Papyrology (MA)
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course aims at introducing advanced students in reading, interpreting and editing unpublished Greek texts on papyri and ostraca.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: The students will become familiar with ancient writing and they will learn to overcome the difficulties of unpublished texts. At the same time, they will acquire knowledge on bibliographic resources, optical systems and digital tools commonly used by papyrologists.
Skills: By training on images of papyri and ostraca, students will be able to read, understand and interpret unpublished texts. Furthermore, they will learn how to use special optical systems essential for reading and reproducing papyri and texts on pottery sherds.
Skills: By training on images of papyri and ostraca, students will be able to read, understand and interpret unpublished texts. Furthermore, they will learn how to use special optical systems essential for reading and reproducing papyri and texts on pottery sherds.
Lesson period: Second 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
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Papyri and ostraca from Umm-el-Breigât (Tebtynis):
The course is organised in two units, which allow the students to learn gradually how to read, interpret and edit unpublished texts on papyri and ostraca.
In the first unit, the opening lectures describe the Tebtynis village, from where the studied material comes, and the excavations made there. Then the teacher supplies the students with the images of 6 papyri and 6 ostraca dated from the Hellenistic period (IIIrd-Ist cent. BC). Each piece is described at first by the teacher; then the text is transcribed partly by the teacher partly by a student; in the end the teacher comments on it.
In the second unit, other papyri and ostraca dated back to the Roman period (end Ist cent. BC - end IIIrd cent. AD) are treated in the above described way.
The course is organised in two units, which allow the students to learn gradually how to read, interpret and edit unpublished texts on papyri and ostraca.
In the first unit, the opening lectures describe the Tebtynis village, from where the studied material comes, and the excavations made there. Then the teacher supplies the students with the images of 6 papyri and 6 ostraca dated from the Hellenistic period (IIIrd-Ist cent. BC). Each piece is described at first by the teacher; then the text is transcribed partly by the teacher partly by a student; in the end the teacher comments on it.
In the second unit, other papyri and ostraca dated back to the Roman period (end Ist cent. BC - end IIIrd cent. AD) are treated in the above described way.
Prerequisites for admission
The students must have attended a course of Papyrology for the bachelor.
Teaching methods
After the opening lectures devoted to the Tebtynis village, the teacher supplies the students with the images of papyri and ostraca dated back to Hellenistic and Roman periods. For every piece he describes the content, analyses the writing and transcribes some lines of the text. Then he commits the piece to a student that completes the transcription of the text in two or three weeks under the teacher supervision. At the end of the work, the student presents his transcription during a lecture. The teacher discusses the critical points of the transcription and explains how to solve the problems caused by the writing. Then he comments on the most interesting passages of the text.
The lectures take place in the Papyrology Laboratory. Consequently the students have the opportunity of seeing and using the special tools employed to reproduce papyri and texts on pottery shards.
The lectures take place in the Papyrology Laboratory. Consequently the students have the opportunity of seeing and using the special tools employed to reproduce papyri and texts on pottery shards.
Teaching Resources
Tavole per il corso avanzato di Papirologia dell'a.a. 2019-2020. The teacher will distribute these during the lectures.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination that aims at verifying the student skill in working on unpublished texts. The candidate must present the written edition of one papyrus or ostrakon him committed during the lectures, with text transcription and commentary. The paper is examined and discussed with the teacher. Then the images of 1 or 2 pieces treated during the lectures are submitted to the candidate and he reads the texts and comments on them.
The assessment is declared in 30/30 and is grounded on the following criteria: 1) acquired skill, i.e. capacity in reading a text on papyrus or pottery shard and in preparing its edition; 2) accuracy of the transcription and quality of the commentary on the text in the presented paper; 3) propriety in writing and speaking and accuracy in employing the technical vocabulary.
The assessment is declared in 30/30 and is grounded on the following criteria: 1) acquired skill, i.e. capacity in reading a text on papyrus or pottery shard and in preparing its edition; 2) accuracy of the transcription and quality of the commentary on the text in the presented paper; 3) propriety in writing and speaking and accuracy in employing the technical vocabulary.
Unita' didattica A
L-ANT/05 - PAPYROLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-ANT/05 - PAPYROLOGY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours