Archaeology

The course offers both an introduction and a general overview of the main aspects of Greek epigraphy, as well as two thematic in-depth studies: the first on the “public” epigraphy of Greece, especially in the Archaic and Classical periods, and the second on the epigraphy of Roman Greece. The course is therefore structured into three sections. Part 1. Greek Epigraphy: A Profile of the Discipline. This section provides a general introduction to Greek epigraphy as a discipline and presents the main methodological tools for the study of Greek inscriptions. (6 hours) Part 2. Public Epigraphy, Writing Practices, and the Functioning of the Polis. Although the earliest Greek epigraphic evidence belongs to the private sphere (mostly vase graffiti), over time epigraphy acquired a public character in the Greek world. It came to be used to record in writing—and make potentially accessible to all who wished (and were able) to read them—documents such as laws, decrees, treaties, and other texts connected to the functioning of the polis. In some cases, such as in fifth- and fourth-century BCE Athens, this production reached remarkable dimensions. This part of the course will illustrate the relationship between epigraphic practice and the functioning of the polis through selected examples, particularly from Archaic and Classical Greece. (16 hours) Part 3. The Epigraphy of Roman Greece. Epigraphic production in the Greek language remained flourishing in Greece even after the Roman conquest. In some particularly significant contexts (for example, in the sanctuary of Eleusis), it is precisely in this period that epigraphy underwent a substantial quantitative increase. In this part of the course, a selection of Imperial-period epigraphic texts from Athens and other Greek cities will be read in the original language, analyzed, and commented upon. (16 hours) In addition, alongside the lectures, students will take part in practical sessions (4 hours), during which they will produce drawings (“apographs”) and transcriptions of Greek inscriptions from plaster casts preserved in the Epigraphic Gallery of the Museum of Classical Art.

A basic knowledge of ancient Greek is essential. Therefore, if the student has not previously got such a basic knowledge, he is required to attend one of the elementary Greek courses that are offered within the Arts and Humanities Faculty. It is useful to know the outlines of Greek history.

1) M. Guarducci, L’epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma 1987. 2) L. Robert, “Les épigraphies et l’épigraphie grecque et romaine”, in L. Robert, Choix d’écrits, Paris 2007, pag. 87-114. 3) M.L. Lazzarini, “La scrittura nella città: iscrizioni, archivi e alfabetizzazione”, in I Greci 2.II, Torino 1997, pag. 725-750. 4) Epigraphic texts read and analysed in class.

This course will consist in a series of frontal lessons (lecture-style approach) according to the theme described in the ‘Syllabus’ section. A practical activity is also planned, during which students will work on plaster casts of Greek inscriptions kept in the Arts and Humanities Faculty by realising drawings and transcriptions.

Attendance is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended.

A test is scheduled at the end of the course. It is an oral exam with open-ended questions. The student must demonstrate that he has achieved the expected learning outcomes in relation to the various parts of the course, as described in the section Syllabus. The oral exam will verify the student's ability to read, understand and critically analyze epigraphic texts related to the topic analyzed during the course. In order to obtain an evaluation of 30/30, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired in an excellent way the expected learning outcomes.

a) A.D. Rizakis, “Writing, public space and publicity in Greek and Roman cities”, in W. Eck, P. Funke (eds.), OFFENTLICHKEIT – MONUMENT – TEXT, XIV Congressus Internationalis Epigraphiae Graecae et Latinae (27. – 31. Augusti MMXII). Akten, Berlin 2014, pag. 77-89. b) F. Ruzé, “Aux débuts de l’écriture politique”, in M. Détienne (ed.), Les savoirs de l’écriture en Grèce ancienne, Lille 1988, pag. 82–94. c) P J. Rhodes, “Public documents in the Greek States: Archives and inscriptions”, Greece & Rome 48.1 (2001), pag. 33–44, e 48.2 (2001), pag. 136–153.

This course will consist in a series of frontal lessons (lecture-style approach) according to the theme described in the ‘Syllabus’ section. A practical activity is also planned, during which students will work on plaster casts of Greek inscriptions kept in the Arts and Humanities Faculty by realising drawings and transcriptions.

