27168 - Epigraphy and Greek Institutions

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be able to read and interpret Greek inscriptions, define and describe the different types and establish an approximate chronology. They will be familiar with the use of inscriptions as historical sources, especially in studying Greek institutions, public or private. They will have a basic knowledge of these last by directly reading the main authors or the documents relating to them. They will be able to explain institutional and social phenomena by comparison and linkages extending to different periods and geographical settings. Students will learn to use the most important databases of Greek inscriptions and begin to know how to find bibliography and information about inscriptions and Greek institutions. They will learn to use the appropriate terminology, and will acquire a critical approach to problem-solving via analysis of inscription data and applying the relevant models to interpret social and institutional processes.

Course contents

For Greek Epigraphy (6 CFU):

1. How to read, record, date and interprete an epigraphy: methods, techniques, heuristic.

2. Types of monuments and inscriptions from origins to Late Antiquity (with examples).

3. Greek inscriptions as historical sources for Greek and Roman civilizations: reading and commenting texts.

For Greek institutions (6 CFU):

1. Sources and tools for the study of Greek institutions, both public and private.

2. Reading and commentary of a selection of Greek literary and epigraphic sources on religious celebrations and public festivals in the ancient Greek cities.

Please remind that, for the final assessment, all the Greeek texts which will be read, translated and commented during the course have to be read in Greek, so ancient Greek must be studied and learnt, at least at a basic level.

A detailed list of inscriptions and sources will be provided during the course and will be included among the teaching materials online (cf. virtuale.unibo.it).

Period of the lessons: from September 16 to December 18, 2024 (Greek epigraphy, first term; Greek Institutions, second term). The course of Greek epigraphy also corresponds with that of Epigraphy and Greek Institutions (6 CFU) for the first cycle degree programme in Humanities (prof. Lucia Criscuolo).

Readings/Bibliography

For Greek epigraphy:

M. Guarducci, L'Epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato, Roma 1987.

The text of the inscriptions read, translated and commented during classes will be available on www.iol.unibo.it at the end of the course.

For Greek institutions:

1. G. Camassa, Forme della vita politica dei Greci in età arcaica e classica, Milano, Monduzzi Editoriale, Milano, 2007.

2. L. Bruit-Zaidman - P. Schmitt Pantel, La religione greca, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1992.

3. The following chapters included in S. Settis (ed.), I Greci. Storia cultura arte società, I, Noi e i Greci, Torino, Einaudi, 1996: J.N. Bremmer, Modi di comunicazione con il divino: la preghiera, la divinazione e il sacrificio nella civiltà greca, pp. 239-283; and H.W. Pleket, L'agonismo sportivo, pp. 507-537.

4. Ancient sources read and commented during the lessons (for which see virtuale.unibo.it).

Teaching methods

The course consists mainly of workshops: students will take part in lessons and practise studying ancient sources (related to the topic of the course) and solving related problems.

Those who never studied ancient Greek language and alphabet before are strongly recommended to start immediately. Remind that courses of ancient Greek at a basic level are regularly organized at the University of Bologna. The knowledge of ancient Greek will be strengthened through the reading of selected inscriptions during the course.

Assessment methods

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending. We recommend students who do not attend all the lessons, or part of them, to contact the teachers for indications on further readings.

The oral examination will test the knowledge of the course contents (including selected inscriptions) and of the individual study texts. It will take place in two steps: 1. questions about the texts included in the bibliography above (more particularly, as far as the handbook is concerned, epigraphic typologies, main characters and formulas); 2. questions about the Greek literary or epigraphic texts studied during the course (the student will be asked to read, translate and comment upon such sources and to answer a question about the lessons' contents).

The assessment will test:

- the basic knowledge of the discipline;

- the critical approach to ancient sources and modern historiographical interpretations;

- the ability to communicate orally, in particular skills in synthesis and in logical organization of the topics and the mastery of an appropriate vocabulary.

Students who show a mature understanding of the topics covered in class and/or of the bibliography indicated and the ability to use them critically, expounding them correctly and with correct terminology, will be evaluated at the maximum; a mnemonic knowledge of the subject (especially translations of the texts), counterbalanced by general analytical and framing skills, and a correct but not always appropriate language, will lead to a good evaluation; minimal knowledge of the subject, some gaps in content and/or inappropriate language will receive grades that do not exceed sufficiency; serious or extensive gaps in the knowledge of texts and/or bibliography, inappropriate language, inability to correctly frame the topics covered, and no skills in reading and commenting upon the texts do not allow to pass.

Punctuality to the exams is recommended. Please remind that no students are allowed to give exams out of the public lists.

During the academic year, there will be exams every month from January to June (the dates of these exams are already indicated in Almaesami), then one in October and one in December.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Original sources and sources to be read will be supplied online (cf. virtuale.unibo.it). Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Mari

See the website of Lucia Criscuolo