course or publication style guide for exact punctuation and placement.
What is Stephanus pagination?
It is a system for locating passages in Plato by page number and lettered section, based on Henri Estienne’s 1578 edition.
What does Phaedrus 230e mean?
It means page 230, section e, in Plato’s Phaedrus. It does not mean page 230 in a modern book.
Who was Stephanus?
Stephanus was the Latinized name of Henri Estienne, the scholar and printer whose 1578 Plato edition supplied the pagination system.
Is Stephanus pagination used for all classical texts?
No. It is principally used for Plato. Other classical authors usually have different citation systems.
Do Stephanus numbers change between editions?
The Stephanus references are used to locate Plato passages across editions. Modern page numbers vary, so use the Stephanus marker rather than your book’s page.
Do I need to cite my translation too?
Yes. Give the edition or translation in your bibliography so readers can identify and check the wording you quote.
Should I include line numbers?
Include them when your edition supplies them and your instructor or style guide asks for them, or when they help locate a precise phrase.
Can I cite only “230e”?
It is clearer to include the dialogue title, such as Phaedrus 230e. A bare number and letter may not tell readers which dialogue you mean.
How do I find Stephanus numbers in my book?
Check the margins or the text near the passage. If your edition does not show them, consult a scholarly edition or translation that does.
Can I use a modern page number instead?
A modern page number can help someone using the same edition, but it is not a Stephanus reference. Use the Stephanus locator for cross-edition reference and give your edition details.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Nathan Sterling. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
