85508 - History of Nomadism (C A94)

Learning outcomes

Object of this course is the study of nomadic societies and their relations with the sedentary world. The student will be introduced to the main features of the nomadic societies in their historical development. The relations between nomadic and sedentary peoples will be examined in the Eurasian geopolitical space (from the I millennium BC until the Modern age) through some concrete cases: The Scythians and their relations with the Greeks and the Persians, the opposition of Iran and Turan, the Alans between the Caucasus and Europe, up to the Mongolian invasions of Central Asia and Europe in the XIII century. By the end of course unit, the student will be acquainted with the problems of incomprehension between two different models of society and different values, with the problems of communication and the mutual distorted perception between sedentary and nomadic world.

Course contents

Main features of the nomadic societies. Nomadism in its historical development. Interaction between nomads and sedentaries. Overview of the principal nomadic societies of the Ancient world, the Late Antiquity and Low Middle Ages: Scythians, Alans and Mongols. The nomads in contemporary world. Map of contemporary nomadism. Different typologies of nomadic societies.

1: Mongolia and Kazachstan. Preservation and changes in traditions and way of life.

2: Iran and Afghanistan.

3: Siberia and Arctic region: the preservation of languages and own culture.

Overview of others nomadic peoples, main characteristics, changes and perspectives of nomadism today.

Readings/Bibliography

Ehlers, E. (2011), “Nomadism”. Encyclopaedia Iranica(http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/nomadism)

Harmatta, J. (ed.) (1994), History of Civilizations of Central Asia. II: The Development of Sedentary and Nomadic Civilizations. Paris.

Krader, L. (1963), Social Organization of the Mongol-Tukic Pastoral Nomads. The Hague.

Kradin, N. (2002), “Nomadism, Evolution and World-System. Pastoral Societies in Theories of Historical Development”. Journal of World-System Research, 8: 368-388.

Kradin, N. (2006), “Cultural Complexity of Pastoral Nomads”. World Cultures, 15, pp. 171-189.

Ognibene, P. (2017) “Scythian, Persian and Greek Misunderstandings”.Estudios Iranios y Turanios. Homenaje a Helmut Humbach en su 95° aniversario. 3. pp. 119-128.

Panaino, A. – Gallo, N. – Martelli, F. – Ognibene, P. (a cura di) (2009),Migrazioni, nomadismo e politiche di cooperazione internazionale. Milano.

Riasanovsky, V.A. (1965) Custumary Law of the Nomadic Tribes of Siberia. The Hague.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons using textual material for students.

Assessment methods

The examination consists in a discussion of the main items presented during the lessons.

Solid vision of the subjects presented in the class, knowledge of the related arguments with precision in the terminology, ability in the critical reference to the different aspects of the discipline = highest votes.

Mnenomic knowledge with a correct language but not always consistent and critically argumented = discrete valutation.

Weak preparation, unfitting language, mistakes, incompetence in the bibliographical items, uncritical references = insufficient

Teaching tools

manuals, videos.

Office hours

See the website of Paolo Ognibene