Classics

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).

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.

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.

Attendance is highly recommended.

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.

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. d) L. Robert, “Les épigraphies et l’épigraphie grecque et romain’, in L. Robert, Choix d’écrits, Paris 2007, pag. 87-114.

This course will consist in a series of frontal lessons (lecture-style approach) according to the themes described in the Syllabus. 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.

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).

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.

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.

Attendance is highly recommended.

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.

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. d) L. Robert, “Les épigraphies et l’épigraphie grecque et romain’, in L. Robert, Choix d’écrits, Paris 2007, pag. 87-114.

This course will consist in a series of frontal lessons (lecture-style approach) according to the themes described in the Syllabus. 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.