Ancient Documents in Their Visual and Performative Context
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course contributes to the MA in Visual, Intellectual and Cultural History by introducing students to approach ancient documents as sources for cultural history, contextualizing them in the spatial, performative and visual dimension of the ancient Greek city (polis) and her countryside.
Students will deal with different aspects of the life of ancient communities, including the process of decision making, war and military training, economy, religion, family and social life. These aspects will be approached based on the analysis, discussion and in-class presentation of selected sources, which, in the case of material remains, inscriptions and texts addressing vast audiences, will be considered also in their visual and performative context. Students will learn the different typologies and characteristics of ancient documents as well as the challenges their interpretation entails.
Students will deal with different aspects of the life of ancient communities, including the process of decision making, war and military training, economy, religion, family and social life. These aspects will be approached based on the analysis, discussion and in-class presentation of selected sources, which, in the case of material remains, inscriptions and texts addressing vast audiences, will be considered also in their visual and performative context. Students will learn the different typologies and characteristics of ancient documents as well as the challenges their interpretation entails.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- understand, explain and discuss the different aspects of life of ancient communities in specific spheres, such as politics, economy, war, religion, justice, family and social life;
- use and interpret different types of ancient documents with focus on those addressing public audiences;
- formulate research questions based on the analysis of ancient sources and historiographical materials;
- lead and participate in public discussions;
- write and present (in English) pieces of original research on specific case studies;
- use digital instruments and multimedia to present case studies both in class and online.
- understand, explain and discuss the different aspects of life of ancient communities in specific spheres, such as politics, economy, war, religion, justice, family and social life;
- use and interpret different types of ancient documents with focus on those addressing public audiences;
- formulate research questions based on the analysis of ancient sources and historiographical materials;
- lead and participate in public discussions;
- write and present (in English) pieces of original research on specific case studies;
- use digital instruments and multimedia to present case studies both in class and online.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The course will deal with ancient documents as sources for the cultural history of the ancient Greek world from the classical to the imperial period. After introducing students to the methodologies and aims of cultural history - with a particular focus on the branch of visual history in Antiquity - it will proceed with discussing not only written texts, but also (and mainly) inscriptions. The aim is that of understanding and reconstructing the cultural aspects of war, religion, politics, economy, social structure, and private life in Antiquity based on ancient documents, with focus on inscriptions.
Unit 1: Introduction: A Cultural History of the Ancient Greek world: Sources, Methodology, Aims.
Unit 2: Greek inscriptions: Some Case-studies.
Unit 3: Flipped-classroom: Presenting and Discussing Selected Documents.
Unit 1: Introduction: A Cultural History of the Ancient Greek world: Sources, Methodology, Aims.
Unit 2: Greek inscriptions: Some Case-studies.
Unit 3: Flipped-classroom: Presenting and Discussing Selected Documents.
Prerequisites for admission
No requisite in addition to those required for admission to the MA.
Teaching methods
Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory. Teaching is based on intensive participation of students to the in-class activities: after some initial frontal lectures by the lecturer aimed at introducing the students to the sources and methods of the cultural history of the ancient Greek world, teaching is delivered mainly through interactive seminars and flipped-classrooms. Students will perform the task of leading an in-class discussion, as they present and discuss the case studies they have prepared within group activities, based on a specific reading list to be agreed with the lecturer in advance. Presentations deploy specific tools, such as Powerpoint, and they can include multimedia materials, such as videos. Ancient sources and didactic materials will be uploaded on the online platform MyAriel.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
Case-studies discussed in-class and in the following volumes:
M. M. Austin, The Hellenistic World from Alexander to the Roman Conquest: A Selection of Ancient Sources in Translation. Cambridge, 1981.
R. Osborne, P. J. Rhodes, Greek Historical Inscriptions, 478-404 BC. Oxford, 2017.
P. J. Rhodes, R. Osborne, Greek Historical Inscriptions, 404-323 BC. Oxford, 2003.
Non-attending studentsi:
B. H. McLean, An Introduction to Greek Epigraphy of the Hellenistic and Roman Periods: From Alexander the Great to the Reign of Constantine (323 BC-AD 337). Ann Arbor, 2002.
P. J. Rhodes, A short History of Ancient Greece, London 2014
Kallet, L., & Kroll, J. H. (2020). The Athenian Empire: Using Coins as Sources.
