93586 - People and Cultures of Central Asia

Learning outcomes

In this course you will study the populations and cultures of Central Asia in their historical development and their relations on the one hand with the Iranian world, on the other with the East. Central Asia has been at the center of the great transit routes of the populations that moved westward and the large commercial routes, on which goods and ideas passed in both directions. It was also - and still partially is - the point of contact between nomadic and sedentary populations and the meeting point of different languages, cultures and religions. After attending this course the student has a good general knowledge of the development of the region in historical perspective, acquires a specific knowledge of the individual populations that inhabit it and their mutual cultural, political and economic relationships in the Central Asian geopolitical framework.

Course contents

1. Definitions of Central Asia. Outline of the history of Central Asia in antiquity. Central Asia before the Achaemenids. The Oxus civilization. Formation of the Achaemenid Empire. Central Asia in ancient Persian inscriptions. Alexander in Central Asia.

2. The Mongol conquest of Central Asia through Mongol, Arab, and Persian sources.

3. The Great Game: Central Asia between the Russian and British Empires.

Readings/Bibliography

B. Lyonnet, N.A. Dubova, “Questioning the Oxus Civilization or Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex (BMAC): an Overview”. The World of the Oxus Civilization. Ed. by B. Lyonnet, N.A. Dubova, London, N.Y, 2021: Routledge, pp. 7-64.

A. Lubotsky, “What Language Was Spoken by the People of the Bactria-Margiana Archaeological Complex”. At the Shores of the Sky. Asian Studies for A. Hoffstädt. Ed. by P.W. Kroll, J.H. Silk. Leiden, Boston, 2020: Brill, pp. 5-11.

Erodoto, Le Storie. Milano: Mondadori.

Strabone, Geografia. Libri XI-XII: Caucaso, Asia Centrale e Anatolia. Milano: Rizzoli.

Arriano, Anabasi di Alessandro. Milano: Mondadori.

C.A. Ciancaglini, “Sciti, iranici, nomadi: problemi di etnonimia in Strabone”. Studi sull’XI libro dei Geographika di Strabone. A cura di G. Traina. Galatina, 2001: Congedo editore.

R.G. Kent, Old Persian. Grammar. Texts. Lexicon. New Haven, 1953: American Oriental Society.

Ata-Malik Juvaini, Gengis Khan. Milano: Mondadori.

Giovanni di Pian di Carpine, Storia dei Mongoli. A cura di P. Daffinà et alii. Spoleto 1989: CISAM.

S. Kozin, Storia segreta dei Mongoli. ebook 2021.

P. Hopkirk, Il grande gioco. I Servizi Segreti in Asia Centrale. Milano, 2004.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons using textual material for students.

Assessment methods

Oral exam with registration through AlmaEsami. During the exam the basic knowledge related to the program will be verified; the ability to understand and explain the main problems faced during the lessons will be assessed with discussion and comment on the sources; particular attention will also be paid to the historical development of the discipline.

Solid vision of the subjects presented in the class, knowledge of the related arguments with precision in the terminology, ability in the critical reference to the different aspects of the discipline = highest votes.

Mnenomic knowledge with a correct language but not always consistent and critically argumented = discrete valutation.

Weak preparation, unfitting language, mistakes, incompetence in the bibliographical items, uncritical references = insufficient

Teaching tools

manuals, videos

Students who are affected by learning disability (DSA) and in need of special strategies to compensate it, are kindly requested to contact the Teacher, in order to be referred to the colleagues in charge and get proper advice and instructions.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Ognibene