29459 - Greek Epigraphy (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to read, translate, understand Greek epigraphic texts, learning how to define typology and chronology of inscriptions, also written in archaic scripts. The course aims at teaching the ability to set inscriptions in their context (political, economic, social, ...), to evaluate their importance as historical documents and to enhance their significance as part of the historical and documentary heritage. Students will learn how to classify inscriptions and to do textual research using available and digital tools. 

Course contents

1. Tools of the epigraphist: epigraphic collections (paper and digital), directories and bibliographic guides.

2. Edition of a Greek inscription: principles and structure. The individual parts of the edition will be explored through:

a. the reading of some inscriptions in archaic scripts (photograph or drawing supplied);

b. analysis of some selected inscriptions (reading, translation, dating, palaeographic commentary, historical and typological interpretation);

c. written exercises.

3. EpiDoc for beginners.

It should be noted that knowledge of the Greek language (understanding a text with the dictionary or at least understanding the correspondence with the translations offered), if not already acquired, must be reached before the oral examination. 

Lessons: MON TUE WED 9-11 from September 25th, 2017, Aula Celio, via Zamboni 38

Readings/Bibliography

1. The knowledge of M. Guarducci, L'epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato, Roma 1987, is preparatory and compulsory. Students who never followed a Greek epigraphy course must study it before the course begins (paying particular attention to archaic scripts and text typologies).

2. Furthermore students must study:

a. S. Panciera, What is an Inscription? Problems of Definition and Identity of an Historical Source, «ZPE» 183 (2012), pp. 1-10;

b. selected inscriptions (nn. 3, 25, 26, 31, 41, 45, 51, 72) from C. Antonetti, S. De Vido (a cura di), Iscrizioni greche. Un'antologia, Carocci, Roma 2017 (Greek text, translation, commentary).

Students who will not be able to attend lessons must talk with the teacher to define specific course contents. If the student possesses previous epigraphic and/or philological knowledge and can carry out written exercises concerning critical edition of texts, those specific course contents may be similar to the programme of attending students. Otherwise the student, in addition to study texts listed above (1. and 2a.), will study M. Guarducci, Epigrafia greca, I, Istituto poligrafico dello Stato, Roma 1995, pp. 8-42, 391-505 and selected inscriptions chosen in accordance with the teacher's advise.

Teaching methods

The course consists mainly of workshops: students will take part in lessons and practise surveying, reading, copying, and editing inscriptions (there will be a working session at the Museo Civico Archeologico in Bologna). During the course, students are required to provide new editions of al least two Greek inscriptions. Those who never studied Greek language and alphabet before are strongly recommended to start immediately. The knowledge of Greek will be strengthened through the reading of the inscriptions themselves.

Assessment methods

At the end of the course and at least ten days before oral examination students must supply a written paper with the edition (lemma, transcription, translation, and commentary) of an inscription selected by the teacher (digital photographs will be supplied). The examination will

a. open the debate on this paper and

b. will test the knowledge of the course contents:

- lessons;

- individual study text and selected inscriptions;

- handbook.

Students are required to show the ability to manage epigraphic tools (critical editions and bibliography) and to select information useful for the edition of a Greek inscription, which should be complete and formally accurate, and should display argument skills.

If the student achieves a complete vision of the topics discussed in class and required for the discipline, provides an effective critical commentary, shows mastery of expression and of the specific language, both written and oral, he obtains excellence in the evaluation.

Average marks will be awarded to a student who has memorized the main points of the material and is able to summarise them satisfactorily and provide an effective critical commentary, while failing to display a complete command of the appropriate terminology.

A student will be deemed to have failed the exam if he displays significant errors in his understanding and failure to grasp the overall outlines of the subject, together with a poor command of the appropriate terminology.

Teaching tools

During the course original texts (inscriptions and literary sources) will be shown with the aid of video projector. Reference slides will be available online (cf. Teaching material).

Office hours

See the website of Alice Bencivenni