Egyptology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The educational objective of the course is to develop general knowledge related to all aspects of ancient Egyptian civilization (from the end of the fourth millennium BC to the Roman conquest of the country), with specific insights into the history, archaeology, culture, religion, language and literature (with notions of grammar and reading of texts in Egyptian hieroglyph), its transformations over the millennia and its influence on modern and contemporary culture. Issues related to the history of the discipline will also be discussed, making use of the documents preserved in the Egyptological Archives of the University of Milan. Each year we will also deal with a specific topic, in relation to the research activities of the teacher and the advances in Egyptological research in general.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge - At the end of the course the student will acquire a basic knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilization in its development and its transformations, through the analysis of archaeological, iconographic and textual sources.
Skills - At the end of the course the student will develop a basic competence in the use of the essential bibliographical tools and of the technical egyptological lexicon; critical skills in the interpretation of documents; ability to distinguish between preconceived ideas and results deriving from scientific research; awareness of the content and usefulness for the research of the Egyptological archives and the history of the discipline.
Skills - At the end of the course the student will develop a basic competence in the use of the essential bibliographical tools and of the technical egyptological lexicon; critical skills in the interpretation of documents; ability to distinguish between preconceived ideas and results deriving from scientific research; awareness of the content and usefulness for the research of the Egyptological archives and the history of the discipline.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The teaching program covers general topics and specific in-depth studies on the history, archaeology, culture, religion, language and literature of Pharaonic Egypt. In the part A, elements of history, archaeology, culture and religion will be provided. Issues related to the history of Egyptological discipline will also be discussed, with particular reference to the Archives of Egyptology of the University of Milan and illustrating documents preserved in them. In the part B the archaeological, historical and cultural aspects related to the Aswan area will be presented. The part C will be dedicated to the ancient Egyptian language, writings and literature and will give the basics of grammar and reading of texts in Egyptian hieroglyphic.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
The parts A and B consist of lectures accompanied by images and videos, so that the student can associate archaeological and textual data with historical and cultural ones. Some copyright-free essays will be uploaded onto the ARIEL platform. Through the images and explanations provided during the classes, the student can arrive, associating the personal study of the volumes indicated in the bibliography, at a basic knowledge of the history, archaeology, culture and religion of Pharaonic Egypt.
Part C, dedicated to hieroglyphic writing, language and literature of Pharaonic Egypt, consists of lectures and practical exercises devoted to the reading and comprehension of signs and texts. Course support materials (hieroglyphic signs lists, texts, etc.) will be uploaded onto the ARIEL platform. Thanks to the interaction with the teacher, and to personal study, at the end of the course the student will be able to read and translate simple texts in the Middle Egyptian.
Course attendance is strongly recommended, especially for part C.
Part C, dedicated to hieroglyphic writing, language and literature of Pharaonic Egypt, consists of lectures and practical exercises devoted to the reading and comprehension of signs and texts. Course support materials (hieroglyphic signs lists, texts, etc.) will be uploaded onto the ARIEL platform. Thanks to the interaction with the teacher, and to personal study, at the end of the course the student will be able to read and translate simple texts in the Middle Egyptian.
Course attendance is strongly recommended, especially for part C.
Teaching Resources
Part A (20 hours, 3 ECTS)
- Personal notes from the classes.
- P. PIACENTINI, M. POZZI BATTAGLIA, Egittologia: Un'introduzione, Milano, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, 2023.
- P. PIACENTINI, Egitto dal cielo 1914. La riscoperta del fotografo Theodor Kofler pioniere, prigioniero, professionista / Egypt from the sky. The rediscovery of the photographer Theodor Kofler pioneer, prisoner, professional, Firenze, Phasar, 2015, pp. 7, 19-27, 77-80, 94-135 (the student has to be able to recognise the monuments on the photographs).
For more information (not mandatory): N. GRIMAL, Storia dell'antico Egitto, Bari, Laterza, 1990 (or any other edition).
Part B (20 hours, 3 ECTS)
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Specific essays mentioned during the classes and on ARIEL.
Part C (20 hours, 3 ECTS)
- Personal notes from the classes
- R. DE SPENS, Lezioni di epigrafia geroglifica, Milano, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, 2021.
- For more information (not mandatory): E.M. Ciampini, La lingua dell'antico Egitto, Milano, Hoepli, 2018.
Bibliography for students who cannot attend the classes
Part A
- P. PIACENTINI, M. POZZI BATTAGLIA, Egittologia: Un'introduzione, Milano, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, 2023.
- P. PIACENTINI, Egitto dal cielo 1914. La riscoperta del fotografo Theodor Kofler pioniere, prigioniero, professionista / Egypt from the sky. The rediscovery of the photographer Theodor Kofler pioneer, prisoner, professional, Firenze, Phasar, 2015, pp. 7, 19-27, 77-80, 94-135 (the student has to be able to recognise the monuments on the photographs). The book is bilingual.
- THREE essays chosen by the student among those published in the journal EDAL: Egyptian and Egyptological Documents Archives Libraries VI (2017), Milano, Pontremoli Editore.
(EDAL can be purchased at a discounted price, by students who can provide their UNIMI inscription number, through the website of Pontremoli publisher: http://www.libreriapontremoli.it or going directly to the bookstore of the Pontremoli publisher in Milano).
