You find the name you wanted in the index of a book on ancient texts. Several page numbers follow it. That is a useful beginning, but the list does not tell you what the author argues on those pages or whether every occurrence has been indexed.
Read a locator as an instruction to look
Start with one page reference and read the surrounding paragraph. Is the name attached to a quotation, a modern interpretation, a passing comparison, or a disagreement with another scholar? Record the role as well as the page.
A page range also needs inspection. It may point to a sustained discussion rather than repeat the same statement throughout. Avoid treating the number of indexed pages as a measurement of a figure’s historical importance.
Search neighbouring terms thoughtfully
An index may include cross-references, alternative spellings, or broader subjects. Follow those aids when present, and check the book’s own instructions. If a term is absent, try a plausible related heading before concluding that the book offers no relevant discussion.
Absence from an index is still narrower evidence than absence from the entire text. A searchable edition can help, but spelling and translation differences may require more than one search. Our note on recording a limited negative result explains why the wording matters.
Build a reading note rather than a tally
For a useful miniature record, keep the indexed term, the page consulted, the claim you actually found, and any source cited there. Separate your summary from a direct quotation.
The index has done its job when it helps you reach a passage worth reading. The argument begins with that passage and its evidence, not with the alphabetical list at the back of the volume.