Papyrology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The Papyrology course, which is tailored for beginners, has as main educational aim the introduction to the study of literary and documentary texts transmitted on papyrus and parchment (and other writing materials) and the understanding of the importance of these texts within the broader context of the primary sources (both literary and documentary) that are exploited in the study of the ancient world.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: the student learns the methods for reading and analysing the texts transmitted on papyrus and other writing materials as well as the methods for extracting from these texts pieces of information that are relevant for the knowledge of historical events, the development of economic and social structures, political institutions and ideologies, everyday life and cultural and literary phenomena concerning the regions of the ancient Mediterranean during the span of time going from the 4th century BC to late antiquity.
Skills: students acquire the palaeographical knowledge that is necessary for deciphering the texts using digital images of the original papyrus fragments, in order to be able to reconstruct, interpret and contextualize them. In other words, they learn not only to use already published editions of texts transmitted on papyrus or other writing materials with a critical approach, but also to prepare themselves an edition working on digital images.
Skills: students acquire the palaeographical knowledge that is necessary for deciphering the texts using digital images of the original papyrus fragments, in order to be able to reconstruct, interpret and contextualize them. In other words, they learn not only to use already published editions of texts transmitted on papyrus or other writing materials with a critical approach, but also to prepare themselves an edition working on digital images.
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
A. General introduction to the subject: 1) material aspects: writing materials (papyrus, parchment, ostraca, wooden tablets, lead tablets, ivory, wall), with particular attention to the process of papyrus and parchment production; writing tools and inks; 2) formats (roll, single sheet, codex, rotulus); 3) text types (literary, paraliterary and documentary); 4) languages in which the papyri are written (apart from Greek); 5) geographical areas in which papyri and texts on other writing materials have been found (Greece, Egypt, Herculaneum and other regions of the Near East); 6) archaeological contexts related to the finding of papyri; 7) problems of conservation and restoration; 8) brief history of the development of the field (with particular attention to the archaeological and papyrological discoveries of the 19th century and the early 20th century; 9) general framework of the historical period to which documents on papyrus or other written materials that will be deciphered, read and/or examined in class belong; 10) archives and dossiers.
B. How to prepare a critical edition of a Greek (or Latin) text preserved on papyrus.
1. The Leiden System.
2. Problems of interpretation of a damaged text that has been partially reconstructed through conjecture, and its exploitation as historical source in the study of the ancient world.
3. Greek Palaeography: bookhands, cursive scripts, and informal scripts; scriptio continua, lectional signs and critical signs.
4. Deciphering, reading and palaeographical, philological, and linguistic analysis of fragments belonging to different text types: fragments of ancient books and documents that illustrate the use of the papyri as historical sources (official letters, private letters, administrative documents). Each item will be contextualized within the socio-cultural milieu in which it was produced and circulated.
C. Consolidation of the acquired skills and competences through the study of fragments that are more difficult form the point of view of palaeography and/or textual reconstruction.
B. How to prepare a critical edition of a Greek (or Latin) text preserved on papyrus.
1. The Leiden System.
2. Problems of interpretation of a damaged text that has been partially reconstructed through conjecture, and its exploitation as historical source in the study of the ancient world.
3. Greek Palaeography: bookhands, cursive scripts, and informal scripts; scriptio continua, lectional signs and critical signs.
4. Deciphering, reading and palaeographical, philological, and linguistic analysis of fragments belonging to different text types: fragments of ancient books and documents that illustrate the use of the papyri as historical sources (official letters, private letters, administrative documents). Each item will be contextualized within the socio-cultural milieu in which it was produced and circulated.
C. Consolidation of the acquired skills and competences through the study of fragments that are more difficult form the point of view of palaeography and/or textual reconstruction.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of ancient Greek and Latin, and Graeco-Roman civilization.
Teaching methods
Lecture format.
Teaching Resources
Reference handbook:
Nicola REGGIANI, Papirologia. La cultura scrittoria dell'Egitto greco-romano, Parma 2019.
The digital images of the texts that will be deciphered and/or examined in the lectures, the Power Point Presentations used by the teacher and other relevant items will be available on the site MyAriel (http://myariel.unimi.it).
Nicola REGGIANI, Papirologia. La cultura scrittoria dell'Egitto greco-romano, Parma 2019.
The digital images of the texts that will be deciphered and/or examined in the lectures, the Power Point Presentations used by the teacher and other relevant items will be available on the site MyAriel (http://myariel.unimi.it).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral examination verifies the competences in deciphering, reading, translation, comprehension and contextualization of a text written on papyrus (or other writing materials), the ability to use the technical terminology specific to papyrology and palaeography and to illustrate with a critical approach topics concerning the development of the field and the role that papyri play as sources for social, political, economic, cultural and literary history in an interdisciplinary perspective.
The candidate is given the option of preparing a written work consisting in the edition of a papyrus fragment of his/her own choice (the text choice should be approved by the teacher). He/she will illustrate his/her work at the beginning of the oral exam.
Attendance is recommended. Students that cannot attend the course should contact the teacher as soon as possible.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher.
Also students with disabilities and/or SLD should contact the teacher, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
The candidate is given the option of preparing a written work consisting in the edition of a papyrus fragment of his/her own choice (the text choice should be approved by the teacher). He/she will illustrate his/her work at the beginning of the oral exam.
Attendance is recommended. Students that cannot attend the course should contact the teacher as soon as possible.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher.
Also students with disabilities and/or SLD should contact the teacher, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Professor(s)