Greek Epigraphy
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The aim of the course it to provide students with the basic elements, methods and technical aspects of Greek epigraphy as well as an introduction to the use of inscriptions as a source for historical research.
Examination of a selection of documents, both public and private, will moreover illuminate important aspects of the political, administrative, social and cultural history of the Greek world.
Examination of a selection of documents, both public and private, will moreover illuminate important aspects of the political, administrative, social and cultural history of the Greek world.
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: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title: Greek Inscriptions of Sicily. A glimpse into institutions, culture and history of ancient Sicily.
The topics dealt with during the course include:
Part A: Greek epigraphy: alphabets, types of inscribed material, categories of texts, techniques of reading and transcribing inscriptions.
Parts B-C: Institutions, culture and history of ancient Sicily through Greek inscriptions.
The topics dealt with during the course include:
Part A: Greek epigraphy: alphabets, types of inscribed material, categories of texts, techniques of reading and transcribing inscriptions.
Parts B-C: Institutions, culture and history of ancient Sicily through Greek inscriptions.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is addressed to students who have already knowledge of ancient Greek and of the of the broad outlines of Greek history and of its most important events and figures.
Teaching methods
Part A will be offered in a lecture format and will be dedicated to the history of Greek epigraphy and its technical aspects. Parts B and C will be offered as seminar presentations, open to discussion and developed through the study of a set of inscriptions, analyzed both in their palaeographic aspects both in their historical, economic, institutional context. An introduction to the use of the fundamental bibliographical and electronic resources will be provided.
The teaching is also based on educational material provided on ARIEL, where texts and documents discussed during the course will be available for downloading as well.
Attendance of the course is highly recommended.
The teaching is also based on educational material provided on ARIEL, where texts and documents discussed during the course will be available for downloading as well.
Attendance of the course is highly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Programme for 6 ECTS for attending students
A
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section A), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- M. Guarducci, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 1987, limited to pp. 10-80; 90-278; 313-320; 326-358; 418-442
- G. Bagnasco, F. Cordano (ed. by), Scritture mediterranee tra il IX e il VII secolo a.C. Atti del seminario (Milano, 23-24 febbraio 1998), Milano, Edizioni ET, 1998, limited to the essays by M.L. Lazzarini, Questioni relative all'origine dell'alfabeto greco, pp. 53-66, and A.C. Cassio, Epica greca e scrittura tra VIII e VII sec. a.C.: madrepatria e colonie d'Occidente, pp. 67-84
B
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section B), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- C. Ampolo, D. Erdas, Iscriptiones Segestanae. Le iscrizioni greche e latine di Segesta, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2019, limited to the introductory section, the Greek inscriptions (pp. 1-107) and to the appendices nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pp. 145-161)
- F. Cordano, leggi calcidesi di Monte San Mauro di Caltagirone, in Decima Miscellanea greca e romana, Roma 1986, pp. 33-60
Programme for 9 ECTS for attending students
A
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section A), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- M. Guarducci, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 1987, limited to pp. 10-80; 90-278; 313-320; 326-358; 418-442
- G. Bagnasco, F. Cordano (ed. by), Scritture mediterranee tra il IX e il VII secolo a.C. Atti del seminario (Milano, 23-24 febbraio 1998), Milano, Edizioni ET, 1998, limited to the essays by M.L. Lazzarini, Questioni relative all'origine dell'alfabeto greco, pp. 53-66, and A.C. Cassio, Epica greca e scrittura tra VIII e VII sec. a.C.: madrepatria e colonie d'Occidente, pp. 67-84
