Archaeological Sciences

Activity type

Discipline storiche

SSD

L-ANT/03

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

6

Hours distribution

42 classroom hours

Lecturers

MARIA LETIZIA CALDELLI

Activity type

Discipline storiche

SSD

L-ANT/02

Year

N/D

Semester

N/D

CFU

6

Hours distribution

42 classroom hours

Lecturers

FRANCESCO CAMIA

We expect students obtain scientific, theoretical, methodological competences for graduate studies in the field of the Latin epigraphy

This course aims to provide basic knowledge in the field of Greek and Latin epigraphy. The student will acquire the tools to autonomously read and interpret both Greek and Latin inscriptions.

Greek epigraphy
A basic knowledge of ancient Greek language is essential. If the student has not previously got such a knowledge, he is required to attend one of the elementary Greek courses that are offered within the Arts and Humanities Faculty.

Latin Epigraphy
It is useful to know the outlines of Greek history and Roman history.
Though not a compulsory requirement, a basic knowledge of ancient Greek and Latin is essential (is fundamental). Therefore, if the student has not previously got such a basic knowledge, he is required to attend one of the elementary Greek and Latin courses that are offered within the Arts and Humanities Faculty.

Greek epigraphy course
This course presents the main features of Greek epigraphy and the methodology for the study and interpretation of Greek inscriptions as archaeological artifacts and primary historical sources. In the first part, the main aspects of Greek epigraphy, the methodology for the study and publication of an inscription, as
well as the history of epigraphical studies will be analysed (8 hours). The origin and evolution of the Greek alphabet will then be analysed, while the different regional Greek alphabets will be presented through a selection of epigraphical texts from various parts of the Greek world (18 hours). Finally, a series of inscriptions of different typology will be read and commented, so as to exemplify the variety of realms of the Greek world that are highlighted by Greek inscriptions (10 hours). Furthermore, the main bibliographical tools (in print and digital form) will be presented (4 hours), and a practical activity is also planned, during which students will work on plaster casts of Greek inscriptions kept in the Arts and Humanities Faculty (‘Galleria epigrafica’) by realising drawings and transcriptions (2 hours).

Latin epigraphy course
The course unit presents the main features of Latin epigraphy and the methodology for the study and interpretation of Latin inscriptions as archaeological artifacts and primary historical sources.
Syllabus of the course unit of Latin epigraphy:
Introduction to Latin epigraphy (3 hours); history of epigraphical studies (4 hours); forgeries and fakes (2 hours); Latin Epigraphy: the main types of inscriptions (inscriptions with religious content; honorific inscriptions; funerary inscriptions; building inscriptions; graffiti and tituli picti; official inscriptions; instrumentum domesticum). Structures and form (12 hours); social structure of the Roman world and cursus (8 hours); Roman governement and administration (8 hours); Roman onomastics (2 hours); paleography (1 hour); Epigraphy and Digital Resources (2 hours).
If possible, a part of the activities will be at the National Roman Museum - Epigraphic Museum.

Greek epigraphy course
1) M. Guarducci, L’epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma 1987.
2) E. Culasso Gastaldi, “Epigrafia greca”, in G. Poma (a cura di), Le fonti per la storia antica, Bologna 2008, pag. 193-216.
3) Inscriptions analysed in class.

Latin epigraphy course
1) A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina, Roma 2020
2) inscriptions read and analysed during the course unit.

The contents of the following texts will be illustrated in class:
- G.Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Il Mulino, Bologna 2002, pp. 1-118;
- F. Jacques – J. Scheid, Roma e il suo impero. Istituzioni, economia, religione, Bari 1992.

Greek epigraphy course
a) M.L. Lazzarini, “Questioni relative all’origine dell’alfabeto greco”, in G. Bagnasco Gianni, F. Cordano (eds.), Scritture mediterranee tra il IX e il VII secolo a.C., Milano 1999, pag. 53-66.
b) M.L. Lazzarini, “La scrittura nella città: iscrizioni, archivi e alfabetizzazione”, in I Greci 2.II, Torino 1997, pag. 725-750.
c) R.D. Woodard, “Phoinikeia Grammata: An Alphabet for the Greek Language”, in E.J. Bakker, A Companion to the Ancient Greek Language, Oxford 2010, pag. 25-46 [*escluse le pag. 28-39].
d) L. Robert, “Les épigraphies et l’épigraphie grecque et romain’, in L. Robert, Choix d’écrits, Paris 2007, pag. 87-114.

Latin epigraphy course

Greek epigraphy course
This course will consist in a series of frontal lessons (lecture-style approach) according to the themes 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 (‘Galleria epigrafica’) by realising drawings and transcriptions.

Latin epigraphy course
The course units of Greek and Latin epigraphy will consist in a series of frontal lessons (lecture-style approach).

Attendance is highly recommended.

Greek epigraphy course
A test is scheduled at the end of the course unit: 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 unit, as described in the section Syllabus. The oral exam will consist of 5 questions on the following aspects of the Syllabus: 1) main features of the discipline (and methodology); 2) history of the Greek alphabet; 3) analysis of one ‘epichoric’ inscription among those analysed in class; 4) analysis of one inscription among the texts of the thematic dossier analysed in class; 5) one question on the textbook (M. Guarducci, L’epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma 1987). 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.

Latin epigraphy course
It is scheduled a test at the end of the course unit. 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 modules, as described in the section Syllabus.
The oral exam of Latin Epigraphy will consist in verify the ability to read the epigraphic texts analyzed during the course; ability to translate and understand them; ability to apply basic knowledge of the discipline for the historical interpretation of the same texts.
In order to obtain an evaluation of 30/30 cum laude, the student must demonstrate that he has acquired in an excellent way the expected learning outcomes.

Greek epigraphy course
1) How and when was the Greek alphabet introduced in Greece?
2) What are the "segni complementari"?
3) What is a decree?
4) What does the abbreviation IG stay for?

Latin epigraphy course
It is recommended to attend the exam sessions

• Lesson 1. An introduction to Greek epigraphy


• Lessons 2-6. Greek epigraphy: Main features and methodological tools


• Lessons 7-9. The Greek alphabet


• Lessons 10-15. The local scripts of archaic Greece


• Lesson 16. Practical exercise


• Lessons 17-20. A selection of Greek inscriptions


• Lesson 21. Epilogue