Historical Geography of the Ancient World
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
This Course gives a view of tools and methods used by the Geographer of the ancient world. Through the written sources (Greek and Latin Authors, epigraphs, literary and documentary papyri) and the cartographical finds the students obtain a knowledge about:
themes of ancient geography, of ancient landscapes, and people's relationship with Nature; the geography narrated by the Ancient Authors.
The focus is on Greek and Roman period (VIII BC - VIII AD) with some previous and later references, in the context of the Ancient Near East.
themes of ancient geography, of ancient landscapes, and people's relationship with Nature; the geography narrated by the Ancient Authors.
The focus is on Greek and Roman period (VIII BC - VIII AD) with some previous and later references, in the context of the Ancient Near East.
Expected learning outcomes
Triennial Degree:
the students know the sources (they have studied) both, in an analytical way and in their context; can link them to greek-roman history Events and can explain odological/cartographic concepts (with its consequences).
Master Degree:
the students can use methods and sources in a critical and comparative way, can assemble an analytical bibliography on a topic Course; provide information about open issues, also in relation to international studies.
the students know the sources (they have studied) both, in an analytical way and in their context; can link them to greek-roman history Events and can explain odological/cartographic concepts (with its consequences).
Master Degree:
the students can use methods and sources in a critical and comparative way, can assemble an analytical bibliography on a topic Course; provide information about open issues, also in relation to international studies.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three teaching units: teaching unit A looks into the history of Ancient Geography and the Geography of the (major) ancient history writers (a selection of topic sources). Two main approaches will be pursued: descriptive geography, from Homer, the Periplous, Herodotus, Polybius, Strabo, Pliny the Elder, to Dionysius Periegetes; mathematical geography according to Eratosthenes and Claudius Ptolemaeus.
Unit B focuses on the theory and practice of ancient maps through literary and documentary sources, and their uses in daily life. Findings from the Ancient Near East (III millennium BC) to the Peutinger Table will be studied. In particular: clay maps from Mesopotamia, the Turin Gold Mine Papyrus, the Soleto Ostrakon, some papyri from Greco-roman Egypt with ground plans, the (new) Artemidorus Papyrus, the Forma Urbis Romae, the Stadiasmos Patarensis, the Dura-Europos shield, the Madaba map, the miniatures of Cosmas Indicopleustes and the Peutinger Table. Archaeological finds and literary sources will be combined in a critical analysis, also in the light of historical interpretations offered in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Unit C will focus on the paradeisos (i.e. ancient gardens and zoos) context and its population (especially the wild animals) in the Ancient Near East, Classical Greece and Hellenistic World. Paradeisoi will be studied in their environmental context especially on the basis of literary sources.
Unit B focuses on the theory and practice of ancient maps through literary and documentary sources, and their uses in daily life. Findings from the Ancient Near East (III millennium BC) to the Peutinger Table will be studied. In particular: clay maps from Mesopotamia, the Turin Gold Mine Papyrus, the Soleto Ostrakon, some papyri from Greco-roman Egypt with ground plans, the (new) Artemidorus Papyrus, the Forma Urbis Romae, the Stadiasmos Patarensis, the Dura-Europos shield, the Madaba map, the miniatures of Cosmas Indicopleustes and the Peutinger Table. Archaeological finds and literary sources will be combined in a critical analysis, also in the light of historical interpretations offered in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Unit C will focus on the paradeisos (i.e. ancient gardens and zoos) context and its population (especially the wild animals) in the Ancient Near East, Classical Greece and Hellenistic World. Paradeisoi will be studied in their environmental context especially on the basis of literary sources.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission, but a basic knowledge of ancient history is rather desirable.
Teaching methods
The course is offered in a lecture format including slides, materials circulated to students via a mailing list (normally once a week during the course) for further insights, documents and graphics, case studies.
Teaching Resources
Exam programme for attending students:
Teaching Unit A
In addition to personal lecture notes, students will choose one of these two volumes:
- S. BIANCHETTI, Geografia storica del mondo antico, Bologna, Monduzzi editore, 2008
- F. CORDANO, La geografia degli antichi, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2006.
