27168 - Epigraphy and Greek Institutions

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be able to read and interpret Greek inscriptions, define and describe the different types and establish an approximate chronology. They will be familiar with the use of inscriptions as historical sources, especially in studying Greek institutions, public or private. They will have a basic knowledge of these last by directly reading the main authors or the documents relating to them. They will be able to explain institutional and social phenomena by comparison and linkages extending to different periods and geographical settings. Students will learn to use the most important databases of Greek inscriptions and begin to know how to find bibliography and information about inscriptions and Greek institutions. They will learn to use the appropriate terminology, and will acquire a critical approach to problem-solving via analysis of inscription data and applying the relevant models to interpret social and institutional processes.

Course contents

For Greek Epigraphy (6 CFU; this also corresponds to the 6 CFU course Greek Epigraphy and Institutions):

1. How to read, record, date and interpret an inscription: methods, techniques and heuristics.
2. Types of monuments and texts of Greek inscriptions from their origins to the Late Antiquity period, with examples.
3. Greek inscriptions as historical sources for the Greek and Roman civilisations: reading and commenting on texts.

Please note that for the final assessment, all Greek texts read, translated and commented on during the course must be read in the original language, so ancient Greek must be studied and learnt at least at a basic level.

For Greek institutions (6 CFU):

1. Sources and tools for the study of Greek institutions, both public and private.
2. A commentary on a selection of passages from ancient authors and inscriptions concerning the institutions of ancient Greece.

Period of the lessons: Greek Epigraphy in the first term; Greek Institutions in the second term. The Greek epigraphy course also corresponds with the Epigraphy and Greek Institutions course (6 CFU) for the first-cycle degree programme in Humanities (Prof. Lucia Criscuolo).

Readings/Bibliography

Students attending.

For Greek epigraphy (this also corresponds to the 6 CFU course Greek Epigraphy and Institutions):

M. Guarducci, L'Epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato, Roma 1987.

The text of the inscriptions read, translated and commented during classes will be available on https://virtuale.unibo.it/ at the end of the course.

For Greek institutions:

1. G. Camassa, Forme della vita politica dei Greci in età arcaica e classica, Milano, Monduzzi Editoriale, Milano 2007.

2. D. Jouanna, Nascere e crescere nell'Atene di Pericle, Carocci editore, Roma 2019, chapters 1, 3, 5, 7-14..

3. Ancient sources read and commented during the lessons (for which see https://virtuale.unibo.it/).

 

Students who will not be able to attend.

For Greek epigraphy (this also corresponds to the 6 CFU course Greek Epigraphy and Institutions):

- M. Guarducci, L'Epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Roma, Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato, Roma 1987;

- the reading, translation and commentary of the following inscriptions from the volume by M. Nocita, Epigrafia greca, Monduzzi Editoriale, Milano 2025:
no. 44: provision for the use of public water, from Gortina
n. 68: Treaty between Chaleion and Oianthea
n. 74: decree in honour of Thrasibulos from Athens
n. 79: loan contracted by the city of Locri
n. 92: celebratory dedication from Hierapolis
The teacher is available during the student reception hours for any clarification of the above texts.

For Greek institutions:

1. G. Camassa, Forme della vita politica dei Greci in età arcaica e classica, Milano, Monduzzi Editoriale, Milano 2007.

2. D. Jouanna, Nascere e crescere nell'Atene di Pericle, Carocci editore, Roma 2019.

3. Ancient sources collected in M. Bettalli, S. De Vido, Storia greca: fonti e interpretazioni, Carocci editore, Roma 2022, chapters 11-12, 14-16.

 

 

Teaching methods

The course consists mainly of workshops, in which students will participate in lessons and practise studying ancient sources related to the course topic and solving related problems.

Those who have not previously studied the ancient Greek language and alphabet are strongly recommended to start immediately. Please note that basic-level courses in Ancient Greek are regularly organised at the University of Bologna (https://corsi.unibo.it/laurea/lettere/greco-zero-alfabetizzazione-al-greco-antico). Students will strengthen their knowledge of ancient Greek by reading selected inscriptions during the course.

Assessment methods

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons will be considered as having attended. If you have not attended the lectures for a module in full or in large part, you should refer to the relevant information in the 'Texts/Bibliography' section and notify the lecturer(s) before the examination.

The oral examination will test their knowledge of the course content and the individual study texts.

Greek epigraphy (this also corresponds to the 6 CFU course Greek Epigraphy and Institutions). The examination will include:

• questions about the handbook (epigraphic typologies, main characters and formulas);
• questions about the Greek literary or epigraphic texts studied during the course (or independently for not attending students): students will be asked to read, translate and comment on these sources.

Greek institutions. The examination will include:

• questions about the individual study texts;
• questions about the Greek literary or epigraphic texts studied during the course (or independently for not attending students): students will be asked to comment on these sources.

The assessment will test:
- basic knowledge of the discipline;
- critical approaches to ancient sources and modern historiographical interpretations;
- the ability to communicate orally, particularly in terms of synthesis and the logical organisation of topics, as well as mastery of an appropriate vocabulary.

Students who demonstrate a mature understanding of the topics covered in class and the indicated bibliography, and the ability to critically engage with them, expounding them correctly with appropriate terminology, will receive the highest marks.

A mnemonic knowledge of the subject (especially of text translations), balanced with general analytical and contextualisation skills and the use of correct, if not always appropriate, language, will result in a good grade.

Minimal knowledge of the subject, gaps in content, and/or inappropriate language use will result in grades that do not exceed the minimum requirement.

Serious or extensive gaps in knowledge of the texts and/or bibliography, inappropriate language and an inability to correctly frame the topics covered, as well as a lack of skills in reading and commenting on the texts, will result in failure.

 

There are eleven examination sessions during the academic year: the first six are held once a month from January to June, the seventh is held in September or October, the eighth is held in December, and the last three are held once a month from January to March.

Teaching tools

Original sources to be read will be supplied online (cf.https://virtuale.unibo.it/). Handbooks and individual study texts are available in the Ancient History library.

Students with learning disorders and/or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students] as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Alice Bencivenni

See the website of Lucia Criscuolo