Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the necessary tools for the knowledge and research of the protection of the environment and of the cultural heritage in the context of Roman law, through the analysis of historiography and the reading and commentary of both literary and legal sources.
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to navigate the different types of sources examined, to be able to reflect independently and critically on how the ancients dealt with the problems of pollution and the exploitation of natural resources, and finally to be able to understand the value of the solution approaches of ancient experience for the present.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The course aims to consider ancient man’s approach to the environment and cultural heritage. The course is characterised by an examination of both literary and legal sources from which to derive the tools designed to contrast pollution.
Full programme
The course is structured in two parts. In the first part, it aims to consider whether and to what extent Roman law contained rules on environmental protection. The teaching will begin by presenting the ecological problems that arose as early as Roman times. It will then go on to examine, through the reading of passages from Pliny the Elder, Seneca the philosopher and other ancient authors, how the Roman world perceived pollution and the exploitation of natural resources. This will be followed by an analysis of the legal sources that have played a role in the protection and preservation of the environment. In particular, the legal instruments prepared for the protection of water will be analysed (criminal laws; interdicts; actiones), also with regard to its use in aqueducts; measures aimed at combating urban pollution, preserving the wholesomeness of sewers and limiting private nuisances will then be considered.
In the second part, teaching will focus on the protection of the architectural heritage, through a study of sources from both the imperial and late antique age (in particular Nov. Maior. 4 de aedificiis publicis). The regulation aimed at preserving the buildings and monuments of the city of Rome has multiple implications and is connected with the concept of utilitas publica.
Bibliography
L. Solidoro Maruotti, La tutela dell’ambiente nella sua evoluzione storica. L’esperienza del mondo antico, Torino, Giappichelli, 2009, pp. 1-148.
C. Corbo, Diritto e decoro urbano in Roma antica, Napoli, Satura, 2019, pp. 19-146.
Teaching methods
The course is conducted both through introductory lectures on the sources and in seminar format, through the reading and commentary of various texts, both literary and legal.
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of learning will consist of an oral examination with at least three questions, each of which will be scored individually from 0 to 10. The assessment parameters are the acquisition of the basic notions, the ability to reason, the ability to contextualise the historical phenomenon and the property of language.
The final passing grade will be expressed on a grading scale of 18 to 30.
Other information
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