Greek Epigraphy
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with an introduction to the diverse uses and development of Greek alphabetic writing from the origins in the early archaic period to Roman times on the basis of an appropriate selection of public and private texts and documents.
Expected learning outcomes
The expected learning outcomes include:
- detailed knowledge of the fundamental elements of Greek epigraphy and of the core questions concerning a) the origins of alphabetic writing in the Greek world, b) its diversified uses (from basic to complex) in respect to the different writing media, and c) the various graphic and linguistic features of Greek inscriptions and their development from the archaic period to Roman times;
- ability to identify the various material features and typologies of inscriptions (public and private), as well as their specific formulaic language and their meanings and objectives as means of communication;
- ability to understand the methodological problems connected to the use of inscriptions as a source of historical information;
- ability to appropriately use the specific language of the discipline;
- basic knowledge of the essential bibliographical resources within the discipline.
- detailed knowledge of the fundamental elements of Greek epigraphy and of the core questions concerning a) the origins of alphabetic writing in the Greek world, b) its diversified uses (from basic to complex) in respect to the different writing media, and c) the various graphic and linguistic features of Greek inscriptions and their development from the archaic period to Roman times;
- ability to identify the various material features and typologies of inscriptions (public and private), as well as their specific formulaic language and their meanings and objectives as means of communication;
- ability to understand the methodological problems connected to the use of inscriptions as a source of historical information;
- ability to appropriately use the specific language of the discipline;
- basic knowledge of the essential bibliographical resources within the discipline.
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
Lesson period
First semester
Lessons will take place remotely, mainly in an asynchronous way, through the uploading of bibliographical materials, of both general and specific content, visual materials, PowerPoint presentations with captions and audio comments and videos of recorded lectures on the Ariel website. Lectures can either be attended at the scheduled time they are occurring at, or they can be accessed as previously recorded material available to students on the Ariel platform.
There are also plans to deliver some lectures through Microsoft Teams, allowing for direct debate with students, including discussion and comment on previously accessed materials, these lectures will also be available on this same platform.
Students will be able to access all the necessary information through their course on the Ariel website.
The programme and all the course contents will not be subject to change.
In the event of exams (exclusively in oral form) not being able to take place as planned in the Syllabus, they will take place online according to procedures which will be detailed on the Ariel website at the end of the course.
There are also plans to deliver some lectures through Microsoft Teams, allowing for direct debate with students, including discussion and comment on previously accessed materials, these lectures will also be available on this same platform.
Students will be able to access all the necessary information through their course on the Ariel website.
The programme and all the course contents will not be subject to change.
In the event of exams (exclusively in oral form) not being able to take place as planned in the Syllabus, they will take place online according to procedures which will be detailed on the Ariel website at the end of the course.
Course syllabus
Course syllabus
The topics dealt with during the course include:
A) the ideological and educational values of Greek society from the archaic age to the hellenistic and Roman periods through a selection of documentary, iconographical and literary sources; B) Greek political regimes and their forms of expression through a choice of inscriptions and other literary and documentary sources; C) international relations in the classical and hellenistic Greek world with an analysis of different document typologies and of their formulaic language and evolution in the course of time.
The topics dealt with during the course include:
A) the ideological and educational values of Greek society from the archaic age to the hellenistic and Roman periods through a selection of documentary, iconographical and literary sources; B) Greek political regimes and their forms of expression through a choice of inscriptions and other literary and documentary sources; C) international relations in the classical and hellenistic Greek world with an analysis of different document typologies and of their formulaic language and evolution in the course of time.
Prerequisites for admission
Prerequisites for admission
- ability to express oneself in an appropriate manner;
- secure knowledge of the broad outlines of Greek history and of the most important events;
- ability to use ancient documentary sources being aware of their peculiar characters;
- knowledge of the geographical context of ancient Greek civilization.
- ability to express oneself in an appropriate manner;
- secure knowledge of the broad outlines of Greek history and of the most important events;
- ability to use ancient documentary sources being aware of their peculiar characters;
- knowledge of the geographical context of ancient Greek civilization.
