85137 - Archaeology of Magna Graecia Cities

Learning outcomes

The course aims to deepen the peculiarities of the urban civilisation of the Greek world, with particular reference to the characteristics of urban schemes, monumental apparatuses and their evolution, and the different forms of culture promoted in the contexts of the poleis from the Minoan-Mycenaean age to late Hellenism. The student deals with the colonial Greek world of the West, addressing specific in-depth themes. These also concern the different aspects of figurative expressions and material culture, according to the methods developed in the different historical and social contexts. The student is therefore able, at the end of the course, to move critically within the issues addressed, not only with useful tools for the correct understanding and elaboration of the knowledge produced in the specific field, but is also in possession of the knowledge indispensable for elaborating projects and conducting research in archaeological fieldwork.

Course contents

The programme examines the birth and development of the urban model in the Western Greek world, understood in its broadest sense. After the first examples in the Minoan and Mycenaean spheres, the Greek founding cities will be examined, with a focus on the area of Magna Graecia and Sicily.

- The Euboic colonies: Pithecusa, Cuma, Zancle, Region, Naxos;

- The Doric colonies: Syracuse, Megara Hyblea, Selinunte; Locri, Taranto;

- The Achaean colonies: Croton, Sybaris; Metapontum, Poseidonia;

- The Rhodian-Cretan colonies: Gela, Agrigento.

During the lessons the theme of the so-called 'Archaeology of Death' will also be developed, declined through some significant examples taken from the above-mentioned cities.

There will also be an in-depth thematic presentation entitled ‘Apulian Painting in the Hellenistic Age’ by Dr Michael Benfatti (expert in the subject).

STUDENTS WHO INTEND TO FOLLOW THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATION ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE COURSE ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW THE TRAINING MODULES ON SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE (https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio). FOR THE EXCAVATION, HEALTH FITNESS IS ALSO REQUIRED, WHICH IS ASSESSED FOLLOWING A MEDICAL EXAMINATION ORGANISED BY THE UNIVERSITY'S OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE SERVICE.

Readings/Bibliography

FREQUENT STUDENTS: In addition to the lecture notes, the study of at least one of the following textbooks is indispensable for exam preparation:
- E. DE JULIIS, Magna Grecia. L'Italia meridionale dalle origini leggendarie alla conquista romana, Edipuglia 1996

- E. GRECO, Archaeology of Western Greece 1: Magna Graecia, Bologna 2008
- G.F. LA TORRE, Sicily and Magna Graecia. Archeologia della colonizzazione greca d'Occidente, Laterza Bari 2011

- P. G. GUZZO, Greek Foundations. Southern Italy and Sicily (8th and 7th centuries BC), Carocci, Rome 2011

- P.G. GUZZO, Le città di Magna Grecia e di Sicilia dal VI al I secolo. I. Magna Graecia, Rome 2016

- M. OSANNA, Mondo nuovo. Viaggio alle origini della Magna Grecia, Milano 2024

NON-FREQUENCING STUDENTS: Students who cannot attend lectures are required to study one of the above-mentioned textbooks and one of the following texts of their choice:

- M. TORELLI, Gods and Craftsmen. Archeologia delle colonie greche d'Occidente, Laterza, Bari 2011

- E. GRECO, Magna Grecia (Guide Archeologiche Laterza), Bari 1980 with reprints

- H. DUDAY, The archaeology of the dead: lectures in Archaeothanatology, Oxbow Books 2009

- V. NIZZO, Archaeology and Anthropology of Death. Storia di un'idea, Edipuglia, 2015

- N. LANERI, Archaeology of death, Carocci, 2011

- F. COLIVICCHI, Lo specchio e lo strigile. Exchange of symbols and exchange between the sexes, in F.H. Massa-Pairault (ed.), L'image antique et son interprétation (Collection de l'Ecole française de Rome, 371), Rome 2006, pp. 277-300

- M. CIPRIANI, A. M. DE FEO, M. L. RIZZO and A. SANTORIELLO, Una rilettura delle necropoli pestane. I contesti di Andriuolo e della Licinella, in Tra Etruria, Lazio e Magna Grecia. Indagini sulle necropoli. Proceedings of the Study Meeting (Fisciano, 5-6 March 2009), Paestum 2009, pp. 209-232

