Archaeology

The Imperial Forums. The course explores the largest and most significant monuments of ancient Rome. The realization of the Imperial Forums has deleted large pieces of the historical City; the new squares have been made ​​between Caesar and Trajan in different political contexts and with different ideological motivations; they have represented the scenario for many expressions - material and symbolic - of imperial power since the late antiquity. The study of literary, epigraphic, iconographic and archaeological sources and the critical assessment of the latest results of archaeological research (part I) will introduce us to the analysis of urban transformations that have been imposed by the new squares on the historical center of Rome (part II); afterward we will face the study of individual monuments in the various functional, architectural and decorative components (part III).

it's necessary to have followed at least one course of basic Roman archaeology and sustained the relative examination.

Texts of examination: R. Meneghini, I Fori Imperiali e i Mercati di Traiano. Storia e descrizione dei monumenti alla luce degli studi e degli scavi, Roma 2010. D. Palombi, I Fori prima dei Fori. Storia urbana dei quartieri di Roma antica cancellati per la realizzazione dei Fori Imperiali, Roma 2016. Further bibliography specifies for the single faced themes will be pointed out during the lessons. The not frequenting must contact the teacher to arrange a bibliography specific able to make up for to the missed attendance of the course.

The adopted didactic method combines to the traditional model of the frontal didactics the carrying out of exercises, seminars and jobs of group, with the purpose to develop the abilities of reflexive or auto-direct (self-directed learning) of the student. During the course, in fact, the students will be involved in individual searches and of group. The select method allows the students on one hand to acquire the knowledges, on the other to develop the ability to apply the same knowledge, reaching so one of the main objective of the course. Through the analysis of the archaeological, literary, epigraphic and iconographic sources the course intends to furnish the tools for studying the problem of urban history linked to the constitution of the monumental center in imperial Rome. The course foresees weekly 6 hours of lesson (Monday 9.00-11.00 am, Tuesday 9.00-11.00 am, Wednesday 9.00-11.00 am). Any chances will be communicated.

Attendance is not compulsory, but recommended.

The student will present a topic of his/her choice, followed by questions from the teacher. Is foreseen the carrying out of an oral examination to verify the acquisition of the knowledges communicated during the course. The factors that compete to the formulation of the judgment of worth are the knowledge of the illustrated contexts during the course, the ability of analysis, the ability of reasoning and autonomous study, the study of the suitable bibliography, the bibliographical close examination, critical capacity. An excellent judgment equivale to the vote 30, excellent 30 and praise, very good, good, discreet from 29 to 25, enough, scarce, insufficient from 25 to the 18. The least vote for the overcoming of the examination is the 18.

The adopted didactic method combines to the traditional model of the frontal didactics the carrying out of exercises, seminars and jobs of group, with the purpose to develop the abilities of reflexive or auto-direct (self-directed learning) of the student. During the course, in fact, the students will be involved in individual searches and of group. The select method allows the students on one hand to acquire the knowledges, on the other to develop the ability to apply the same knowledge, reaching so one of the main objective of the course. Through the analysis of the archaeological, literary, epigraphic and iconographic sources the course intends to furnish the tools for studying the problem of urban history linked to the constitution of the monumental center in imperial Rome.

The course will focus on the study of the festival calendar in Athens. An initial introduction will be devoted to understanding how calendars worked in Greece, with the lunar calendar, the task of the months, and the history of studies on festival calendars. We will then move on in chronological order to the various months of the year, studying the festivals at the civic level, the spaces in the city where they took place, and the rituals performed. Among others, particular importance will be given to the Panathenaic festival, the Eleusinian mysteries, the Thesmpophoria, and the rural and urban Dionysia. In addition to the contexts provided by archaeological documentation, research tools will also include literary, epigraphic, and iconographic sources (with particular attention to depictions on Attic vase ceramics).

A basic knowledge of Greek history is encouraged. A basic understanding of Ancient Greek and English (reading texts) is highly recommended. The recommended bibliography will enable students to navigate literary, epigraphic, and archaeological sources with ease.

In addition to the Handbook of Greek Archaeology (communicated in class), Parke's book will be examined: H.W. Parke, Festivals of the Athenians, 1977. Other texts and articles will be communicated during the lessons.

Classes are live. Course attendance is optional, but strongly recommended

The evaluation test will be oral, aimed at assessing the achievement of the educational objectives. The oral test is divided into two parts. I. Basic knowledge of Greek archaeology, assessed through questions relating to the Greek archaeology textbook included in the program; II. Monographic course on sanctuaries. Candidates will be asked to give a critical presentation of a particular monument, ritual, or festive ceremony, starting from a literary source, iconographic evidence, or archaeological context. Slides (already presented during the lessons and provided to students on the Classroom platform) may be examined, and candidates will be required to provide a description, critical commentary, and dating. The final assessment will be based on the knowledge acquired and, to a large extent, on the candidate's ability to think critically. The exam will take place in the professor's office, by appointment to be made on the Infostud platform. In line with the Athenaeum's policy, there is no difference in the programs and assessment methods between attending and non-attending students.

Handbook of Greek Archaeology; H.W. Parke, Festivals of the Athenians, 1977.

The course will consist of hours of classroom lectures, supplemented by some visits to the main Roman museums, for a total of 42 hours. Course attendance is optional, but strongly recommended.