C9558 - ARCHEOLOGIA FENICIA E PUNICA DAL MEDITERRANEO ORIENTALE ALL'ATLANTICO

Learning outcomes

Through the study of archaeological, textual, epigraphic, and iconographic sources relating to Phoenician and Punic civilization, the course aims to provide students with the tools to understand the migratory, economic, and cultural dynamics at play between the Eastern Mediterranean and the Atlantic from the end of the Bronze Age to the Romanization. At the end of the course, students will have advanced knowledge of specific aspects of Phoenician and Punic archaeology, forming a basis for further studies and applications of the skills acquired. They will also be able to critically describe and catalogue artifacts related to the topics studied, with solid competence in the relevant bibliography.

Course contents

1. Introduction to Phoenician and Punic Archaeology

The scope of this part of the course will be determined based on the students’ cultural background and after assessing any gaps in their foundational knowledge (max. 5 lectures)

Topics considered fundamental to the in-depth study described in point 2 of this section of the syllabus will be briefly covered, such as:

- the identity of the “Phoenicians” and “Punic peoples” in the contexts of history, microhistory, and archaeology;

- relations with indigenous populations in contexts of expansion.

2. Ports and Maritime Life in Phoenician and Punic Coastal Settlements

This part of the course will address aspects related to the development of port areas and the organization of coastal urban settlements in the Mediterranean and the Phoenician and Punic Atlantic regions, from East to West and from the early stages of the Iron Age through Romanization. Particular emphasis will be placed on the study of urban planning in relation to the specific morphology of the coastlines; on the analysis of production strategies linked to the maritime way of life of the Phoenicians and Carthaginians; and on the cults practiced in maritime temples from East to West.


Part of the course will be devoted to the study of the trade routes managed by the Phoenicians and Carthaginians; to an examination of exported and imported goods; and to the productive significance of the sea in the Phoenician and Carthaginian economies.

Readings/Bibliography

STUDENTS WHO HAVE ATTENDED AT LEAST 50 OUT OF 60 CLASS HOURS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE IN ATTENDANCE. THOSE WHO ARE ABSENT FOR MORE THAN 50 CLASS HOURS CANNOT THEREFORE BE CONSIDERED REGULAR STUDENTS AND MUST FOLLOW THE NON-ATTENDING STUDENT PROGRAM DESCRIBED BELOW.


PROGRAM FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS


1. Lecture notes (supplemented at the end of each class with images accompanied by slides projected during the course and provided by the instructor on Virtuale, via password, exclusively to students who have actually attended the course).


MANDATORY SUPPLEMENTARY READING LIST (available online or on Virtuale)

2. J.L. LOPEZ CASTRO, Carthage and Mediterranean trade in the Far West, 800-200 B.C., in Rivista di Studi Punici 1, 2000, pp. 123-44.

3. R. SECCI, Erodoto (IV, 196), Cartagine e l'oro africano: alcune riflessioni, in GriseldaOnline 2011.

4. R. SECCI, Cartagine oltre Cartagine tra VIII e VI secolo a.C.: una retrospettiva storiografica, in Byrsa 2018, pp. 351-64.

5. A. MEDEROS MARTÍN, Phoenician Emporia in the Atlantic Coast of Africa, in É. Gailledrat, M. Dietler, R. Plana-Mallart (eds.), The Emporion in the Ancient Western Mediterranean. Trade and Colonial Encountres from the Archaic to the Hellenistic Period, Montpellier 2018, pp. 55-66.

6. M. BOTTO, Dinamiche commerciali e relazioni culturali fra Etruschi, Fenici e Cartaginesi nel Mediterraneo fra il VII e il VI sec. a.C., in  G.M. Della Fina (ed.), Gli Etruschi nel Mediterraneo. Commerci e relazioni culturali (VII-V secolo a.C.). Atti del XXIX Convegno Internazionale di Studi sulla Storia e l’Archeologia dell’Etruria, Orvieto 2025, pp. 301-38.

READING LIST FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

In addition to the articles listed in points 2–7, non-attending students must study the entire book:

M.E. AUBET, Tiro y las colonias fenicias de occidente, Barcelona 2009.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons with use of power point.
The active involvement of the students will be requested and moments of seminar discussion will be created.

At the end of the course, attending students may have the opportunity to participate in the excavations at the Tharros site (OR).

In this regard, it is recommended to attend the course on safety in archaeological sites (module 3: 4 hours).

Assessment methods

The evaluation of learning will take place through individual interviews.

No distinction will be made between attending and non-attending students as regards the assessment policy.

The student will have to prove that he/she has the basic notions of Phoenician and Punic civilisation. On the basis of the lessons attended, the student must be able to contextualise the documentary sources submitted (archaeological, iconographic, etc.). The test will also involve a precise questioning of all the texts indicated in the bibliographic programme.

With regard to assessment, the use of AI is
prohibited. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

EXCELLENT EVALUATION
If the student demonstrates knowledge of the subject, an excellent capacity for exposition and logical connections between different historical-archaeological problems, he/she will obtain the maximum mark (30). If the presentation is excellent, honours will be added (cum laude).

GOOD OR FAIR EVALUATION
Students with basic knowledge who are able to contextualise the archaeological materials examined, even if the language used is not always appropriate to the subject, will pass the examination. The awarding of a mark more or less close to 29 will depend on the critical capacity, the methodological autonomy demonstrated during the interview and the fluency of the discourse that the student will be able to organise in response to the questions.


SUFFICIENT EVALUATION
Students whose basic knowledge is not homogeneous and who have little mastery of exposition, but who are able to answer at least two questions correctly, showing that they have done at least some preparatory work on their notes and/or texts, will be awarded a mark between 18 and 25.


NEGATIVE EVALUATION
Students with a lack of preparation, no ability to analyse the discipline and who have not memorised the bibliography will not pass the exams.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations; online teaching materials (for attending students ONLY); additional specialised bibliography assigned on a voluntary basis.

Students with SLD or different abilities (temporary or permanent) are kindly required to timely contact the administrative staff in charge (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students). The staff will define possible adaptations that students can submit (at least 15 days before the exam) to the instructor’s evaluation in relation to the course’s teaching objectives.

Office hours

See the website of Anna Chiara Fariselli