Greek Epigraphy

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.

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.