Etruscology
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to train students in the field of archaeological and epigraphic analysis and of research into specific Etruscan cultural identity traits, by means of assessing the repetition of phenomena in the material data. This skill is strengthened in order to critically approach current theses regarding the multifaceted aspects of the Etruscan civilisation, with particular attention to exchanges, acquisitions, uses, and cultural elaborations in the dynamics in progress with other cultural entities of the Ancient World.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: students acquire knowledge of the different lines of research concerning the Etruscan civilisation, articulated in the different aspects of their culture and society.
Skills: through course attendance and study of the educational material provided, students are made capable of exploring the relationship between analysis of epigraphic, archaeological, and contextual data (objects and monuments), in order to assess their specific role as indicators of actions and behaviours. Students acquire the skill to work independently on the research lines approached during each learning unit.
Skills: through course attendance and study of the educational material provided, students are made capable of exploring the relationship between analysis of epigraphic, archaeological, and contextual data (objects and monuments), in order to assess their specific role as indicators of actions and behaviours. Students acquire the skill to work independently on the research lines approached during each learning unit.
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
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The course is based on lectures and open to interaction with students. In order to deal with the current and temporary health emergency, and to be consistent with the objectives and methods of the course, the following list of tools is temporarily available. These tools make it possible to maintain the program without incurring changes:
- in addition to the reference material indicated in the present syllabus, students can download the related pdf and support audio for each lesson (1 to 30) from the Ariel platform, "Etruscology "
- the teaching methods adopted for the lessons will be synchronous, on the Teams platform in the usual course timetable, and asynchronous since the lessons can be downloaded from the Ariel platform in the form of pdf and support audio
-the type of test envisaged is oral, on the Teams platform, and can be carried out in the manner set out in the syllabus.
- in addition to the reference material indicated in the present syllabus, students can download the related pdf and support audio for each lesson (1 to 30) from the Ariel platform, "Etruscology "
- the teaching methods adopted for the lessons will be synchronous, on the Teams platform in the usual course timetable, and asynchronous since the lessons can be downloaded from the Ariel platform in the form of pdf and support audio
-the type of test envisaged is oral, on the Teams platform, and can be carried out in the manner set out in the syllabus.
Course syllabus
The course focuses on current research undertaken within the teaching of Etruscology on the multifaceted aspects of the formation of the Etruscan identity, starting from themes concerning the formation of the Etruscan people up to its affirmation in the historical scenario and its integration into the Roman Empire.
The course is grounded in the basic knowledge of the Etruscan civilisation acquired during the three-year course and delves into the fundamental themes that characterise it. Archaeological and epigraphic evidence is the starting point for investigating dynamics established with nature and with landscape, which are at the roots of the cultural and religious aspects of the Etruscan civilisation.
Part A: Acquirement of the alphabet in Etruria. It explores times and ways in which the Etruscans acquired the alphabetical system circulating in the ancient Mediterranean, adapted it to their language, and later transmitted it to the other peoples of pre-Roman Italy, by means of the examination of documents in their archaeological contexts.
Part B: Letters and images, Etruscans examples of the inspired word. It focuses on discussion of methods of interpretation of the invisible aspects of rituals and symbols that can be linked to the religious sphere. It deals with raw data and information acquired from epigraphic readings, carried out in the previous part of the course, starting from the most ancient testimonies up to evidence revealing contacts with other populations of pre-Roman Italy, with Greece and with Rome.
Part C: Etruscan excavations: visible and invisible aspects. It is based on discussion carried out during the two previous parts of the course. It concerns the historical outline of the Etruscan cities, especially from the point of view of the impact of the topographic and urbanistic plans implemented by the different communities, according to the nature of their territory and the surrounding landscapes. In this context, one of the tasks of this part of the course is to test the potentiality of the methods of Archaeoastronomy in the study of the sky over the Etruscan cities, according to the testimony of the literary sources. Particular attention is given to Tarquinia, the research centre of the University of Milan.
Participating in the excavation program carried out by the University of Milan at Tarquinia is to be considered a supplementary didactic activity:
http://www.etruscologia.unimi.it/index.php/didattica/82-didattica/112-scavo-informazioni
The course is grounded in the basic knowledge of the Etruscan civilisation acquired during the three-year course and delves into the fundamental themes that characterise it. Archaeological and epigraphic evidence is the starting point for investigating dynamics established with nature and with landscape, which are at the roots of the cultural and religious aspects of the Etruscan civilisation.
