Archaeology

The art of the classical world, especially from the sixth to fourth centuries BC, must be considered under the aspect of high craftsmanship, and the artistic intensity of the design on an Attic vase can equal a metope from the Parthenon, noted Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli . Yet in antiquity first-rate works were naturally recognized as such. In the fourth century BC, Isocrates, at the beginning of the oration On Exchange, complains how some sophists slandered him by belittling his activity, reduced to the preparation of speeches for the courts, when he was instead capable of writing philosophical-political pamphlets; it would have been like apostrophizing Phidias as a dollmaker or saying that Zeuxis and Parrhasius practiced the same techne as the painters of votive tablets (pinakia). The module intends to address from several points of view some aspects relating to the illustrious Greek sculptors starting from the 5th century BC. such as Phidias. How is it possible to reconstruct their profiles? And does studying their activity end today only in the search for their masterpieces? No, because it is necessary to consider, for example, the economic aspects of the works and the different commissions depending on the contexts and periods. Anyone who is only a little human cannot, for example, ignore Praxiteles because of his mastery, as the great scholar of the first century BC, M. Terentius Varro says in Human Antiquities: because it is part of good culture and education, in short in humanitas, knowing also the chief greek artists.

The art of the classical world, especially from the sixth to fourth centuries BC, must be considered under the aspect of high craftsmanship, and the artistic intensity of the design on an Attic vase can equal a metope from the Parthenon, noted Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli . Yet in antiquity first-rate works were naturally recognized as such. In the fourth century BC, Isocrates, at the beginning of the oration On Exchange, complains how some sophists slandered him by belittling his activity, reduced to the preparation of speeches for the courts, when he was instead capable of writing philosophical-political pamphlets; it would have been like apostrophizing Phidias as a dollmaker or saying that Zeuxis and Parrhasius practiced the same techne as the painters of votive tablets (pinakia). The module intends to address from several points of view some aspects relating to the illustrious Greek sculptors starting from the 5th century BC. such as Phidias. How is it possible to reconstruct their profiles? And does studying their activity end today only in the search for their masterpieces? No, because it is necessary to consider, for example, the economic aspects of the works and the different commissions depending on the contexts and periods. Anyone who is only a little human cannot, for example, ignore Praxiteles because of his mastery, as the great scholar of the first century BC, M. Terentius Varro says in Human Antiquities: because it is part of good culture and education, in short in humanitas, knowing also the chief greek artists.

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.

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.