B
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section B), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- C. Ampolo, D. Erdas, Iscriptiones Segestanae. Le iscrizioni greche e latine di Segesta, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2019, limited to the introductory section, the Greek inscriptions (pp. 1-107) and to the appendices nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pp. 145-161)
- F. Cordano, Le leggi calcidesi di Monte San Mauro di Caltagirone, in Decima Miscellanea greca e romana, Roma 1986, pp. 33-60
C
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section B), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- A. Brugnone, Istituzioni e strutture politiche a Himera e Thermae, in C. Ampolo (ed. by), La Città e le città della Sicilia Antica, Edizioni Quasar, Roma 2022, pp. 275-296
- J. Prag, A new bronze honorific inscription from Halaesa, Sicily, in two copies, in «Journal of Epigraphic Studies», 1, 2018, pp. 93-141
- a short report on an inscription to be agreed with the teacher is required
Programme for 6 ECTS for non attending students
A
- M. Guarducci, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 1987, limited to pp. 10-80; 90-278; 313-320; 326-358; 418-442
- G. Bagnasco, F. Cordano (a cura di), Scritture mediterranee tra il IX e il VII secolo a.C. Atti del seminario (Milano, 23-24 febbraio 1998), Milano, Edizioni ET, 1998, limited to the essays by M.L. Lazzarini, Questioni relative all'origine dell'alfabeto greco, pp. 53-66, and A.C. Cassio, Epica greca e scrittura tra VIII e VII sec. a.C.: madrepatria e colonie d'Occidente, pp. 67-84
- M.L. Lazzarini, La scrittura nella città: iscrizioni, archivi e alfabetizzazione, in S. Settis (ed. by), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II. Una storia greca, 2, Definizione, Torino, Einaudi, pp. 725-750
- G. Boffa, "Prima colonizzazione" e "primo alfabeto". Il ruolo della scrittura nell'interazione culturale fra le più antiche fondazioni greche in Occidente e l'ambiente italico, in L. Donnellan, V. Nizzo e G.-J. Burgers (ed. by), Contexts of Early Colonization. Papers of the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome, 64. Roma, Palombi Editori, 2016, pp. 335-349
B
- C. Ampolo, D. Erdas, Iscriptiones Segestanae. Le iscrizioni greche e latine di Segesta, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2019, limited to the introductory section, the Greek inscriptions (pp. 1-107) and to the appendices nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pp. 145-161)
- F. Cordano, Le leggi calcidesi di Monte San Mauro di Caltagirone, in Decima Miscellanea greca e romana, Roma 1986, pp. 33-60
- C. Antonetti, S. De Vido, Iscrizioni greche. Un'antologia, Roma, Carocci, 2017, inscriptions nos. 17; 18; 22; 26; 37
Programme for 9 ECTS for non attending students
A
- M. Guarducci, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 1987, pp. 10-80; 90-278; 313-320; 326-358; 418-442
- G. Bagnasco, F. Cordano (ed. by), Scritture mediterranee tra il IX e il VII secolo a.C. Atti del seminario (Milano, 23-24 febbraio 1998), Milano, Edizioni ET, 1998, limited to the essays by M.L. Lazzarini, Questioni relative all'origine dell'alfabeto greco, pp. 53-66, and A.C. Cassio, Epica greca e scrittura tra VIII e VII sec. a.C.: madrepatria e colonie d'Occidente, pp. 67-84
- M.L. Lazzarini, La scrittura nella città: iscrizioni, archivi e alfabetizzazione, in S. Settis (ed. by), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II. Una storia greca, 2, Definizione, Torino, Einaudi, pp. 725-750
- G. Boffa, "Prima colonizzazione" e "primo alfabeto". Il ruolo della scrittura nell'interazione culturale fra le più antiche fondazioni greche in Occidente e l'ambiente italico, in L. Donnellan, V. Nizzo e G.-J. Burgers (ed. by), Contexts of Early Colonization. Papers of the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome, 64. Roma, Palombi Editori, 2016, pp. 335-349
B
- C. Ampolo, D. Erdas, Iscriptiones Segestanae. Le iscrizioni greche e latine di Segesta, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2019, limited to the introductory section, the Greek inscriptions (pp. 1-107) and to the appendices nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pp. 145-161)