Part A: Acquirement of the alphabet in Etruria. It explores times and ways in which the Etruscans acquired the alphabetical system circulating in the ancient Mediterranean, adapted it to their language, and later transmitted it to the other peoples of pre-Roman Italy, by means of the examination of documents in their archaeological contexts.
Part B: Letters and images, Etruscans examples of the inspired word. It focuses on discussion of methods of interpretation of the invisible aspects of rituals and symbols that can be linked to the religious sphere. It deals with raw data and information acquired from epigraphic readings, carried out in the previous part of the course, starting from the most ancient testimonies up to evidence revealing contacts with other populations of pre-Roman Italy, with Greece and with Rome.
Part C: Etruscan excavations: visible and invisible aspects. It is based on discussion carried out during the two previous parts of the course. It concerns the historical outline of the Etruscan cities, especially from the point of view of the impact of the topographic and urbanistic plans implemented by the different communities, according to the nature of their territory and the surrounding landscapes. In this context, one of the tasks of this part of the course is to test the potentiality of the methods of Archaeoastronomy in the study of the sky over the Etruscan cities, according to the testimony of the literary sources. Particular attention is given to Tarquinia, the research centre of the University of Milan.
Participating in the excavation program carried out by the University of Milan at Tarquinia is to be considered a supplementary didactic activity:
http://www.etruscologia.unimi.it/index.php/didattica/82-didattica/112-scavo-informazioni
Prerequisites for admission
The course is structured on the basic knowledge of the Etruscan civilization acquired during the three-year course. Master's degree students who have not taken the Etruscology course during the three-year period are invited to take that program and complete it with in-depth studies to be agreed with the teacher.
Teaching methods
The teaching methods are focused on the lectures of the course, which are the essential reference point. Teaching is based on the use of case studies that are open to discussion. The aim of this type of teaching material is to encourage the acquisition of content and favour skills in independent work and in-depth study that will be verified during the exam. Participation in the excavation by the University of Milan in Tarquinia is a precious integration of the course.
Teaching Resources
As specified in the description of learning levels and skills provided by the course, each part of it is divided into topics presented in lectures specific to them. They are listed on the website, and reference texts are available at:
http://www.etruscologia.unimi.it/index.php/didattica/82-didattica/110-laurea-magistrale
Part A: focuses on the acquirement of the alphabet in Etruria and is based on the following papers available at the website of the course (nn. 14, 32, 8, 9, 10, 24, 18, 6, 1, 18, 20).
Part B: focuses on discussion of methods of interpretation of the invisible aspects of rituals and symbols that can be linked to the religious sphere. It is based on the following papers available at the website of the course (nn. 12, 11, 5, 7, 28, 35, 36, 19, 4, 2, 17, 26).
Part C: focuses on the historical outline of the Etruscan cities, placing special emphasis on Tarquinia. It is based on the following papers available at the website of the course (nn. 3, 22, 23, 25, 29, 21, 15, 30, 16, 31, 13).
Non-attending students are expected to agree on an exam program with the teacher.
http://www.etruscologia.unimi.it/index.php/didattica/82-didattica/110-laurea-magistrale
Part A: focuses on the acquirement of the alphabet in Etruria and is based on the following papers available at the website of the course (nn. 14, 32, 8, 9, 10, 24, 18, 6, 1, 18, 20).
Part B: focuses on discussion of methods of interpretation of the invisible aspects of rituals and symbols that can be linked to the religious sphere. It is based on the following papers available at the website of the course (nn. 12, 11, 5, 7, 28, 35, 36, 19, 4, 2, 17, 26).
Part C: focuses on the historical outline of the Etruscan cities, placing special emphasis on Tarquinia. It is based on the following papers available at the website of the course (nn. 3, 22, 23, 25, 29, 21, 15, 30, 16, 31, 13).
Non-attending students are expected to agree on an exam program with the teacher.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination is based on an interview on the topics of the program. It aims at ascertaining the knowledge of the fundamental elements discussed in the above-mentioned parts of the course. Non -attending students take a detailed exam program previously planned with the teacher. International or Erasmus students and students with disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) should contact the teacher in advance.
Unita' didattica A
L-ANT/06 - ETRUSCOLOGY AND ITALIC ANTIQUITIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-ANT/06 - ETRUSCOLOGY AND ITALIC ANTIQUITIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-ANT/06 - ETRUSCOLOGY AND ITALIC ANTIQUITIES - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)