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 thoroughly learns the methodology and content needed to correctly conduct critical research. He/she is able to use various sources—archaeological, literary, and epigraphic—and an appropriate scientific bibliography.

Course contents

The course will be divided into two modules. In the first one (20 hours), preparatory themes for a general knowledge of the late antique and Byzantine world will be addressed, developed through the use of archaeological contexts and artefacts,

 

In the second module (40 hours), the way of living in the Mediterranean cities and countryside between the 4th and 8th centuries will be discussed, using as exemplary cases the urban houses of Alexandria, Antioch, Apamea, Athens, Constantinopolis, Ephesus, and the villas of Casignana, Chiragan, Noheda and Piazza Armerina.

Readings/Bibliography

Module 1: The module involves the use of teaching cards that will be provided to the attending students (20 cards related to the archaeological contexts addressed in the lecture). Also: Bizantini. Luoghi, simboli e comunità di un Impero millenario, Roma 2023, pp. 16-23, 60-119.

Module 2: M. Bergmann, La villa di Chiragan, in Aurea Roma, Roma 2000, 168-171. I. Baldini Lippolis, L'architettura residenziale nelle città tardoantiche, Roma 2005; G. Cantamessa, La villa romana del Casale di Piazza Armerina, Palermo 2013; M.A. Valero Tévar, The late-antique villa at Noheda (Villar de Domingo García) near Cuenca and its mosaics, in Journal of Roman Archaeology 2013, pp. 307-330; 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 (Bologna 2-5 marzo 2016), Bari 2019, 523-534; I. Baldini, Il Palazzo dei Giganti di Atene: un pretorio?, in Atti CISEM 3, Bari 2021, 93-108; I. Baldini et alii, La ripresa delle ricerche alla villa della del Casale di Piazza Armerina: nuovi dati e prospettive per la storia dell’insediamento “post villam”, in M. Cavalieri et alii, La villa dopo la villa 3, Luvain 2024, 181-206. I. Baldini, Immagini di servi nelle residenze tardoantiche, in Atti CISEM 4, Bari 2024, 111-124.

 

Non attending students:

Module 1: R. Krautheimer, Architettura paleocristiana e bizantina, Torino 1986, pp. 7-26, 33-68; 233-286; I. Baldini Lippolis, L'architettura residenziale nelle città tardoantiche, Roma 2005; 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; Bizantini. Luoghi, simboli e comunità di un Impero millenario, Roma 2023, pp. 16-23, 60-119.

Module 2: M. Bergmann, La villa di Chiragan, in Aurea Roma, Roma 2000, 168-171. I. Baldini Lippolis, L'architettura residenziale nelle città tardoantiche, Roma 2005; G. Cantamessa, La villa romana del Casale di Piazza Armerina, Palermo 2013; M.A. Valero Tévar, The late-antique villa at Noheda (Villar de Domingo García) near Cuenca and its mosaics, in Journal of Roman Archaeology 2013, pp. 307-330; 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 (Bologna 2-5 marzo 2016), Bari 2019, 523-534; I. Baldini, Il Palazzo dei Giganti di Atene: un pretorio?, in Atti CISEM 3, Bari 2021, 93-108; F. Cantini, M. Turchiano, Dalle ville aristocratiche alle aristocrazie delle ville, ibid., pp. 593-608; I. Baldini et alii, La ripresa delle ricerche alla villa della del Casale di Piazza Armerina: nuovi dati e prospettive per la storia dell’insediamento “post villam”, in M. Cavalieri et alii, La villa dopo la villa 3, Luvain 2024, 181-206; I. Baldini, Immagini di servi nelle residenze tardoantiche, in Atti CISEM 4, Bari 2024, 111-124. Also: 3 papers of your choice (among those not already indicated in the bibliography) from the volume Atti CISEM 3, Bari 2021.

Teaching methods

Frontal instruction with direct involvement of students through discussions on the presented topics.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral interview, during which the student will be asked to discuss the topics covered in class. The candidate is expected to have a proper understanding of the main issues addressed. The interview will also serve as an opportunity to assess the candidate's ability to navigate the content of the discipline.

The achievement of a comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in class, along with their critical utilization, a good command of expression and specific language, will be evaluated with excellent grades. Memorization of the material, combined with the ability to provide concise and well-analyzed responses in appropriate language, though not always precise, will result in satisfactory evaluations. Deficiencies in knowledge and/or the use of inappropriate language, even within the context of minimal understanding of the exam material, will lead to grades that do not meet the minimum requirements. Deficiencies in knowledge, inappropriate language, and a lack of orientation within the provided bibliographic materials during the course will be evaluated negatively.

Exams are scheduled once a month. Between June and September, exams may be scheduled less frequently due to overlapping excavation missions.
It may be helpful to attend one of the public exam sessions before taking the exam.

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending

Teaching tools

ppt downloadable, worksheets

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.

Links to further information

https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/isabella.baldini

Office hours

See the website of Isabella Baldini