- F. Cordano, Le leggi calcidesi di Monte San Mauro di Caltagirone, in Decima Miscellanea greca e romana, Roma 1986, pp. 33-60
- C. Antonetti, S. De Vido, Iscrizioni greche. Un'antologia, Roma, Carocci, 2017, inscriptions nos. 17; 18; 22; 26; 37
C
- M. Dreher, La Sicilia antica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2010
- J. Prag, A new bronze honorific inscription from Halaesa, Sicily, in two copies, in «Journal of Epigraphic Studies», 1, 2018, pp. 93-141
International and Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
A
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section A), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- M. Guarducci, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 1987, limited to pp. 10-80; 90-278; 313-320; 326-358; 418-442
- G. Bagnasco, F. Cordano (ed. by), Scritture mediterranee tra il IX e il VII secolo a.C. Atti del seminario (Milano, 23-24 febbraio 1998), Milano, Edizioni ET, 1998, limited to the essays by M.L. Lazzarini, Questioni relative all'origine dell'alfabeto greco, pp. 53-66, and A.C. Cassio, Epica greca e scrittura tra VIII e VII sec. a.C.: madrepatria e colonie d'Occidente, pp. 67-84
B
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section B), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- C. Ampolo, D. Erdas, Iscriptiones Segestanae. Le iscrizioni greche e latine di Segesta, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2019, limited to the introductory section, the Greek inscriptions (pp. 1-107) and to the appendices nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pp. 145-161)
- F. Cordano, leggi calcidesi di Monte San Mauro di Caltagirone, in Decima Miscellanea greca e romana, Roma 1986, pp. 33-60
Programme for 9 ECTS for attending students
A
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section A), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- M. Guarducci, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 1987, limited to pp. 10-80; 90-278; 313-320; 326-358; 418-442
- G. Bagnasco, F. Cordano (ed. by), Scritture mediterranee tra il IX e il VII secolo a.C. Atti del seminario (Milano, 23-24 febbraio 1998), Milano, Edizioni ET, 1998, limited to the essays by M.L. Lazzarini, Questioni relative all'origine dell'alfabeto greco, pp. 53-66, and A.C. Cassio, Epica greca e scrittura tra VIII e VII sec. a.C.: madrepatria e colonie d'Occidente, pp. 67-84
B
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section B), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- C. Ampolo, D. Erdas, Iscriptiones Segestanae. Le iscrizioni greche e latine di Segesta, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2019, limited to the introductory section, the Greek inscriptions (pp. 1-107) and to the appendices nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pp. 145-161)
- F. Cordano, Le leggi calcidesi di Monte San Mauro di Caltagirone, in Decima Miscellanea greca e romana, Roma 1986, pp. 33-60
C
Together with the lectures notes and ancient sources examined during the course (section B), the knowledge of the following texts is required:
- A. Brugnone, Istituzioni e strutture politiche a Himera e Thermae, in C. Ampolo (ed. by), La Città e le città della Sicilia Antica, Edizioni Quasar, Roma 2022, pp. 275-296
- J. Prag, A new bronze honorific inscription from Halaesa, Sicily, in two copies, in «Journal of Epigraphic Studies», 1, 2018, pp. 93-141
- a short report on an inscription to be agreed with the teacher is required
Programme for 6 ECTS for non attending students
A
- M. Guarducci, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 1987, limited to pp. 10-80; 90-278; 313-320; 326-358; 418-442
- G. Bagnasco, F. Cordano (a cura di), Scritture mediterranee tra il IX e il VII secolo a.C. Atti del seminario (Milano, 23-24 febbraio 1998), Milano, Edizioni ET, 1998, limited to the essays by M.L. Lazzarini, Questioni relative all'origine dell'alfabeto greco, pp. 53-66, and A.C. Cassio, Epica greca e scrittura tra VIII e VII sec. a.C.: madrepatria e colonie d'Occidente, pp. 67-84
- M.L. Lazzarini, La scrittura nella città: iscrizioni, archivi e alfabetizzazione, in S. Settis (ed. by), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II. Una storia greca, 2, Definizione, Torino, Einaudi, pp. 725-750
