Learning objectives
Objectives of the course (preferably expressed in terms of learning outcomes and competences): the aim of the spcialized course is to improve competence in the discipline of Papyrology (advancing skills in reading papyrus texts and using the bibliographic instruments to deepen a correct understanding of interdisciplinary aspects offered by the sources). Introduction to a proper and responsible method of reading, interpretation and study of literary and documentary texts found on papyri.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites are competence in both basic Papyrological skills, in Classical languages (Greek and Latin) and in a historical or cultural area such as Greek Literature, Greek History, Roman History, and Classical Archaeology, for which the sources that are to be studied may be applied.
Course unit content
The specialized course will deal with the reading of both literary and documentary papyri in a historical or cultural area such as Greek Literature, Greek History, Roman History, and Classical Archaeology. Life and culture, history and administration over the Ptolemaic and Roman periods will be explored. Reading will include reproductions of the originals as well as translations. Students will be introduced to a proper method of interpretation of literary and documentary texts found on papyri ranging in date from the fourth century BC to the sixth century AD. A training in the use of bibliographic instruments to deepen a correct understanding of interdisciplinary aspects offered by the sources is also included.
Full programme
Course contents: The Papyrologist at Work. A methodological approach. The block course will deal with the literature and documents that have been found in Egypt. Life and culture, history and administration over the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Archaeological context and the history of the excavations. Palaeographical examination, reading and interpretation of a selection of papyri together with more thorough investigation and exercise with the evidence supplied by literary and documentary texts (reading will include reproductions of the originals as well as translations).
Bibliography
Select Bibliography:
E.G. Turner, Papiri greci, ed. italiana a c. di M. Manfredi, Roma: Carocci, 2002
G. Cavallo, La scrittura greca e latina dei papiri. Una introduzione, Roma: Fabrizio Serra Editore, 2008
H.C. Youtie, The Textual Criticism of Documentary Papyri: Prolegomena, 2nd ed., BICS Suppl. 33, 1974
Th.C. Skeat, La produzione libraria cristiana delle origini: papiri e manoscritti, Firenze 1976 (fotocopie)
C. Gallazzi, La ricerca archeologica a Umm el-Breigât, in Maria Casini (ed.), Cento anni in Egitto. Percorsi dell’archeologia italiana, Milano: Electa, 2001, pp. 171-83
A.E. Hanson, Papyrology: A Discipline in Flux (in G.W. Most, Ed., Disciplining Classics – Altertumswissenschaft als Beruf, Göttingen 2002 = Aporemata 6), pp. 191-206
The Oxford Handbook of Papyrology, Roger S. Bagnall, ed., Oxford 2009
Teaching methods
Education is imparted in a series of lessons, seminars or meetings. Ppt projections and seminar materials prepared for each session prior to attending class. A written paper concerning a pattern of a text edition will be required at the end of the course. A specialized Seminar will deal with the transcription and study of unpublished texts. A training in the use of bibliographic instruments to deepen a correct understanding of interdisciplinary aspects offered by the sources is also included.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination. Written paper aiming at producing a papyrological edition. The exam is passed when the candidate is able to introduce the content of most of the texts presented during the course and which are part of the official programme. Important is also the abilitity of the candidate to set the evidence into a chronological and historical context.
Other information
Guidelines for the papyrological edition of known text and of adespota. The value of these texts for the history of classical scholarship. The electronic edition of fragmentary papyri. Critical study of recent editions and their contribution to the classic tradition. Different genres of literary texts.
