Historical Geography of the Ancient World
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The aim of the Course is to provide student with the tools to learn the main topics of the ancient geography, both in a synchronic and diachronic way. The anthological study of the different sources (literary, documentary and archaeological) will complete the student knowledge about the ancient Mediterranean world, from the Near East to Rome.
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: 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
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: among which, the Papyri Rylands 627, 628 and 638 about a business travel by Theophanes. 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: among which, the Papyri Rylands 627, 628 and 638 about a business travel by Theophanes. 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, podcast 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 Programmes of exams are different for attending students and non-attending students.
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.
Programme for ATTENDING STUDENTS
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).
Programme for NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Parts A and B:
in addition to the texts listed (for attending students), the NOTES of cartography, published in ARIEL, Lessons from no. 11 to (including) no. 21.
Part C:
Students have to prepare two chapters (at their option) from:
- F. PRONTERA, Geografia e storia nella Grecia antica, Firenze 2011 (available online through the Minerva Catalogue and at Biblioteca SA.FM.)
OR, these two chapters from the following volume:
- D. JOUANNA, Vicino, lontano. Come i Greci vedevano il mondo. Roma 2020, cap. 3 (Immaginare l'altrove, pp. 35-44) e cap. 10 (Fantasticherie sui mondi conosciuti e sconosciuti, pp. 165-182), book available at Biblioteca SA.FM.;
OR, these following articles, both available at Ariel site of the Course:
- G. AMIOTTI, I precursori di Cristoforo Colombo nell'Atlantico e la cultura classica del grande navigatore,
da "Aevum" 68, 1994, pp. 425-437;
- A.GALLIA, La descrizione geografica del Nilo in età moderna sulle orme di Erodoto, da "Africa" 64, 2009, pp. 206-222.
The Programmes of exams are different for attending students and non-attending students.
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.
Programme for ATTENDING STUDENTS
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).
Programme for NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Parts A and B:
in addition to the texts listed (for attending students), the NOTES of cartography, published in ARIEL, Lessons from no. 11 to (including) no. 21.
Part C:
Students have to prepare two chapters (at their option) from:
- F. PRONTERA, Geografia e storia nella Grecia antica, Firenze 2011 (available online through the Minerva Catalogue and at Biblioteca SA.FM.)
OR, these two chapters from the following volume:
- D. JOUANNA, Vicino, lontano. Come i Greci vedevano il mondo. Roma 2020, cap. 3 (Immaginare l'altrove, pp. 35-44) e cap. 10 (Fantasticherie sui mondi conosciuti e sconosciuti, pp. 165-182), book available at Biblioteca SA.FM.;
OR, these following articles, both available at Ariel site of the Course:
- G. AMIOTTI, I precursori di Cristoforo Colombo nell'Atlantico e la cultura classica del grande navigatore,
da "Aevum" 68, 1994, pp. 425-437;
- A.GALLIA, La descrizione geografica del Nilo in età moderna sulle orme di Erodoto, da "Africa" 64, 2009, pp. 206-222.
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.
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)