75769 - Archaeology of the Late Antique and Byzantine Mediterranean

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, through the examination of specific topics related to Late Antique and Byzantine archaeology in relation to the society and culture of the period, the student acquires in-depth knowledge of the methodology and content necessary to properly structure a critical research. They are able to utilize different sources - archaeological, literary, and epigraphic - as well as appropriate scholarly bibliography..

Course contents

The course will be divided into two modules. In the first module (30 hours), taught by Professor Giulia Marsili, propaedeutic themes related to the general knowledge of the Late Antique and Byzantine world will be addressed, developed through the analysis of archaeological contexts and artifacts.


In the second module (30 hours), taught by Professor Isabella Baldini, the focus will be on the process of Christianization of cities between the 4th and 8th centuries through the examination of case studies provided by statuary. Both monumental contexts with statues preserved in their original state and instances of vandalism and destruction of statues within the broader iconoclastic process will be analyzed. Finally, the topic of iconoclasm will be discussed.

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: Lessons contents and Iconoclasm, in Oxford Dictionnary of Byzantium, New York-Oxford 1991, pp. 975-977; I. Baldini, Statuaria pagana e cristianesimo a Gortina tra IV e VIII secolo in Ideologia e cultura artistica tra Adriatico e Mediterraneo orientale (IV-IX secolo), Bologna 2009, 71-86; T. M. Kristensen, Miraculous Bodies: Christian Viewers and the Transformation of ‘Pagan’ Sculpture in Late Antiquity, in Patrons and Viewers in Late Antiquity, Aarhus 2012, pp. 31-66; I. Baldini, La città tardoantica del Mediterraneo orientale: pratiche e modelli di organizzazione degli spazi religiosi, in M.C. Parello, S. Rizzo (eds.), Paesaggi urbani tardoantichi. Casi a confronto, Bari 2016, 23-30; I. Baldini, Arredi scultorei nelle case tardoantiche di Atene, in I. Baldini, C. Sfameni (eds.), Abitare nel Mediterraneo tardoantico, Atti del II Convegno Internazionale del CISEM, Bari 2019, 523-534; I. Baldini, in I. Baldini, S. Cosentino, Architettura protobizantina a Kos, 3, Bologna 2021, VI.1. Il filo interrotto della memoria: pratiche del reimpiego a Kos e a S. Stefano, ibidem, p. 273; I. Baldini, The Athena Varvakeion in context: an example of Athenian aristocratic practices in Late Antiquity, in H. Saradi (ed.), Byzantine Athens, Athens 2021, 60-73

Non attending students: s.v. Iconoclasm, in Oxford Dictionnary of Byzantium, New York-Oxford 1991, pp. 975-977; I. Baldini, Statuaria pagana e cristianesimo a Gortina tra IV e VIII secolo in Ideologia e cultura artistica tra Adriatico e Mediterraneo orientale (IV-IX secolo), Bologna 2009, 71-86; I. Baldini, La virtù dei governatori: monumenti onorari tardoantichi a Gortina e Afrodisia, in S. De Maria, V. Fortunati (eds.), Monumento e memoria dall’antichità al contemporaneo, Bologna 2010, 219-232; T. M. Kristensen, Miraculous Bodies: Christian Viewers and the Transformation of ‘Pagan’ Sculpture in Late Antiquity, in Patrons and Viewers in Late Antiquity, Aarhus 2012, pp. 31-66; S. Margutti, Costantino e i templi, in Enciclopedia costantiniana, I, Roma 2013, pp. 313-315; I. Baldini, La città tardoantica del Mediterraneo orientale: pratiche e modelli di organizzazione degli spazi religiosi, in M.C. Parello, S. Rizzo (eds.), Paesaggi urbani tardoantichi. Casi a confronto, Bari 2016, 23-30; I. Baldini, Arredi scultorei nelle case tardoantiche di Atene, in I. Baldini, C. Sfameni (eds.), Abitare nel Mediterraneo tardoantico, Bari 2019, 523-534; I. Baldini, in I. Baldini, S. Cosentino, Architettura protobizantina a Kos, 3, Il complesso di S. Stefano e l’insediamento della baia di Kephalos, Bologna 2021, Il filo interrotto della memoria: pratiche del reimpiego a Kos e a S. Stefano, ibidem, p. 273; I. Baldini, The Athena Varvakeion in context: an example of Athenian aristocratic practices in Late Antiquity, in H. Saradi (ed.), Byzantine Athens, Athens 2021, 60-73.

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