77887 - Archaeology of Late Antique Mediterranean Basin

Learning outcomes

Lessons of this course provide the fundamental instruments for studying, within the field of archaeological science, the material culture and figurative tradition during the 3rd to the 6th centuries AD in the Mediterranean, with particular emphasis on intercultural influences and exchange.

Course contents

The course first of all deals with the problems related to the theory and practice of archaeological methods. The course is developed in three modules. The introductory module deals with the main stages of the history of the matter; the links and relationships between Archaeology of Late Antiquity, Christian Archeology and Medieval Archaeology are also highlighted. The decisive themes for the understanding of Late Antiquity are examined: chronological limits, internal chronological partitions, geographical space, relations between the Roman Empire and the Persian Empire, chronological extension of the Roman Empire. The value of keywords such as decline, transformation, innovation and continuity is explained. In the second institutional module about fifty monuments, artefacts and sites essential for the knowledge of Late Antiquity are presented. In the third monographic module, the themes relating to the archaeology of Mithraism and the mysteric religions in Late Antiquity are studied in depth. All the elements necessary for orientation in the material and virtual places of the research are provided at the same time.

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliography:

R. REMONDON, La crisi dell'Impero romano. Da Marco Aurelio ad Anastasio (Nuova Clio, 3), Milano, Mursia, 1975

G. A. MANSUELLI, La fine del mondo antico (Storia universale dell'arte), Torino, UTET, 1988

AA. VV., The archaeology of Mithraism. New finds and approaches to Mithras-worship, a cura di M.M. McCarthy e M. Egri, Lovanio – Parigi – Bristol (Babesch, 39), Peeters, 2020

Other publications (books and articles) will be discussed in every lesson of the course.

Teaching methods

Frontal and online lessons, conferences and visits.

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

Office hours

See the website of Max Victor David