- For more information (not mandatory): N. GRIMAL, Storia dell'antico Egitto, Bari, Laterza, 1990 (or any other edition).
Part B
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From the Sand to the Library. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2010 (Chapters II, III, IV).
Part C
- R. DE SPENS, Lezioni di epigrafia geroglifica, Milano, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, 2021.
- For more information (not mandatory): E.M. Ciampini, La lingua dell'antico Egitto, Milano, Hoepli, 2018.
- Personal notes from the classes.
- P. PIACENTINI, M. POZZI BATTAGLIA, Egittologia: Un'introduzione, Milano, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, 2023.
- P. PIACENTINI, Egitto dal cielo 1914. La riscoperta del fotografo Theodor Kofler pioniere, prigioniero, professionista / Egypt from the sky. The rediscovery of the photographer Theodor Kofler pioneer, prisoner, professional, Firenze, Phasar, 2015, pp. 7, 19-27, 77-80, 94-135 (the student has to be able to recognise the monuments on the photographs).
For more information (not mandatory): N. GRIMAL, Storia dell'antico Egitto, Bari, Laterza, 1990 (or any other edition).
Part B (20 hours, 3 ECTS)
- Personal notes from the classes.
- Specific essays mentioned during the classes and on ARIEL.
Part C (20 hours, 3 ECTS)
- Personal notes from the classes
- R. DE SPENS, Lezioni di epigrafia geroglifica, Milano, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, 2021.
- For more information (not mandatory): E.M. Ciampini, La lingua dell'antico Egitto, Milano, Hoepli, 2018.
Bibliography for students who cannot attend the classes
Part A
- P. PIACENTINI, M. POZZI BATTAGLIA, Egittologia: Un'introduzione, Milano, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, 2023.
- P. PIACENTINI, Egitto dal cielo 1914. La riscoperta del fotografo Theodor Kofler pioniere, prigioniero, professionista / Egypt from the sky. The rediscovery of the photographer Theodor Kofler pioneer, prisoner, professional, Firenze, Phasar, 2015, pp. 7, 19-27, 77-80, 94-135 (the student has to be able to recognise the monuments on the photographs). The book is bilingual.
- THREE essays chosen by the student among those published in the journal EDAL: Egyptian and Egyptological Documents Archives Libraries VI (2017), Milano, Pontremoli Editore.
(EDAL can be purchased at a discounted price, by students who can provide their UNIMI inscription number, through the website of Pontremoli publisher: http://www.libreriapontremoli.it or going directly to the bookstore of the Pontremoli publisher in Milano).
- For more information (not mandatory): N. GRIMAL, Storia dell'antico Egitto, Bari, Laterza, 1990 (or any other edition).
Part B
- P. PIACENTINI (ed.), Egypt and the Pharaohs. From the Sand to the Library. Pharaonic Egypt in the Archives and Library of the Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Università degli Studi di Milano-SKIRA, 2010 (Chapters II, III, IV).
Part C
- R. DE SPENS, Lezioni di epigrafia geroglifica, Milano, Le Monnier Università / Mondadori Education, 2021.
- For more information (not mandatory): E.M. Ciampini, La lingua dell'antico Egitto, Milano, Hoepli, 2018.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The student's expected learning outcomes are ascertained through an oral exam. The exam consists of an interview on the topics of the program, aimed at ascertaining basic knowledge on the history, archaeology and ancient Egyptian culture, as well as on the history of the discipline. During the interview, images of monuments and archaeological sites (shown in the classroom during the course or included in the volumes in bibliography) will be presented to the student. He will need to recognize and contextualize them. Students who follow the C part are expected to be able to read and translate the Egyptian hieroglyphic texts explained during the course and to have acquired the rudiments of ancient Egyptian grammar.
Evaluation parameters will be: ability to present the acquired knowledge in a clear and exhaustive way; capacity for critical reasoning on the study carried out; quality of exposure; competence in the use of specialized vocabulary.
The vote is expressed in thirtieths (minimum 18, maximum 30/30 cum laude).
The student can follow the parts A and B or A and C to obtain 6 credits (the introductory part A is mandatory). Instead, the student must follow parts A (20 hours, 3 ECTS), B (20 hours, 3 ECTS) and C (20 hours, 3 ECTS) to earn 9 credits.
It is not possible to obtain only 3 ECTS (following a single part).
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 designated Office.
Evaluation parameters will be: ability to present the acquired knowledge in a clear and exhaustive way; capacity for critical reasoning on the study carried out; quality of exposure; competence in the use of specialized vocabulary.
The vote is expressed in thirtieths (minimum 18, maximum 30/30 cum laude).
The student can follow the parts A and B or A and C to obtain 6 credits (the introductory part A is mandatory). Instead, the student must follow parts A (20 hours, 3 ECTS), B (20 hours, 3 ECTS) and C (20 hours, 3 ECTS) to earn 9 credits.
It is not possible to obtain only 3 ECTS (following a single part).
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 designated Office.
Unita' didattica A
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-OR/02 - EGYPTOLOGY AND COPTIC CIVILIZATION - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 11am-13am, Thursday 11am-12am, on appointment by e-mail
Office (Library of Egyptology)