Papyrology (MA)
A.Y. 2020/2021
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The course aims at introducing advanced students in reading, interpreting and editing unpublished Greek texts on papyri and ostraca.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Knowledge: The students will become familiar with ancient writing and they will learn to overcome the difficulties of unpublished texts.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Skills: By training on images of papyri and ostraca, students will be able to read, understand and interpret unpublished texts.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Skills: By training on images of papyri and ostraca, students will be able to read, understand and interpret unpublished texts.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
If at the beginning of the second semester the sanitary conditions don't allow a complete recommencement of lessons in front of the students, the lessons will be given on line: 2 hours per week in asynchronous way with audio and images on the web site Ariel of Papyrology, 2 hours in synchronous way via Microsoft Teams following the timetable. The students will find information about the access to lessons (link etc.) on the web site Ariel of Papyrology.
If the examination cannot be in presence of students and teacher, it will be made on line via Microsoft Teams, in the way the Syllabus describes,
If the examination cannot be in presence of students and teacher, it will be made on line via Microsoft Teams, in the way the Syllabus describes,
Course syllabus
Unpublished papyri from Umm-el-Breigât (Tebtynis):
The course is organized in two units, which allow the students to learn gradually how to read, interpret and edit unpublished texts on papyri.
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 papyri dated from the Hellenistic period (3rd - 1st 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 dated back to the Roman period (end 1st cent. BC - end 3rd cent. AD) are treated in the above described way.
The course is organized in two units, which allow the students to learn gradually how to read, interpret and edit unpublished texts on papyri.
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 papyri dated from the Hellenistic period (3rd - 1st 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 dated back to the Roman period (end 1st cent. BC - end 3rd 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 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 texts on papyri and pottery shards.
Attendance in the lectures is strongly recommended, because the lectures are partly organized as seminars and the students work on unpublished texts needs a constant check by the teacher. Students who cannot attend must promptly contact the teacher.
The lectures take place in the Papyrology Laboratory. Consequently, the students have the opportunity of seeing and using the special tools employed to reproduce texts on papyri and pottery shards.
Attendance in the lectures is strongly recommended, because the lectures are partly organized as seminars and the students work on unpublished texts needs a constant check by the teacher. Students who cannot attend must promptly contact the teacher.
Teaching Resources
Tavole per il corso avanzato di Papirologia dell'a.a. 2020-2021. 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 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 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.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher, in order to discuss alternative examination
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 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.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher, in order to discuss alternative examination
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