Phoenician and Punic Archaeology
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide the students with the necessary instruments for the understanding of Phoenician culture and its specific material outcomes, through the analysis of historical sources and especially archaeological and epigraphic evidence. This analysis will be carried out starting from the Syro-Palestinian coast to the different areas of the Mediterranean colonization, in the period between the beginning of the Levantine Iron Age (c. 1200 BC) and the Hellenistic Period. Students will be driven through the analysis of Phoenician cultural-historical developments in the East and West, and the Punic expansion in the Western colonial sphere from the mid-6th century BC to the
Roman conquest. Classes will focus on cultural interactions in the Levantine sphere between Phoenicians and other peoples of the region, as well as relationships with the Greeks, both in the East and in the western colonies.
Roman conquest. Classes will focus on cultural interactions in the Levantine sphere between Phoenicians and other peoples of the region, as well as relationships with the Greeks, both in the East and in the western colonies.
Expected learning outcomes
Conceptual background: Acquisition of fundamental knowledge about the historical-archaeological developments of the Phoenician civilization in the East (Syro-Palestinian coast) and in the colonies founded by Phoenicians in the Mediterranean (Cyprus, North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, Malta, and the Iberian Peninsula), through the analysis of archaeological, iconographic and textual sources. Expertise in the methodologies of analysis and history of studies, from the emergence of discipline to the most recent developments.
Competences: Acquisition of skills in the critical analysis and assessment of the historical-archaeological evidence of the Phoenician civilization and its Punic developments, in order to be able to recognize, at a diachronic and geographical level, the different cultural spheres that are part of the broad Phoenician horizon, as well as to be able to independently delineate the historical and cultural development in the several macro-regions (Cyprus, North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, Malta and the Iberian Peninsula).
Competences: Acquisition of skills in the critical analysis and assessment of the historical-archaeological evidence of the Phoenician civilization and its Punic developments, in order to be able to recognize, at a diachronic and geographical level, the different cultural spheres that are part of the broad Phoenician horizon, as well as to be able to independently delineate the historical and cultural development in the several macro-regions (Cyprus, North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia, Malta and the Iberian Peninsula).
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The course provides an in-depth examination of the various material and, more broadly, cultural expressions of Phoenician civilization in the Eastern Mediterranean and in settlements in the West, from the late 2nd to the 1st millennium BCE, up to the Hellenistic period.
The syllabus is divided into three main sections:
(1) An introductory general part (10 hours), focusing on the origins of Phoenician civilization and the identity of the Phoenicians, the nature of the boundaries of historic Phoenicia, and their relations with other peoples of the coastal Levant;
(2) A second part (15 hours), which will concentrate on the archaeological evidence from the main Phoenician sites in the coastal Levant and Cyprus. This section will include a diachronic analysis of production activities, material culture, and religious aspects, with particular attention to the differences between the formative phase (12th-10th centuries BCE), the peak of the Iron Age (9th-6th centuries BCE), the phase of Persian domination over Phoenicia (5th-4th centuries BCE), and brief references to transformations during the Hellenistic period;
(3) A third part (15 hours), which will focus on Phoenician expansion in the West, spanning North Africa, Sicily, Malta, Sardinia, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Balearic Islands throughout the 1st millennium BCE. This section will include specific studies on the major Phoenician and Punic settlements, such as Carthage, analyzed diachronically through the study of certain aspects of material culture (urban organization, production systems, funerary practices, and the structure of religious cults).
The oral exam will cover all three sections (6 ECTS).
The syllabus is divided into three main sections:
(1) An introductory general part (10 hours), focusing on the origins of Phoenician civilization and the identity of the Phoenicians, the nature of the boundaries of historic Phoenicia, and their relations with other peoples of the coastal Levant;
(2) A second part (15 hours), which will concentrate on the archaeological evidence from the main Phoenician sites in the coastal Levant and Cyprus. This section will include a diachronic analysis of production activities, material culture, and religious aspects, with particular attention to the differences between the formative phase (12th-10th centuries BCE), the peak of the Iron Age (9th-6th centuries BCE), the phase of Persian domination over Phoenicia (5th-4th centuries BCE), and brief references to transformations during the Hellenistic period;
(3) A third part (15 hours), which will focus on Phoenician expansion in the West, spanning North Africa, Sicily, Malta, Sardinia, the Iberian Peninsula, and the Balearic Islands throughout the 1st millennium BCE. This section will include specific studies on the major Phoenician and Punic settlements, such as Carthage, analyzed diachronically through the study of certain aspects of material culture (urban organization, production systems, funerary practices, and the structure of religious cults).