Preparation of the following inscriptions, contained in these volumes:
P.J. Rhodes- R. Osborne, Greek Historical Inscriptions 404-323 BCE, Oxford 2003.
R. Osborne-P.J. Rhodes, Greek Historical Inscriptions, 478-404 BCE, Oxford 2017.
1. Public Curses from Teos and Abdera
(Osborne-Rhodes 2017: no. 102)
2.Athenian decree about tribute collection (or Cleinias' decree)
(Osborne-Rhodes 2017: no. 154)
3.Athenian decree for founding a colony at Brea
(Osborne-Rhodes 2017: no. 142)
4.Foundation decree of the Second Athenian League
(Rhodes-Osborne 2003: no. 22)
5.Athenian decree and oath about Iulis
Rhodes-Osborne 2003: no. 39)
6.Agreement between Olbia and Miletus
(Rhodes-Osborne 2003: no. 93)
7.Agreement between Kos and Kalymnos
(Austin 2006: no. 153)
8.Honorific decree for Protogenes of Olbia
(Austin 2006: no. 115)
For the 9CFU the preparation of the full programme is required; for 6CFU preparation of the above-listed volumes (McLean 2002 and Rhodes 2014) and inscriptions n.1, n.2., n.4, n 8 from the list.
Case-studies discussed in-class and in the following volumes:
M. M. Austin, The Hellenistic World from Alexander to the Roman Conquest: A Selection of Ancient Sources in Translation. Cambridge, 1981.
R. Osborne, P. J. Rhodes, Greek Historical Inscriptions, 478-404 BC. Oxford, 2017.
P. J. Rhodes, R. Osborne, Greek Historical Inscriptions, 404-323 BC. Oxford, 2003.
Non-attending studentsi:
B. H. McLean, An Introduction to Greek Epigraphy of the Hellenistic and Roman Periods: From Alexander the Great to the Reign of Constantine (323 BC-AD 337). Ann Arbor, 2002.
P. J. Rhodes, A short History of Ancient Greece, London 2014
Kallet, L., & Kroll, J. H. (2020). The Athenian Empire: Using Coins as Sources.
Preparation of the following inscriptions, contained in these volumes:
P.J. Rhodes- R. Osborne, Greek Historical Inscriptions 404-323 BCE, Oxford 2003.
R. Osborne-P.J. Rhodes, Greek Historical Inscriptions, 478-404 BCE, Oxford 2017.
1. Public Curses from Teos and Abdera
(Osborne-Rhodes 2017: no. 102)
2.Athenian decree about tribute collection (or Cleinias' decree)
(Osborne-Rhodes 2017: no. 154)
3.Athenian decree for founding a colony at Brea
(Osborne-Rhodes 2017: no. 142)
4.Foundation decree of the Second Athenian League
(Rhodes-Osborne 2003: no. 22)
5.Athenian decree and oath about Iulis
Rhodes-Osborne 2003: no. 39)
6.Agreement between Olbia and Miletus
(Rhodes-Osborne 2003: no. 93)
7.Agreement between Kos and Kalymnos
(Austin 2006: no. 153)
8.Honorific decree for Protogenes of Olbia
(Austin 2006: no. 115)
For the 9CFU the preparation of the full programme is required; for 6CFU preparation of the above-listed volumes (McLean 2002 and Rhodes 2014) and inscriptions n.1, n.2., n.4, n 8 from the list.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: total evaluation based on 60% evaluation of oral exam and 40% evaluation of classroom work (presentations and participation in discussions, written questions-set during classes) for attending students. Only oral exam (100% of the evaluation) for non-attending students. Non-attending students are invited to contact the Lecturer in advance to agree on the selection of ancient sources to discuss at the exam.
- Type of examination: oral interrogation and in-classroom activities, as indicated above.
- Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialized lexicon in English; capacity of understanding and interpreting ancient historical sources; capacity of presenting and discussing ancient documents and historiographical problems by using digital technologies (such as, PowerPoint).
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30ths.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as with the relevant office.
- Type of examination: oral interrogation and in-classroom activities, as indicated above.
- Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialized lexicon in English; capacity of understanding and interpreting ancient historical sources; capacity of presenting and discussing ancient documents and historiographical problems by using digital technologies (such as, PowerPoint).
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30ths.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as with the relevant office.
Part A and B
L-ANT/02 - GREEK HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-ANT/02 - GREEK HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
11-14
Teams