75769 - Archaeology of the Late Antique and Byzantine Mediterranean

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, through the examination of specific themes concerning Late Antique and Byzantine archaeology in relation to the society and culture of the period, the students learn the methodology and contents to know how to correctly set up a critical research. He/she knows how to use different sources - archaeological, literary and epigraphic - and an adequate scholarly bibliography.

Course contents

The course will be divided into two modules. In the first (30 hours), taught by Prof. Giulia Marsili, preparatory topics to general knowledge of the Late Antique and Byzantine world will be developed through worksheets of archaeological contexts and artifacts.


In the second module (30 hours), taught by prof. I. Baldini the theme of the bishop's role in late antique cities will be examined through the the archaeological documentation that has emerges from significant sites in the eastern Mediterranean, including Constantinople, Aphrodisia, Ephesus, Gortina, Kos, Miletus, Nicopolis, Resafa, Thessalonica.

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1:

Attending students: The module involves the use of teaching material that will be provided to the attending students (25 files). For a historical-archaeological overview: M. David, Archeologia della Tarda antichità, Milano 2021, 61-68, 70-72, 95-103, 147-150, 167-172, 199-203, 222-228, 250-253.

Non attending students: E. Concina, Le arti di Bisanzio, Milano 2002, pp. 1-78; G. Ravegnani, Imperatori di Bisanzio, Bologna 2008, pp. 103-150; M. David, Archeologia della Tarda antichità, Milano 2021, pp. 61-68, 70-72, 95-103, 109-114, 147-150, 153-156, 167-172, 180, 199-203, 204-211, 222-228, 228-230, 250-253; G. Marsili, L’Apostoleion di Costantinopoli: stato della questione ed analisi delle fonti per alcune riflessioni di carattere topografico e architettonico, in Rivista di Studi Bizantini e Neoellenici 49, 2013, pp. 3-51.

 

Module 2:

Attending students: Lectures notes and I. Baldini Lippolis, L'architettura residenziale nelle città tardoantiche, Roma 2005, pp. 102-136; I. Baldini et al., Impressioni bizantine, Salonicco attraverso le immagini fotografiche e i disegni della British School at Athens, Bologna 2014, pp. 15-49; I. Baldini, Palatia, praetoria ed episcopia: alcune osservazioni, in P. Pensabene, C. Sfameni, La villa restaurata, Bari 2014, pp. 163-170; I. Baldini, M. Livadiotti, Archeologia protobizantina a Kos, La città e il complesso episcopale, Bologna 2015, pp. 154-172; I. Baldini et al. The Silk and the Blood. Images of Authority in Byzantine Art and Archaeology, Bologna 2019, pp. 81-98; D. Moreau et alii, Archeology of a World of Canges, BAR international series 2973, 2020, pp. 153-218.

Non attending students: I. Baldini Lippolis, L'architettura residenziale nelle città tardoantiche, Roma 2005, pp. 102-136; A. Di Vita, Gortina di Creta. Quindici secoli di vita urbana, Roma 2010, pp. 309-326; Baldini et al., Impressioni bizantine, Salonicco attraverso le immagini fotografiche e i disegni della British School at Athens, Bologna 2014, pp. 15-49; I. Baldini, Early Byzantine churches in Crete and Cyprus between local identity and homologation, in Cahiers du Centre d’Études Chypriotes 43, 2014, 31-49; I. Baldini, Palatia, praetoria ed episcopia: alcune osservazioni, in P. Pensabene, C. Sfameni, La villa restaurata, Bari 2014, pp. 163-170; I. Baldini et al. The Silk and the Blood. Images of Authority in Byzantine Art and Archaeology, Bologna 2019, pp. 81-98; I. Baldini, M. Livadiotti, Archeologia protobizantina a kos, La città e il complesso episcopale, Bologna 2015, pp. 154-172; D. Moreau et alii, Archeology of a World of Canges, BAR international series 2973, 2020, pp. 153-218.

Teaching methods

Lectures with direct involvement of the students (discussion) on the contents.

Assessment methods

The exam includes an oral interview, during which the student will discuss the issues dealt with. The candidate shall demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the main issues. The interview will be at the same time an opportunity to assess the candidates' ability to orient themselves within the content of the discipline. Any doubts about the characteristics of the test can be resolved, before the exam, by being present during other students' exams.

Top marks will be awarded to students displaying an overall understanding of the topics discussed during the course, combined with a critical approach to the material and a confident and effective use of the appropriate terminology.
Average marks will be awarded to students who have memorized the main points of the material and is able to summarize them satisfactorily and provide an effective critical commentary while failing to display a complete command of the appropriate terminology.
Students will be deemed to have failed the exam if they display significant errors in his understanding and failure to grasp the overall outlines of the subject, together with a poor command of the appropriate terminology.

It may be useful to attend - as spectators - the exam sessions, which are public

Teaching tools

ppt downloadable

Office hours

See the website of Isabella Baldini

See the website of Giulia Marsili

See the website of Giulia Marsili