- G. Boffa, "Prima colonizzazione" e "primo alfabeto". Il ruolo della scrittura nell'interazione culturale fra le più antiche fondazioni greche in Occidente e l'ambiente italico, in L. Donnellan, V. Nizzo e G.-J. Burgers (ed. by), Contexts of Early Colonization. Papers of the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome, 64. Roma, Palombi Editori, 2016, pp. 335-349
B
- C. Ampolo, D. Erdas, Iscriptiones Segestanae. Le iscrizioni greche e latine di Segesta, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2019, limited to the introductory section, the Greek inscriptions (pp. 1-107) and to the appendices nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pp. 145-161)
- F. Cordano, Le leggi calcidesi di Monte San Mauro di Caltagirone, in Decima Miscellanea greca e romana, Roma 1986, pp. 33-60
- C. Antonetti, S. De Vido, Iscrizioni greche. Un'antologia, Roma, Carocci, 2017, inscriptions nos. 17; 18; 22; 26; 37
Programme for 9 ECTS for non attending students
A
- M. Guarducci, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, 1987, pp. 10-80; 90-278; 313-320; 326-358; 418-442
- G. Bagnasco, F. Cordano (ed. by), Scritture mediterranee tra il IX e il VII secolo a.C. Atti del seminario (Milano, 23-24 febbraio 1998), Milano, Edizioni ET, 1998, limited to the essays by M.L. Lazzarini, Questioni relative all'origine dell'alfabeto greco, pp. 53-66, and A.C. Cassio, Epica greca e scrittura tra VIII e VII sec. a.C.: madrepatria e colonie d'Occidente, pp. 67-84
- M.L. Lazzarini, La scrittura nella città: iscrizioni, archivi e alfabetizzazione, in S. Settis (ed. by), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II. Una storia greca, 2, Definizione, Torino, Einaudi, pp. 725-750
- G. Boffa, "Prima colonizzazione" e "primo alfabeto". Il ruolo della scrittura nell'interazione culturale fra le più antiche fondazioni greche in Occidente e l'ambiente italico, in L. Donnellan, V. Nizzo e G.-J. Burgers (ed. by), Contexts of Early Colonization. Papers of the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome, 64. Roma, Palombi Editori, 2016, pp. 335-349
B
- C. Ampolo, D. Erdas, Iscriptiones Segestanae. Le iscrizioni greche e latine di Segesta, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2019, limited to the introductory section, the Greek inscriptions (pp. 1-107) and to the appendices nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (pp. 145-161)
- F. Cordano, Le leggi calcidesi di Monte San Mauro di Caltagirone, in Decima Miscellanea greca e romana, Roma 1986, pp. 33-60
- C. Antonetti, S. De Vido, Iscrizioni greche. Un'antologia, Roma, Carocci, 2017, inscriptions nos. 17; 18; 22; 26; 37
C
- M. Dreher, La Sicilia antica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2010
- J. Prag, A new bronze honorific inscription from Halaesa, Sicily, in two copies, in «Journal of Epigraphic Studies», 1, 2018, pp. 93-141
International and Erasmus incoming students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral and aims at ascertaining students'ability to read and to set inscriptions in their historical context, and knowledge of the main epigraphic collections and digital tools for the study of Greek inscriptions on the basis of the materials and sources provided (and uploaded on the Ariel platform) and of the books in the reading list. During the last lessons of the course students undertaking 9 cfu programme will prepare a short report containing critical edition and comment of an inscription to be agreed in time with the teacher, which will be evaluated together with the oral exam.
Assessment criteria are the following: ability to organize knowledge through discourse; critical reasoning skills with regard to the topics considered; ability to present topics and express oneself with the specialist language appropriate to the discipline.
Marks are out of 30. Minimum passing grade 18.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Assessment criteria are the following: ability to organize knowledge through discourse; critical reasoning skills with regard to the topics considered; ability to present topics and express oneself with the specialist language appropriate to the discipline.
Marks are out of 30. Minimum passing grade 18.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant 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
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Professor(s)