RELIGIONS OF THE CLASSICAL WORLD I

Course objectives

The course aims to deepen the religious dimension of the cultures of the classical world according to a comparative-historical perspective and in interdisciplinary dialogue with the other teachings of the Department, with particular reference to ancient Rome, from its origins to the Theodosian Codex. Through the study of the rites, priesthoods, calendar, and literary and archaeological evidence relating to the city of Rome, the territory it controlled or influenced over the centuries, as well as the cultures in dialogue with/against it, the aim is to provide students with a basic mastery of the tools, methods, and skills for research in the field of the History of Religions, a knowledge of the main research directions in the field, with in-depth study of the relevant theoretical-methodological skills, and the ability to communicate and autonomously apply the knowledge, skills and methods acquired, also in relation to other cultural fields and contexts.

Channel 1
GIORGIO FERRI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The course aims to deepen the religious dimension of the cultures of the classical world according to a comparative-historical perspective and in interdisciplinary dialogue with the other teachings of the Department, with particular reference to ancient Rome, from its origins to the Theodosian Codex. Through the study of the rites, priesthoods, calendar, and literary and archaeological evidence relating to the city of Rome, the territory it controlled or influenced over the centuries, as well as the cultures in dialogue with/against it, the aim is to provide students with a basic mastery of the tools, methods, and skills for research in the field of the History of Religions, a knowledge of the main research directions in the field, with in-depth study of the relevant theoretical-methodological skills, and the ability to communicate and autonomously apply the knowledge, skills and methods acquired, also in relation to other cultural fields and contexts.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites necessary to attend the course
Books
1) Gianluca De Sanctis, "La religione a Roma", Carocci Editore 2012 2) Philippe Borgeaud, Francesca Prescendi (eds.), "Religioni antiche", Carocci Editore 2011 3) Enrico Montanari, "Fumosae Imagines", Bulzoni Editore 2009 4) Gabriella Pironti-Micol Perfigli, "Politeismo", in M. Bettini-W. Short (eds.), "Con i Romani. Un'antropologia della cultura antica", Il Mulino 2014, pp. 45-86
Frequency
Attendance is optional but any workshop activities can only be carried out by those attending. Active and participatory attendance is also considered in the examination (20%).
Exam mode
Oral interview with questions relating to the topics addressed during the course and the reference texts. The examination will focus in particular on the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and methodological issues addressed, the ability to apply the skills acquired to specific fields of interest and to relate what has been learnt to other SSDs.
Lesson mode
The mode of delivery of this course is fundamentally frontal, with the occasional possibility of adopting the (flipped classroom) mode, i.e. with readings to be discussed in class. At the end of the course, participants are expected to do group work on dress symbology topics assigned by the lecturer, which will make up 20% of the final grade.
  • Lesson code1023867
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CourseArchaeology
  • CurriculumArchitettura città paesaggio
  • Year2nd year
  • Duration12 months
  • SSDM-STO/06
  • CFU6