- B. d'AGOSTINO, La necropoli e i rituali della morte, in S. Settis (ed.), I Greci. History, culture, art, society, 2. A Greek history, 1. Formation, Turin 1996, pp. 435-470

- E. GRECO, La 'tomba' del fondatore e le origini di Poseidonia (Quaderni di antichità pestane 3), Paestum 2014

- A. PONTRANDOLFO, A. ROUVERET, M. CIPRIANI, F. LONGO, La tomba del Tuffatore e le altre tombe dipinte di Paestum, Paestum 2015

- F. PESANDO, Five easy pieces on the Roman house. Studies and Conferences (1999-2018), Naples 2020

- F. PESANDO, G. ZUCHTRIEGEL (eds.), Abitare in Magna Grecia: l'età arcaica, Pisa 2020

- V. CAMINNECI, M.C. PARELLO, M.S. RIZZO, La Valle dei Templi (I luoghi dell'Archeologia), Carocci, Rome 2022

- S. MEDAS, Archeologia della navigazione. Il Mediterraneo antico, Carocci, Roma 2024

Those with special interests (or needs) may contact the lecturer to define possible alternative programmes.

Teaching methods

Given the particular setting of the Course, all students are invited to attend the lectures, which will have as much of a "seminar" slant as possible, with active participation in the presentation of the study topics.

Students who are unable to attend the lectures will have to study a textbook of their choice from those indicated in the "texts/bibliography" section, together with further reading, to be chosen from those recommended in the previous section.

Those with particular interests (or needs) may contact the lecturer to define possible alternative programmes.

Assessment methods

he test will consist of an oral examination, which aims to assess the acquisition of basic knowledge in the field of archaeology and the history of Greek and Roman art. Particular attention will be paid to the solidity of the geographical and chronological reference framework of each site and monument. The acquisition of specialised language will be highly valued.

The aim of the examination is also to verify the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student. Given the importance of attending lectures, the following assessment parameters will be adopted, for both attending and nonattending students.

 

Attending students
The student's ability to participate actively in the lectures will be assessed: these abilities, combined with the achievement of a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter covered in the course of the lectures, with the demonstration of a critical sense and adequate means of verbal expression, will be assessed with maximum marks (27-30 with distinction).
Attendance at lectures, associated with a predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the subject matter of the course and not fully satisfactory verbal expression and logical skills, will be assessed with marks ranging from good (24-26) to satisfactory (21-23).
Class attendance combined with minimal acquisition of the course subject and inadequate verbal expression and logical ability will be assessed with a score of sufficient (18-20).
The absence of a minimum acquisition of the course subject combined with verbal expression and inadequate logical skills will be assessed with an insufficient score, which requires the examination to be retaken.

 

Non-frequenting students
Non-frequent students will be assessed primarily on their ability to use the bibliography and multimedia tools provided to expound appropriately on the course content. This ability, combined with the achievement of a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter covered in the course of the lectures, with the demonstration of a critical sense and with appropriate means of verbal expression, will be assessed with maximum marks (27-30 with distinction).
A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the subject matter of the course, with verbal expression and logical abilities not fully satisfactory, will be assessed with marks between good (24-26) and satisfactory (21-23).

A minimal acquisition of the course subject combined with inadequate verbal expression and logical skills will be assessed with a score of sufficient (18-20).
The absence of a minimum acquisition of the course subject combined with verbal expression and inadequate logical skills will be assessed with an insufficient score, which requires the entire examination to be retaken.

 

 

 

Teaching tools

Lectures will be supported by projected images that will be provided to the student at the end of the lectures and made available on the virtual.unibo.it platform.

Personal in-depth studies, linked to the topics of the Course, are also planned (more details will be provided during the lessons).

Students who, for reasons dependent on disabilities or specific learning disorders (DSA), require compensatory tools may inform the lecturer of their needs so that they can be referred to the contact persons and agree on the adoption of the most appropriate measures.

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Lepore