Linguistics

The Middle Persian Inscriptions of the Magus Kerdīr The course aims to highlight the importance of Middle Iranian primary sources—particularly those in Middle Persian and Parthian—as fundamental testimonies for the reconstruction of Sasanian history and society (3rd–7th century CE). Through the analysis of various types of documentation—monumental inscriptions, numismatics, and glyptic art—it will be possible to explore multiple aspects of the great Iranian empire, addressing political-institutional, social, religious, and cultural themes. The structure of the programme is designed to offer as holistic a perspective as possible, allowing students to become familiar with a significant corpus of sources produced within one of the most powerful imperial formations of the ancient world. The 2025–2026 academic year will focus on the Middle Persian inscriptions of the magus Kerdīr, analysing both their textual content and the so-called metadata (physical and spatial contexts, visual apparatus, intertextuality with religious tradition, etc.). The commemorative inscriptions of the magus Kerdīr represent an extraordinarily valuable source for understanding the institutional and doctrinal development of Zoroastrianism during the 3rd century CE.

None

Reference texts consist of the editions of the epigraphic materials analyzed in class and the teaching materials provided by the instructor. These are further supplemented by the following texts: - Huyse, Ph. (2009). Inscriptional Literature in Old and Middle Iranian, in Emmerick R.E. & Macuch M. (eds), The Literature of Pre-Islamic Iran. A History of Persian Literature XVII, London & New York, pp. 72-115. - Canepa M.P. (2015), Inscriptions Royal Spaces and Iranaian Identity, Epigraphic Practices in Persia and the Ancient Iranian World, in Eastmond, E. (ed.), Viewing Inscriptions in the Late Antique and Medieval World, Cambridge, pp. 10-35.

class attendance

The exams take place at Studio 3, third floor, Faculty of Humanities. The evaluation takes into consideration the following criteria: - learning and understanding of the key concepts - analytical skills in interpreting the epigraphic and iconographic contents of the material analysed during classes - skills in presenting the subject and arguments exposition

Reference texts consist of the editions of the epigraphic materials analyzed in class and the teaching materials provided by the instructor. These are further supplemented by the following texts: - Huyse, Ph. (2009). Inscriptional Literature in Old and Middle Iranian, in Emmerick R.E. & Macuch M. (eds), The Literature of Pre-Islamic Iran. A History of Persian Literature XVII, London & New York, pp. 72-115. - Canepa M.P. (2015), Inscriptions Royal Spaces and Iranaian Identity, Epigraphic Practices in Persia and the Ancient Iranian World, in Eastmond, E. (ed.), Viewing Inscriptions in the Late Antique and Medieval World, Cambridge, pp. 10-35.

The course will start in the second semester: Tuesday 6–8 PM and Thursday 12–2 PM (rooms to be confirmed). Office time Thursday h. 10-11, email contact: gianfilippo.terribili@uniroma1.it The class includes introductory lectures, ongoing tests, moments of discussion with and between students The teaching uses all the tools offered by the Sapienza Moodle platform (https://elearning.uniroma1.it/). In the space dedicated to the course, the student will have access to the material presented in class and will be encouraged to discuss and interact with the teacher and students.

The Middle Persian Inscriptions of the Magus Kerdīr The course aims to highlight the importance of Middle Iranian primary sources—particularly those in Middle Persian and Parthian—as fundamental testimonies for the reconstruction of Sasanian history and society (3rd–7th century CE). Through the analysis of various types of documentation—monumental inscriptions, numismatics, and glyptic art—it will be possible to explore multiple aspects of the great Iranian empire, addressing political-institutional, social, religious, and cultural themes. The structure of the programme is designed to offer as holistic a perspective as possible, allowing students to become familiar with a significant corpus of sources produced within one of the most powerful imperial formations of the ancient world. The 2025–2026 academic year will focus on the Middle Persian inscriptions of the magus Kerdīr, analysing both their textual content and the so-called metadata (physical and spatial contexts, visual apparatus, intertextuality with religious tradition, etc.). The commemorative inscriptions of the magus Kerdīr represent an extraordinarily valuable source for understanding the institutional and doctrinal development of Zoroastrianism during the 3rd century CE.

None

Reference texts consist of the editions of the epigraphic materials analyzed in class and the teaching materials provided by the instructor. These are further supplemented by the following texts: - Huyse, Ph. (2009). Inscriptional Literature in Old and Middle Iranian, in Emmerick R.E. & Macuch M. (eds), The Literature of Pre-Islamic Iran. A History of Persian Literature XVII, London & New York, pp. 72-115. - Canepa M.P. (2015), Inscriptions Royal Spaces and Iranaian Identity, Epigraphic Practices in Persia and the Ancient Iranian World, in Eastmond, E. (ed.), Viewing Inscriptions in the Late Antique and Medieval World, Cambridge, pp. 10-35.

class attendance

The exams take place at Studio 3, third floor, Faculty of Humanities. The evaluation takes into consideration the following criteria: - learning and understanding of the key concepts - analytical skills in interpreting the epigraphic and iconographic contents of the material analysed during classes - skills in presenting the subject and arguments exposition

Reference texts consist of the editions of the epigraphic materials analyzed in class and the teaching materials provided by the instructor. These are further supplemented by the following texts: - Huyse, Ph. (2009). Inscriptional Literature in Old and Middle Iranian, in Emmerick R.E. & Macuch M. (eds), The Literature of Pre-Islamic Iran. A History of Persian Literature XVII, London & New York, pp. 72-115. - Canepa M.P. (2015), Inscriptions Royal Spaces and Iranaian Identity, Epigraphic Practices in Persia and the Ancient Iranian World, in Eastmond, E. (ed.), Viewing Inscriptions in the Late Antique and Medieval World, Cambridge, pp. 10-35.

The course will start in the second semester: Tuesday 6–8 PM and Thursday 12–2 PM (rooms to be confirmed). Office time Thursday h. 10-11, email contact: gianfilippo.terribili@uniroma1.it The class includes introductory lectures, ongoing tests, moments of discussion with and between students The teaching uses all the tools offered by the Sapienza Moodle platform (https://elearning.uniroma1.it/). In the space dedicated to the course, the student will have access to the material presented in class and will be encouraged to discuss and interact with the teacher and students.