The course offers both an introduction and a general overview of the main aspects of Greek epigraphy, as well as two thematic in-depth studies: the first on the “public” epigraphy of Greece, especially in the Archaic and Classical periods, and the second on the epigraphy of Roman Greece. The course is therefore structured into three sections. Part 1. Greek Epigraphy: A Profile of the Discipline. This section provides a general introduction to Greek epigraphy as a discipline and presents the main methodological tools for the study of Greek inscriptions. (6 hours) Part 2. Public Epigraphy, Writing Practices, and the Functioning of the Polis. Although the earliest Greek epigraphic evidence belongs to the private sphere (mostly vase graffiti), over time epigraphy acquired a public character in the Greek world. It came to be used to record in writing—and make potentially accessible to all who wished (and were able) to read them—documents such as laws, decrees, treaties, and other texts connected to the functioning of the polis. In some cases, such as in fifth- and fourth-century BCE Athens, this production reached remarkable dimensions. This part of the course will illustrate the relationship between epigraphic practice and the functioning of the polis through selected examples, particularly from Archaic and Classical Greece. (16 hours) Part 3. The Epigraphy of Roman Greece. Epigraphic production in the Greek language remained flourishing in Greece even after the Roman conquest. In some particularly significant contexts (for example, in the sanctuary of Eleusis), it is precisely in this period that epigraphy underwent a substantial quantitative increase. In this part of the course, a selection of Imperial-period epigraphic texts from Athens and other Greek cities will be read in the original language, analyzed, and commented upon. (16 hours) In addition, alongside the lectures, students will take part in practical sessions (4 hours), during which they will produce drawings (“apographs”) and transcriptions of Greek inscriptions from plaster casts preserved in the Epigraphic Gallery of the Museum of Classical Art.

A basic knowledge of ancient Greek is essential. Therefore, if the student has not previously got such a basic knowledge, he is required to attend one of the elementary Greek courses that are offered within the Arts and Humanities Faculty. It is useful to know the outlines of Greek history.

1) M. Guarducci, L’epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma 1987. 2) L. Robert, “Les épigraphies et l’épigraphie grecque et romaine”, in L. Robert, Choix d’écrits, Paris 2007, pag. 87-114. 3) M.L. Lazzarini, “La scrittura nella città: iscrizioni, archivi e alfabetizzazione”, in I Greci 2.II, Torino 1997, pag. 725-750. 4) Epigraphic texts read and analysed in class.

This course will consist in a series of frontal lessons (lecture-style approach) according to the theme described in the ‘Syllabus’ section. A practical activity is also planned, during which students will work on plaster casts of Greek inscriptions kept in the Arts and Humanities Faculty by realising drawings and transcriptions.

Attendance is not mandatory, but is strongly recommended.

A test is scheduled at the end of the course. It is an oral exam with open-ended questions. The student must demonstrate that he has achieved the expected learning outcomes in relation to the various parts of the course, as described in the section Syllabus. The oral exam will verify the student's ability to read, understand and critically analyze epigraphic texts related to the topic analyzed during the course. In order to obtain an evaluation of 30/30, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired in an excellent way the expected learning outcomes.

a) A.D. Rizakis, “Writing, public space and publicity in Greek and Roman cities”, in W. Eck, P. Funke (eds.), OFFENTLICHKEIT – MONUMENT – TEXT, XIV Congressus Internationalis Epigraphiae Graecae et Latinae (27. – 31. Augusti MMXII). Akten, Berlin 2014, pag. 77-89. b) F. Ruzé, “Aux débuts de l’écriture politique”, in M. Détienne (ed.), Les savoirs de l’écriture en Grèce ancienne, Lille 1988, pag. 82–94. c) P J. Rhodes, “Public documents in the Greek States: Archives and inscriptions”, Greece & Rome 48.1 (2001), pag. 33–44, e 48.2 (2001), pag. 136–153.

This course will consist in a series of frontal lessons (lecture-style approach) according to the theme described in the ‘Syllabus’ section. A practical activity is also planned, during which students will work on plaster casts of Greek inscriptions kept in the Arts and Humanities Faculty by realising drawings and transcriptions.