Historical Geography of the Ancient World
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the Course is to provide student with the tools to learn the main topics of the ancient geography, both in a synchronic and diachronic way. The anthological study of the different sources (literary, documentary and archaeological) will complete the student knowledge about the ancient Mediterranean world, from the Near East to Rome.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge:
at the end of the Course, students will know the ancient sources (also in original version) in a critical way; some focus on open issues of the field, with the related international literature.
Skills:
Students will be able to use and discuss ancient sources (literary, archaeological) in a comparative way; build a scientific bibliography on a topic; set up their own research (also in view of a thesis).
at the end of the Course, students will know the ancient sources (also in original version) in a critical way; some focus on open issues of the field, with the related international literature.
Skills:
Students will be able to use and discuss ancient sources (literary, archaeological) in a comparative way; build a scientific bibliography on a topic; set up their own research (also in view of a thesis).
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 course is divided into three Parts:
the Part 1 looks into the history of Ancient Geography and the Geography of the (major) ancient history writers (a selection of topic sources). Two main approaches will be pursued: descriptive geography, from Homer, the Periplous, Herodotus, Polybius, Strabo, Pliny the Elder, to Dionysius Periegetes; mathematical geography according to Eratosthenes and Claudius Ptolemaeus.
The Part 2 focuses on the theory and practice of ancient maps through literary and documentary sources, and their uses in daily life. Findings from the Ancient Near East (III millennium BC) to the Peutinger Table will be studied. In particular: clay maps from Mesopotamia, the Turin Gold Mine Papyrus, the Soleto Ostrakon, some papyri from Greco-roman Egypt with ground plans, the (new) Artemidorus Papyrus, the Forma Urbis Romae, the Stadiasmos Patarensis, the Dura-Europos shield, the Madaba map, the miniatures of Cosmas Indicopleustes and the Peutinger Table. Archaeological finds and literary sources will be combined in a critical analysis, also in the light of historical interpretations offered in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Part 3 will focus on some problems of ancient ecology, especially for some environmental protection practices in Roman World. Sources will be Authors and greek papyri.
the Part 1 looks into the history of Ancient Geography and the Geography of the (major) ancient history writers (a selection of topic sources). Two main approaches will be pursued: descriptive geography, from Homer, the Periplous, Herodotus, Polybius, Strabo, Pliny the Elder, to Dionysius Periegetes; mathematical geography according to Eratosthenes and Claudius Ptolemaeus.
The Part 2 focuses on the theory and practice of ancient maps through literary and documentary sources, and their uses in daily life. Findings from the Ancient Near East (III millennium BC) to the Peutinger Table will be studied. In particular: clay maps from Mesopotamia, the Turin Gold Mine Papyrus, the Soleto Ostrakon, some papyri from Greco-roman Egypt with ground plans, the (new) Artemidorus Papyrus, the Forma Urbis Romae, the Stadiasmos Patarensis, the Dura-Europos shield, the Madaba map, the miniatures of Cosmas Indicopleustes and the Peutinger Table. Archaeological finds and literary sources will be combined in a critical analysis, also in the light of historical interpretations offered in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The Part 3 will focus on some problems of ancient ecology, especially for some environmental protection practices in Roman World. Sources will be Authors and greek papyri.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
Lectures, slides, powerpoint presentations, materials and links on case studies.
Students will find all the materials and news on Ariel (for news also via Newletter-Mail during the Course).
Master students can choose to prepare a short presentation (max. 15 min.) about an assigned topic. This presentation will be considered part of the final exam.
Students will find all the materials and news on Ariel (for news also via Newletter-Mail during the Course).
Master students can choose to prepare a short presentation (max. 15 min.) about an assigned topic. This presentation will be considered part of the final exam.
Teaching Resources
Exam Programmes are different for attending students and non-attending students.
Exam programme for attending students.
Master students have to prepare a Supplementary part (approved by the professor. This Supplement can be an oral Presentation to the Class, max. 15 min).
Part 1
In addition to personal lecture notes, students will choose one of these two volumes:
- S. BIANCHETTI, Geografia storica del mondo antico, Bologna, Monduzzi editore, 2008
- F. CORDANO, La geografia degli antichi, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2006.
The use of an historical Atlas (Ancient World) is a necessary tool for each part of Program. We recommend:
G. ARRIGONI (a cura di), A. van Kampen, Orbis terrarum antiquus. Atlante storico del mondo antico, Bergamo, Sestante edizioni, 2010.