Teaching methods
Teaching methods
The course is offered in a lecture format. A selection of epigraphic documents will be presented both as texts and as monuments. Detailed commentaries on their dialect and graphic characteristics will be offered. The commentary will also focus on document typologies and the evolution of the relevant formulaic language over time. An introduction to the methodology of epigraphic research and to the fundamental bibliographical and electronic resources will be provided.
The course is offered in a lecture format. A selection of epigraphic documents will be presented both as texts and as monuments. Detailed commentaries on their dialect and graphic characteristics will be offered. The commentary will also focus on document typologies and the evolution of the relevant formulaic language over time. An introduction to the methodology of epigraphic research and to the fundamental bibliographical and electronic resources will be provided.
Teaching Resources
Teaching Resources
A
M. GUARDUCCI, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Ed. Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Roma 1987, pp. 14-33; 41-42; 53-58; 81-88; 111-143; 155-180; 227-243; 254-285; 359-417; 422-442.
One of the following books:
- J. SVENBRO, Storia della lettura nella Grecia antica, Laterza, Bari 1991.
- Alfabeti. Preistoria e storia del linguaggio scritto, a cura di M. NEGRI, Demetra, Colognola ai
Colli, 2000 (pp.1-176).
- L. GODART, L'invenzione della scrittura. Dal Nilo alla Grecia, Einaudi, Torino 2001.
- G. CAVALLO, Scrivere e leggere nella città antica, Carocci, Roma 2019.
B
T. ALFIERI TONINI, Atene onora le poleis. Riflessi di un imperialismo, Aracne, Roma 2011 (to be replaced by another essay to be agreed, if already a textbook for another exam).
C
A selection of documents analysed and commented on during the lectures.
A. BENCIVENNI, Progetti di riforme costituzionali nelle epigrafi greche dei secoli 4-2. a. C.. Lo scarabeo, Bologna 2003 (pp. 1-103), to be replaced by another essay to be agreed.
A
M. GUARDUCCI, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Ed. Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Roma 1987, pp. 14-33; 41-42; 53-58; 81-88; 111-143; 155-180; 227-243; 254-285; 359-417; 422-442.
One of the following books:
- J. SVENBRO, Storia della lettura nella Grecia antica, Laterza, Bari 1991.
- Alfabeti. Preistoria e storia del linguaggio scritto, a cura di M. NEGRI, Demetra, Colognola ai
Colli, 2000 (pp.1-176).
- L. GODART, L'invenzione della scrittura. Dal Nilo alla Grecia, Einaudi, Torino 2001.
- G. CAVALLO, Scrivere e leggere nella città antica, Carocci, Roma 2019.
B
T. ALFIERI TONINI, Atene onora le poleis. Riflessi di un imperialismo, Aracne, Roma 2011 (to be replaced by another essay to be agreed, if already a textbook for another exam).
C
A selection of documents analysed and commented on during the lectures.
A. BENCIVENNI, Progetti di riforme costituzionali nelle epigrafi greche dei secoli 4-2. a. C.. Lo scarabeo, Bologna 2003 (pp. 1-103), to be replaced by another essay to be agreed.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral and aims at ascertaining students' knowledge of the topics and texts dealt with during the course on the basis of the materials and sources provided (and uploaded on the Ariel platform) and of the reading list.
Assessment criteria are the following: ability to ability to present topics and express oneself with the specialist language appropriate to the discipline; ability to organize knowledge through discourse; ability to set inscriptions within their historical and documentary context, also in respect to information provided by other types of sources; critical reasoning skills with regard to the topics considered; ability to present the results of research conducted individually and to utilize bibliographical and digital resources developed within the discipline.
Marks are out of 30.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
The exam is oral and aims at ascertaining students' knowledge of the topics and texts dealt with during the course on the basis of the materials and sources provided (and uploaded on the Ariel platform) and of the reading list.
Assessment criteria are the following: ability to ability to present topics and express oneself with the specialist language appropriate to the discipline; ability to organize knowledge through discourse; ability to set inscriptions within their historical and documentary context, also in respect to information provided by other types of sources; critical reasoning skills with regard to the topics considered; ability to present the results of research conducted individually and to utilize bibliographical and digital resources developed within the discipline.
Marks are out of 30.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
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