-
The use of an historical Atlas (Ancient World) is a necessary tool for each part of Program. We recommend:
G. ARRIGONI (a cura di), A. van Kampen, Orbis terrarum antiquus. Atlante storico del mondo antico, Bergamo, Sestante edizioni, 2010
Teaching Unit B
In addition to personal lecture notes:
- H.J. GEHRKE, Antiche rappresentazioni dello spazio e imperialismo romano, "Geographia antiqua" 16-17, 2007-08, pp. 61-71 (available online and at Biblioteca Sottocrociera)
- P. JANNI, Meglio piatta che sferica. Cosmologia arcaica e propaganda imperiale, "Geographia antiqua" 18, 2009, pp. 107-122
- F. PRONTERA, Il Mediterraneo: scoperta e rappresentazione, "Geographia antiqua" 16-17, 2007-08, pp. 41-59.
Teaching Unit C
The lecture notes of the course (including the literary sources analysed).
Exam programme for non-attending students
Teaching Unit A
In addition to the texts listed for attending students (i.e. the choice of a handbook):
- STRABONE, I Prolegomena, F. Cordano - G. Amiotti (eds), Tivoli, Tored, 2013, pp. 1-20, (available in the Biblioteca di Scienze dell'Antichità e Filologia Moderna [SA.FM]).
Teaching Unit B
In addition to texts listed for attending students:
- F. PRONTERA, Carta e testo nella geografia antica, from PRONTERA, F.(ed.), Geografia e storia nella Grecia antica, Firenze 2011, pp. 95-104 (available in the Biblioteca SA.FM.).
- F. PRONTERA, L'Italia nell'ecumene dei Greci, "Geographia antiqua" 7, 1998, pp. 5-14 (available in the Biblioteca Sottocrociera).
Teaching Unit C
- L. THOMMEN, L'ambiente nel mondo antico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
Teaching Unit A
In addition to personal lecture notes, students will choose one of these two volumes:
- S. BIANCHETTI, Geografia storica del mondo antico, Bologna, Monduzzi editore, 2008
- F. CORDANO, La geografia degli antichi, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2006.
-
The use of an historical Atlas (Ancient World) is a necessary tool for each part of Program. We recommend:
G. ARRIGONI (a cura di), A. van Kampen, Orbis terrarum antiquus. Atlante storico del mondo antico, Bergamo, Sestante edizioni, 2010
Teaching Unit B
In addition to personal lecture notes:
- H.J. GEHRKE, Antiche rappresentazioni dello spazio e imperialismo romano, "Geographia antiqua" 16-17, 2007-08, pp. 61-71 (available online and at Biblioteca Sottocrociera)
- P. JANNI, Meglio piatta che sferica. Cosmologia arcaica e propaganda imperiale, "Geographia antiqua" 18, 2009, pp. 107-122
- F. PRONTERA, Il Mediterraneo: scoperta e rappresentazione, "Geographia antiqua" 16-17, 2007-08, pp. 41-59.
Teaching Unit C
The lecture notes of the course (including the literary sources analysed).
Exam programme for non-attending students
Teaching Unit A
In addition to the texts listed for attending students (i.e. the choice of a handbook):
- STRABONE, I Prolegomena, F. Cordano - G. Amiotti (eds), Tivoli, Tored, 2013, pp. 1-20, (available in the Biblioteca di Scienze dell'Antichità e Filologia Moderna [SA.FM]).
Teaching Unit B
In addition to texts listed for attending students:
- F. PRONTERA, Carta e testo nella geografia antica, from PRONTERA, F.(ed.), Geografia e storia nella Grecia antica, Firenze 2011, pp. 95-104 (available in the Biblioteca SA.FM.).
- F. PRONTERA, L'Italia nell'ecumene dei Greci, "Geographia antiqua" 7, 1998, pp. 5-14 (available in the Biblioteca Sottocrociera).
Teaching Unit C
- L. THOMMEN, L'ambiente nel mondo antico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment consists of an oral exam. Questions will in particular focus on a source (literary or documentary), a theme, an ancient author (an ancient writer of geography) from the course and from the reading list. Marks are out of 30.
Assessment criteria for undergraduate students: knowledge of the topics, comprehensive information, quality of the vocabulary.
Assessment criteria for master (graduate) students: in addition to the abilities listed above: critical attitude, ability to command discipline-specific language, sound method in dealing with the ancient sources (also in original language, if applicable).
Assessment criteria for undergraduate students: knowledge of the topics, comprehensive information, quality of the vocabulary.
Assessment criteria for master (graduate) students: in addition to the abilities listed above: critical attitude, ability to command discipline-specific language, sound method in dealing with the ancient sources (also in original language, if applicable).
Unita' didattica A
L-ANT/02 - GREEK HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-ANT/02 - GREEK HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-ANT/02 - GREEK HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)