Part 2
In addition to personal lecture notes, students will prepare:
- H.J. GEHRKE, Antiche rappresentazioni dello spazio e imperialismo romano, from "Geographia antiqua" 16-17, 2007-08, pp. 61-71 (available both online, through Unimi/Biblioteche/Minerva Catalogue and at the Biblioteca Sottocrociera);
- P. JANNI, Meglio piatta che sferica. Cosmologia arcaica e propaganda imperiale, from "Geographia antiqua" 18, 2009, pp. 107-122;
- F. PRONTERA, Il Mediterraneo: scoperta e rappresentazione, from "Geographia antiqua" 16-17, 2007-08, pp. 41-59 (again available online through Unimi/Biblioteche/Minerva Catalogue and at the Biblioteca Sottocrociera.
Part 3:
The notes of the Course, including the sources, literary and documentary, analysed.
Programme for NON-Attending students
Master students have to prepare a Supplementary part (approved by the professor).
Parts nos. 1 and 2
All the material listed above (without the Course Notes) and the Cartography Lessons from Ariel site, 2024-25, nos. 11-21 (available from April 2025);
and two chapters from D. JOUANNA, Vicino, lontano. Come i Greci vedevano il mondo, Roma, Carocci, 2020, cap. 3 (Immaginare l'altrove, pp. 35-44) e cap. 10 (Fantasticare sui mondi, pp. 165-182, book available at Biblioteca SA.FM.).
Part 3
- L. THOMMEN, L'ambiente nel mondo antico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
Exam programme for attending students.
Master students have to prepare a Supplementary part (approved by the professor. This Supplement can be an oral Presentation to the Class, max. 15 min).
Part 1
In addition to personal lecture notes, students will choose one of these two volumes:
- S. BIANCHETTI, Geografia storica del mondo antico, Bologna, Monduzzi editore, 2008
- F. CORDANO, La geografia degli antichi, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2006.
The use of an historical Atlas (Ancient World) is a necessary tool for each part of Program. We recommend:
G. ARRIGONI (a cura di), A. van Kampen, Orbis terrarum antiquus. Atlante storico del mondo antico, Bergamo, Sestante edizioni, 2010.
Part 2
In addition to personal lecture notes, students will prepare:
- H.J. GEHRKE, Antiche rappresentazioni dello spazio e imperialismo romano, from "Geographia antiqua" 16-17, 2007-08, pp. 61-71 (available both online, through Unimi/Biblioteche/Minerva Catalogue and at the Biblioteca Sottocrociera);
- P. JANNI, Meglio piatta che sferica. Cosmologia arcaica e propaganda imperiale, from "Geographia antiqua" 18, 2009, pp. 107-122;
- F. PRONTERA, Il Mediterraneo: scoperta e rappresentazione, from "Geographia antiqua" 16-17, 2007-08, pp. 41-59 (again available online through Unimi/Biblioteche/Minerva Catalogue and at the Biblioteca Sottocrociera.
Part 3:
The notes of the Course, including the sources, literary and documentary, analysed.
Programme for NON-Attending students
Master students have to prepare a Supplementary part (approved by the professor).
Parts nos. 1 and 2
All the material listed above (without the Course Notes) and the Cartography Lessons from Ariel site, 2024-25, nos. 11-21 (available from April 2025);
and two chapters from D. JOUANNA, Vicino, lontano. Come i Greci vedevano il mondo, Roma, Carocci, 2020, cap. 3 (Immaginare l'altrove, pp. 35-44) e cap. 10 (Fantasticare sui mondi, pp. 165-182, book available at Biblioteca SA.FM.).
Part 3
- L. THOMMEN, L'ambiente nel mondo antico, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment consists of an oral exam. The questions will be on a source (literary or documentary), a theme, an ancient author (an ancient writer of geography) from the Course and from the reading list. Marks are out of 30, the minimum mark is 18/30.
Assessment criteria for undergraduate students: knowledge of the topics, comprehensive information, quality of the vocabulary.
Assessment criteria for master (graduate) students: in addition to the abilities listed above: critical attitude, ability to command discipline-specific language, sound method in dealing with the ancient sources (also in original language, if applicable).
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course.
Also students with disabilities and/or SLD should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Assessment criteria for undergraduate students: knowledge of the topics, comprehensive information, quality of the vocabulary.
Assessment criteria for master (graduate) students: in addition to the abilities listed above: critical attitude, ability to command discipline-specific language, sound method in dealing with the ancient sources (also in original language, if applicable).
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course.
Also students with disabilities and/or SLD should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Modules or teaching units
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)