The oral exam will cover all three sections (6 ECTS).
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prior knowledge is required; however, acquiring basic knowledge of history and archaeology relating to the ancient world (with particular reference to Western Asia and the Mediterranean in both the pre-classical and classical periods) during the three-year period will be useful for understanding the topics covered.
Teaching methods
The three parts of the course are structured around lectures with PowerPoint presentations, and may also include the use of videos and online resources. The course will be enhanced by a series of seminars with invited scholars, who will engage in discussions with the students. The lessons will consistently involve classroom discussions to monitor students' understanding of the topics and track the progression of their knowledge. Additionally, these discussions aim to help students refine their critical thinking skills.
The teaching materials will be made available on the Ariel platform, including materials from the lectures, articles for further study of specific topics, links to relevant web portals, and resources for students who do not attend the classes.
The teaching materials on the Ariel platform include outlines, open-access articles, links to portals and videos, as well as the reference bibliography.
The teaching materials will be made available on the Ariel platform, including materials from the lectures, articles for further study of specific topics, links to relevant web portals, and resources for students who do not attend the classes.
The teaching materials on the Ariel platform include outlines, open-access articles, links to portals and videos, as well as the reference bibliography.
Teaching Resources
For attending students:
Part 1
· Lecture notes, articles, and materials provided during the course
Parts 2 and 3
· C. Bonnet, E. Guillon, F. Porzia, La civiltà dei Fenici. Un percorso mediterraneo nel I millennio a.C., Roma 2020, Carocci.
· S.F. Bondì, M. Botto, G. Garbati, I. Oggiano, Fenici e Cartaginesi, una civiltà mediterranea, Roma 2009, Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato.
· Readings and articles to be agreed upon with the instructor based on the specific interests of the students
For non-attending students:
· The texts indicated for attending students
· For Part 1, a substitute reading for the lectures, to be agreed upon with the instructor
· Instead of the lectures for Parts 2 and 3, an in-depth study with related bibliography to be agreed upon with the lecturer
Part 1
· Lecture notes, articles, and materials provided during the course
Parts 2 and 3
· C. Bonnet, E. Guillon, F. Porzia, La civiltà dei Fenici. Un percorso mediterraneo nel I millennio a.C., Roma 2020, Carocci.
· S.F. Bondì, M. Botto, G. Garbati, I. Oggiano, Fenici e Cartaginesi, una civiltà mediterranea, Roma 2009, Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato.
· Readings and articles to be agreed upon with the instructor based on the specific interests of the students
For non-attending students:
· The texts indicated for attending students
· For Part 1, a substitute reading for the lectures, to be agreed upon with the instructor
· Instead of the lectures for Parts 2 and 3, an in-depth study with related bibliography to be agreed upon with the lecturer
Assessment methods and Criteria
Learning assessment is conducted orally, through an interview. The final grade is expressed in thirtieths. The exam consists of a dialogue, based on the topics outlined in the syllabus (Parts 1, 2, 3), and may also involve the identification and critical discussion of key monuments, artifacts, and documents. Evaluation is based on the following criteria: the depth of knowledge acquired, the ability to reason independently and critically on the topics discussed, expressive competence, and the appropriate use of the discipline's specific terminology.
International or incoming Erasmus students should contact the course lecturer for further details. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning difficulties (SLDs) should be agreed upon with the lecturer, in collaboration with the relevant office.
International or incoming Erasmus students should contact the course lecturer for further details. Examination arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning difficulties (SLDs) should be agreed upon with the lecturer, in collaboration with the relevant office.
L-OR/06 - PHOENICIAN AND PUNIC ARCHAEOLOGY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Pedrazzi Tatiana
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