92316 - ARCHEOLOGIA DELLA ROMANIZZAZIONE

Learning outcomes

Archaeology of Romanization The course examines the processes through which Rome expanded its control, first within the Italic peninsula and later over the major islands (Sicily and Sardinia) as well as the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. It will analyze the main “archaeological indicators” that attest to the conquest and management of new territories, both administratively and functionally, through the foundation of coloniae and smaller settlements (oppida, vici, pagi) that ensured control over newly acquired spaces. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically address the issues studied, not only by employing tools essential for the proper understanding and interpretation of knowledge in this field, but also by applying the fundamental skills needed to design projects and conduct research within archaeological fieldwork.

Course contents

The syllabus for the course on ‘Archaeology of Romanisation’ aims to focus on a historical period of great significance, coinciding with the Republican era and Rome’s gradual conquest of the Mediterranean. Rome’s expansion, in fact, proceeded initially within the Italian peninsula, northwards (Etruria and Cisalpine Gaul) and southwards (Samnium and Magna Graecia), before turning towards the islands (Sicily and Sardinia) and towards the Aegean and the East.

The course will analyse the ways in which Rome managed to carry out this expansion, often solely through the application of ‘soft power’, whilst examining the main ‘archaeological indicators’ of the so-called Romanisation of the conquered territories (new building techniques, forms of habitation, and the new material culture).

The analysis of Epirus as a ‘case study’ will then lead to an examination of how different cultures – both local and external – intersected, with implications in linguistic terms (the study of bilingualism in epigraphy), architectural terms (various models of public and private buildings), and cultural terms more generally (trade and the ‘theft’ of works of art, for example). Finally, particular attention will be paid to analysing the mechanisms of communication and the ‘staging’ of the new power, whether public or private in nature.

As Epirus has been one of the sites where the author has been conducting archaeological excavations since 2000, all students are required to take part in the regular excavation campaigns organised each year, in order to gain first-hand experience of archaeological investigation: Progetto Phoinike: Progetto Phoinike .

STUDENTS WISHING TO TAKE PART IN THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS CONDUCTED AS PART OF THE COURSE ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE WORKPLACE SAFETY TRAINING MODULES: here. FURTHERMORE, FOR THE EXCAVATION, A HEALTH CLEARANCE IS REQUIRED, WHICH IS ASSESSED FOLLOWING A MEDICAL EXAMINATION ORGANISED BY THE UNIVERSITY’S OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICE.

 

Readings/Bibliography

To prepare for the exam, students are required to read one textbook of their choice from the following list:

Elvira Migliario, Giulia Vettori, The Dynamics of Romanisation: Conflicts and Negotiations in Ancient Italy, Florence 2025

• Nicola Terrenato, The Great Negotiation: Rome’s Expansion in Italy between History and Archaeology, Bologna 2022
• Giorgio Bejor et al., Art and Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Milan 2011

Non-attending students must supplement the textbook listed above with one of the following readings of their choice:

• Giovanni Cecconi, ‘Romanisation, Cultural Diversity, Political Correctness’, in *MEFRA* 118-1 (2006), pp. 81–94
• Filippo Coarelli, The Romans in Sicily and Southern Italy, Udine 2006
• Giuseppe Lepore, Belisa Muka, Phoinike VII. Preliminary Report on the 2015–2022 Excavation and Research Campaigns, Rome 2023
• Cristina Soraci, Roman Sicily. 3rd century BC–5th century AD, Bologna 2016
• E. La Rocca, C. Parisi Presicce (a cura di), La Grecia a Roma (Catalogo della Mostra, Roma 29 novembre - 12 aprile 2026), Roma 2025

Further reading will be provided during the lectures.

Teaching methods

Given the specific structure of the course, all students are encouraged to attend lectures, which will, as far as possible, take the form of seminars, with active participation in the discussion of the topics under study.

 

Students who are unable to attend lectures will be required to study a textbook of their choice from those listed under ‘texts/bibliography’, together with further reading to be selected from the recommendations in the previous section.

 

Anyone with specific interests (or requirements) may contact the lecturer to arrange alternative study plans.

 

Assessment methods

The assessment will consist of an oral examination, the purpose of which is to assess the acquisition of basic knowledge in the field of Greek and Roman archaeology and art history. Particular attention will therefore be paid to the soundness of the geographical and chronological context of each site and monument. Proficiency in specialist terminology will be viewed very favourably.

PLEASE NOTE: the use of AI tools during the examination is prohibited in any form, including chatbots, text generators, advanced translators, content synthesisers and tools integrated into devices.

Any use of AI is considered a breach of the principle of honesty and fairness set out in the Policy and may result in the examination being annulled by the lecturer, who remains responsible for verifying the validity of the examination (Scenario No. 1 of the University Policy).

The purpose of the examination is also to assess the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student. Given the importance of attendance at lectures, the following assessment criteria will be applied to both attending and non-attending students.

 

Attending students

Students’ ability to participate actively in lectures will be assessed: these skills, combined with a thorough understanding of the subject matter covered in the lectures, the demonstration of critical thinking and appropriate verbal expression, will be awarded the highest marks (27–30 with distinction).

Attendance at lectures, combined with a predominantly rote learning of the course material and verbal expression and logical skills that are not entirely satisfactory, will be awarded a mark ranging from ‘good’ (24–26) to ‘satisfactory’ (21–23).

Attendance at lectures, combined with a minimal grasp of the course material and inadequate verbal expression and logical reasoning skills, will be assessed with a pass mark (18–20).

A failure to demonstrate even a minimal grasp of the course material, combined with inadequate verbal expression and logical reasoning skills, will be assessed as a fail, which requires the student to retake the exam.

 

Non-attending students

Non-attending students will be assessed primarily on their ability to use the bibliography and multimedia resources provided to present the course content appropriately. This ability, combined with a thorough understanding of the subject matter covered in the lectures, the demonstration of critical thinking and appropriate verbal expression, will be awarded the highest marks (27–30 with distinction).

A predominantly rote learning of the course material, accompanied by verbal expression and logical reasoning skills that are not entirely satisfactory, will be assessed with a mark ranging from ‘good’ (24–26) to ‘satisfactory’ (21–23).

A minimal grasp of the course material, combined with inadequate verbal expression and logical reasoning skills, will be awarded a pass mark (18–20).

A failure to demonstrate even a minimal grasp of the course material, combined with inadequate verbal expression and logical reasoning skills, will result in a fail mark, which requires the student to retake the entire examination.

PLEASE NOTE: Please be aware that the exam will be held in person only and that working students are entitled to special arrangements, all of which can be found on the following web pages: exam [http://https/www.unibo.it/it/studiare/guida-alla-scelta-del-corso/guida-al-percorso-di-studi/esami-e-appelli-desame] .

Finally, please note that all students are required to attend the roll call held at the start of each exam session, even if the exams are spread over several days; failure to do so will result in exclusion from the session.

 

Teaching tools

The lectures will be supported by the projection of images which, at the end of each session, will be provided to students and made available on the virtual.unibo.it platform: here.

Students will also be expected to undertake individual in-depth studies related to the course topics (further details will be provided during the lectures).

Students who, due to a disability or specific learning difficulties (SLD), require assistive measures may inform the lecturer of their needs so that they can be referred to the relevant contacts and agree on the most appropriate arrangements.

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Lepore