History, Anthropology, Religions

ANGELO COLONNA

Students completing the course successfully will be able to:
- understande the core principles and structure of the Egyptian language in its classical stage (Middle Egyptian) and proceed autonomously to the reading and interpretation of a hierpglyphic text (transliteration; grammatical analysis; translation);
- independently and proficiently use the appropriate tools (sign list; dictionary; grammar textbooks) in the study of a text;
- critically approach the main Egyptian textual sources (religious, literary, historical) setting them in their proper context of the Pharaonic writing culture.

None

The course will provide an introduction to the hieroglyphic writing and to the Egyptian language in its classical stage (Middle Egyptian). It will proceed to (1) illustrate the morphological features and structure of the hieroglyphic system; (2) explain Middle Egyptian syntax and grammar thorugh exercise and reading practice of simple texts and passages; (3) introduce the use of citionaries and other basic tools (grammar textbooks; signlist). Overall, the programm will focus on:
- Historical-linguistic presentation of the Egyptian hieroglyphic system and language.
- Middle Egyptian grammar and syntax.
- Use of the main resources for the analysis of a hieroglyphic text.
- Historical-cultural contextualisation of the main Egyptian textual sources.
- Reading activity of selected passages and texts.

Grammar textbooks

1. Allen, J.P. 2010. Middle Egyptian: An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs, 2nd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

2. Gardiner, A.H. 1957. Egyptian Grammar, 3rd rev. ed. Oxford: Griffith Institute

3. Faulkner, R. O. 1962. A Concise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian. Oxford: Griffith Institute (reprint now available).

Students will adopt one of the two textbook (1 or 2) and the dictionary (3) as basic tools for grammatical focus and practice. The textbooks will be integrated by notes and exercise material provided during classes, while focussed secondary reading will be suggested during the progression of the course.

4. For a historical-literary overview, the following volume is recommended: P. Buzi, La letteratura egiziana antica. Opere, generi, contesti, Roma 2020.

The course will be held in presence and will be articualted in (1) frontal teaching on the core grammatical principles of Middle Egyptian; (2) reading sessions and exercises to consolidate grammatical notions; (3) historical-literary and epigraphic discussion of the sources. Under the teacher's guidance, students will be required to engage with the material and actively contribute to the debate and the exercises in class.

Considering the content of the course, its structure and the required participation, Attendance is highly recommended. Non attending students are required to contact the teacher (angelo.colonna@uniroma1.it).

Assessment will be based on:
1. students' individual work and active participation in the study, discussion and practical activities (reading exercise) during classes;
2. final oral exam focussed on (a) the transliteration, translation, grammatical analysis and general comment of known exercises and selected texts assigned and discussed during the semester; (b) questions on the Egyptian written culture and sources according to the topic discussed in class or illustrated in the secondary bibliography that will be assigned during the course.

The final mark will particularly take into account: completeness and consistency of the answers; clarity of expression; terminological appropriateness.

In itinere
- Exercises on reading, translation and grammatical analysis

Final exam
- Reading, transliteration, translation of selected passages and texts assigned during the course.
- Grammatical analysis (syntax and grammatical structure of the sentences), general interperation and understanding of the text (historical and literary meaning).

• Introduction to the course (2 hours)


• Historical-linguistic framework of ancient Egyptian (2 hours)


• Egyptian writing: types, historical development, decipherment (4 hours)


• Historical-literary and epigraphic contextualisation of ancient Egyptian sources (4 hours)


• Elements of Egyptian grammar: morphology and syntax; reading exercises (30 hours)