Latin Epigraphy
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims at providing a detailed knowledge of the Latin Epigraphy, with particular regard as to the methods employed in reading, analyzing and interpreting Latin epigraphical documents.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: upon successful completion of the course students are expected to acquire the critical and methodological instruments which are necessary to read and interpret Latin inscriptions, and to employ the most used epigraphical corpuses and inventories.
Skills: students are also expected to develop abilities to compile an epigraphical file, namely to transcribe, integrate and interpret Latin inscriptions. Such abilities shall be employed to reconstruct various aspects of the political, institutional and administrative history of Rome.
Skills: students are also expected to develop abilities to compile an epigraphical file, namely to transcribe, integrate and interpret Latin inscriptions. Such abilities shall be employed to reconstruct various aspects of the political, institutional and administrative history of Rome.
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
The Mediterranean area in the Roman age through epigraphic documents (60 hours / 9 CFU)
Part A (20 hours / 3 CFU): Latin Epigraphy: instruments and methods
Part B (20 hours / 3 CFU): Augustus' Res Gestae and the documents of the administration of the empire
Part C (20 hours /3 CFU): Epigraphic Latin documents from the Mediterranean basin in the Roman Age
The course is organized into three Parts. Part A aims at introducing students to the interpretation of Latin inscriptions, to the methods and instruments which are necessary to study epigraphical documents (such as corpora, databases, inventories). The analysis of different typologies of inscriptions (such as religious, funerary, honorary, official acts, etc.) will provide students with a comprehensive view on the epigraphical evidence.
Part B will be primarily devoted to the study of a selection of excerpts from Augustus' Res Gestae, the so-called "Queen of Inscriptions", according to Mommsen's famous definition. This document will also allow, among other things, to introduce the major administrative developments which appeared during the Augustan age. In this respect, special attention will be devoted to documents that reflect the administrative reforms implemented, or planned, by Augustus.
Part C will delve into epigraphical Latin documents from Roman communities of the Mediterranean basin. We will especially focus on the administrative aspects which characterized the evolution and the growth of the Roman power throughout the Mediterranean Sea starting from the 1st century BC.
Part A (20 hours / 3 CFU): Latin Epigraphy: instruments and methods
Part B (20 hours / 3 CFU): Augustus' Res Gestae and the documents of the administration of the empire
Part C (20 hours /3 CFU): Epigraphic Latin documents from the Mediterranean basin in the Roman Age
The course is organized into three Parts. Part A aims at introducing students to the interpretation of Latin inscriptions, to the methods and instruments which are necessary to study epigraphical documents (such as corpora, databases, inventories). The analysis of different typologies of inscriptions (such as religious, funerary, honorary, official acts, etc.) will provide students with a comprehensive view on the epigraphical evidence.
Part B will be primarily devoted to the study of a selection of excerpts from Augustus' Res Gestae, the so-called "Queen of Inscriptions", according to Mommsen's famous definition. This document will also allow, among other things, to introduce the major administrative developments which appeared during the Augustan age. In this respect, special attention will be devoted to documents that reflect the administrative reforms implemented, or planned, by Augustus.
Part C will delve into epigraphical Latin documents from Roman communities of the Mediterranean basin. We will especially focus on the administrative aspects which characterized the evolution and the growth of the Roman power throughout the Mediterranean Sea starting from the 1st century BC.
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the Latin Language
Teaching methods
The course will be offered in a lecture on line format. Online databases (especially Epigraphic Database Roma and Epigraphische Datenbank Clauss Slaby) will allow students to visualize and examine inscriptions. Some inscriptions will be uploaded on the Ariel website of the course.
Teaching Resources
Bibliographical references for attending students:
Part A
1) Lecture notes and related slides
2) A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina, Carocci
Part B
1) Lecture notes and related slides
2) Ottaviano Augusto, Res Gestae, a cura di L. Canali, Mondadori.
Part C
1) Lecture notes and related slides
2) C. Letta, S. Segenni, L'amministrazione romana. Stato e città in età repubblicana e imperiale, Carocci.
Attending students aiming to take the 6 credits exam must attend Part A and Part B, study the related lectures notes, texts (available on the Ariel platform) and bibliographical material for Parts A and B.
Attending students that will take the 6 credits exam are exonerated from attending Part C and from studying the related material
Attending students who will take the 9 credits exam must attend Parts A, B and C, and study the related lecture notes, texts (available on Ariel) and bibliographical material for the Parts A, B and C.
Bibliographical indications for not attending students:
Part A
1) A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina, Carocci
2) C. Letta, S. Segenni, L'amministrazione romana. Stato e città in età repubblicana e imperiale, Carocci.
Part B
1) Augusto, Res Gestae. I miei atti, a cura di P. Arena, Edipuglia
2) AA.VV., Iscrizioni funerarie latine, Rusconi, pp. VII-CXIX
Part C
1) M.L. Caldelli, M. Cèbeillac, F. Zevi, Epigrafia latina. Ostia: cento iscrizioni in contesto, Quasar (a selection of 30 inscriptions must be arranged with the teacher)
2) P. Lepore, Introduzione allo studio dell'epigrafia giuridica latina, Giuffrè
Part A
1) Lecture notes and related slides
2) A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina, Carocci
Part B
1) Lecture notes and related slides
2) Ottaviano Augusto, Res Gestae, a cura di L. Canali, Mondadori.
Part C
1) Lecture notes and related slides
2) C. Letta, S. Segenni, L'amministrazione romana. Stato e città in età repubblicana e imperiale, Carocci.
Attending students aiming to take the 6 credits exam must attend Part A and Part B, study the related lectures notes, texts (available on the Ariel platform) and bibliographical material for Parts A and B.
Attending students that will take the 6 credits exam are exonerated from attending Part C and from studying the related material
Attending students who will take the 9 credits exam must attend Parts A, B and C, and study the related lecture notes, texts (available on Ariel) and bibliographical material for the Parts A, B and C.
Bibliographical indications for not attending students:
Part A
1) A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina, Carocci
2) C. Letta, S. Segenni, L'amministrazione romana. Stato e città in età repubblicana e imperiale, Carocci.
Part B
1) Augusto, Res Gestae. I miei atti, a cura di P. Arena, Edipuglia
2) AA.VV., Iscrizioni funerarie latine, Rusconi, pp. VII-CXIX
Part C
1) M.L. Caldelli, M. Cèbeillac, F. Zevi, Epigrafia latina. Ostia: cento iscrizioni in contesto, Quasar (a selection of 30 inscriptions must be arranged with the teacher)
2) P. Lepore, Introduzione allo studio dell'epigrafia giuridica latina, Giuffrè
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final test will consist in an oral examination, in which students will be evaluated as to the acquired competence in the epigraphical field, with special reference to the themes treated during the course and in the handbook. Ability to read and comment on inscriptions will be especially evaluated.
Unita' didattica A
L-ANT/03 - ROMAN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-ANT/03 - ROMAN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-ANT/03 - ROMAN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
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