Historical Geography of the Ancient World
A.Y. 2020/2021
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
Knowledge:
at the end of the Course, students will know the sources (they have studied) both, in an analytical way and their context; the history of Greco-roman Geography until the Middle Ages; main topics of the field with interdisciplinary connections.
Skills:
Students will be able to: illustrate some geographical topics clearly and using correct terminology;
use some key ideas of ancient Cartography: oikoumene, odologic space, klimata, latitudo, longitudo; manage the main bibliographical tools.
Master Degree:
Knowledge:
at the end of the Course, students will know the ancient sources (also in original version) in a critical way; some focus on open issues of the field, with the related international literature.
Skills:
Students will be able to use and discuss ancient sources (literary, archaeological) in a comparative way; build a scientific bibliography on a topic; set up their own research (also in view of a thesis).
Knowledge:
at the end of the Course, students will know the sources (they have studied) both, in an analytical way and their context; the history of Greco-roman Geography until the Middle Ages; main topics of the field with interdisciplinary connections.
Skills:
Students will be able to: illustrate some geographical topics clearly and using correct terminology;
use some key ideas of ancient Cartography: oikoumene, odologic space, klimata, latitudo, longitudo; manage the main bibliographical tools.
Master Degree:
Knowledge:
at the end of the Course, students will know the ancient sources (also in original version) in a critical way; some focus on open issues of the field, with the related international literature.
Skills:
Students will be able to use and discuss ancient sources (literary, archaeological) in a comparative way; build a scientific bibliography on a topic; set up their own research (also in view of a thesis).
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
The Course is offered entirely online, in the Ariel platform and via Microsoft Teams, according to this model of asynchronous teaching (Flipped Classroom, mostly).
All the materials will be available at the beginning of each lesson week: texts, slides, podcasts and videos. Through all the Course, one lesson per week will be dedicated to discuss with the Class the materials presented (via Microsoft Teams). All the Lessons and news will be available on Ariel.
All the materials will be available at the beginning of each lesson week: texts, slides, podcasts and videos. Through all the Course, one lesson per week will be dedicated to discuss with the Class the materials presented (via Microsoft Teams). All the Lessons and news will be available on Ariel.
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three parts: Part 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.
Part 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.
Part C explores the subject of travel through some greek papyri from the imperial age.
To understand how people moved in everyday life, how they "found out their way", some itineraries will be considered: the Pap. Oxyrhynchus XLII 3052, the Pap. Michigan VIII 501, the Pap. Bingen 77. These texts will be presented both in greek and in translation, but Master students in Classics are strongly recommended to prepare them in greek.
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.
Part 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.
Part C explores the subject of travel through some greek papyri from the imperial age.
To understand how people moved in everyday life, how they "found out their way", some itineraries will be considered: the Pap. Oxyrhynchus XLII 3052, the Pap. Michigan VIII 501, the Pap. Bingen 77. These texts will be presented both in greek and in translation, but Master students in Classics are strongly recommended to prepare them in greek.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission, but a basic knowledge of ancient history is rather desirable.
Teaching methods
Lectures, slides, powerpoint presentations, materials and links on case studies and discussions in the Ariel platform (https://ariel.unimi.it/).
Students will find all the materials and news on Ariel (for news also via Mail during the Course).
Students will find all the materials and news on Ariel (for news also via Mail during the Course).
Teaching Resources
Bibliography
The Programme of exams is unique for all the students, because the Course is offered entirely online.
The Sources and Readings from the Lessons are part of the exam Programme.
All the Master Students are invited to contact the Teacher for some additional readings or activities.
Part I
In addition to the lessons 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. It is recommended:
- G. ARRIGONI (a cura di), A. van Kampen, Orbis terrarum antiquus. Atlante storico del mondo antico, Bergamo, Sestante edizioni, 2010.
Part II
In addition to the lessons 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.
Part III
The notes of the Course (including the papyri analysed).
The Programme of exams is unique for all the students, because the Course is offered entirely online.
The Sources and Readings from the Lessons are part of the exam Programme.
All the Master Students are invited to contact the Teacher for some additional readings or activities.
Part I
In addition to the lessons 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. It is recommended:
- G. ARRIGONI (a cura di), A. van Kampen, Orbis terrarum antiquus. Atlante storico del mondo antico, Bergamo, Sestante edizioni, 2010.
Part II
In addition to the lessons 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.
Part III
The notes of the Course (including the papyri analysed).
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment consists of an oral exam. The questions will be 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).
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.
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).
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.
Modules or teaching units
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)