Learning objectives
At the end of the class, students should be able to:
1. Know and understand the contribution of Greek epigraphy and its research methodology to historical reconstruction; know the fundamental lines of development of alphabetic writing from the archaic age to the Hellenistic age and the main categories of epigraphic sources; understand the basic notions of interpretation, classification, dating, edition, and commentary of inscriptions and the use of the most important databases and research tools for the study of Greek epigraphy, both traditional and digital; know the main institutions of the Greek world and understand how they worked (knowledge and understanding).
2. Apply the knowledge of information and the use of tools acquired in class to the reading, interpretation, classification, dating, and commentary of Greek epigraphic documents, both in the original language or in translation (applying knowledge and understanding).
3. Know how to analyze and critically assess – with full autonomy – data obtained from epigraphic sources and secondary literature in view of historical reconstruction, in particular as far as the working of Greek institutions is concerned (making judgments).
4. Know how to communicate and present with clarity, making use of the appropriate technical vocabulary, the content and characteristics of epigraphic documents and the conclusions one may draw from them for historical reconstruction (communication skills).
5. Develop the learning skills necessary for pursuing the study of ancient history and preparatory to the drafting of a degree thesis (learning skills).
Prerequisites
A good knowledge of Greek history as acquired through the relevant exam.
The knowledge of the ancient Greek language is welcome, but the class is open also to those students who do not have any knowledge of it.
Course unit content
The course consists of a single unit (6 cfu = 30 hours) and is scheduled in the second part of the second semester (April 11th – May 12th 2023). This unit is meant as an introduction to the discipline of Greek epigraphy and to its research methodology. As such, it will cover the origin and development of alphabetic writing from the archaic age to the Hellenistic age, the main categories of epigraphic sources, the basic notions of interpretation, classification, dating, edition, and commentary of inscriptions, and the use of the most important databases and research tools for the study of Greek epigraphy, both traditional and digital. A significant part of the class will be devoted to the role of inscriptions as historical sources, in particular for the study of Greek institutions, both public and private, through the reading and analysis of specific epigraphic texts.
Full programme
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Bibliography
1. Selected chapters from M. Guarducci, “L’epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero”, Roma 1987 (the book is available for reference in the university library; in any case, the instructor will upload to Elly the selected chapters).
2. Further specific bibliography that will be indicated by the instructor during the class and uploaded to the platform Elly.
3. A collection of epigraphical texts that will be discussed in class and made available by the instructor through the platform Elly.
The final program in view of the exams will be made available on Elly at the end of the class.
Non-attending students are expected to contact the instructor directly to receive information about the class material and to establish the content of the exam.
Teaching methods
Lectures and practical exercises in reading epigraphic documents and in using the most important traditional and digital research tools, for a total of 30 hours.
Assessment methods and criteria
The learning assessment consists of an oral examination.
Students will be able to pass the exam (18-23/30) if they demonstrate, at least to a sufficient degree, that they know the content of the class and the research methodology of the discipline, know how to read, interpret, and comment on Greek epigraphic documents in the original language or in translation, know how to use the most important traditional and digital research tools, know how to use data obtained from epigraphic sources for historical reconstruction, in particular as far as the working of Greek institutions is concerned, communicate in a relatively clear manner and with a sufficiently appropriate vocabulary the content and characteristics of epigraphic documents and the conclusions one may draw from them for historical reconstruction.
Students who do not fulfill these basic requirements will fail the exam.
Students will achieve middle-range grades (24-27/30) if they demonstrate to fulfill to a more than sufficient or to a good degree the requirements listed above.
Students will achieve higher grades (28-30/30 cum laude) if they demonstrate a solid mastery of the content of the class and the research methodology of the discipline, the capacity to operate with full autonomy both in the reading, interpretation, and commentary of Greek epigraphic documents and in the use of the most important traditional and digital research tools, the capacity to critically asses data obtained from epigraphic sources for historical reconstruction, the ability to communicate in a clear manner and with the appropriate technical vocabulary the content and characteristics of epigraphic documents and the conclusions one may draw from them for historical reconstruction.
Other information
All students are expected to sign up for the class on Elly before lectures start and to check always on the platform the available material and the indications provided by the instructor. It is equally important that during classes and close to the exams students keep constantly monitored their official e-mail address (@studenti.unipr.it) in order not to miss important announcements and communications sent by the instructor.
