44132 - Roman Epigraphy and Institutions

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have a basic ability to use epigraphic sources for historical analysis of the ancient world. They will know the digital tools for the study of epigraph and for classification and appraisal of epigraphic documents. They will be aware of communication issues in Roman society and the importance of the epigraphic heritage. They will have a basic knowledge of Roman private and public institutions, and how that society’s institutions and political system worked. They will know how to read, comment and use epigraphic sources critically, and will also critically use the sources serving for reconstruction and study of the ancient world. They will be able to explain institutional and social phenomena, comparing and linking them over different eras and geographical settings. They will discuss the main themes of the course, using the specific terminology. They will have 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 the Module on Epigraphy (also equivalent with Roman Epigraphy course (6 CFU) and Epigraphy and Roman Principles course (6 CFU))

Characters and taxonomy of Latin inscriptions and main paper and online collections (seven lessons);

the onomastic system and its social and juridical value (two lessons);

Latin inscriptions as documents for the study of ancient society (four lessons);

practical exercises on reading and interpretation of inscriptions and use of the main epigraphic databases (one lesson);

visit to the lapidary collection of the Archaeological Civic Museum of Bologna with a direct approach to epigraphic documents (one lesson).

 

For the Module on Institutions (also equivalent with Epigraphy and Roman Principles course (6 CFU))

Institutions of the Roman monarchy (one lesson);

the Republican institutional system: birth and evolution, main governing bodies, senatorial career (three lessons);

main forms of government adopted by Rome during the territorial conquest phases and provincial organization in the Roman Imperial Period (three lessons);

the Imperial institutional system: the creation of the Principate (two lessons);

the imperial titulature (two lessons);

the equestrian career, evolution of the senatorial and equestrian cursus, municipal careers (three lessons)

practical exercises on reading and interpreting inscriptions relevant to Roman institutions (one lesson).

 

In order to attend this course, a basic knowledge about Latin language is required.

Non-attending students are invited to contact by email the Professor (manuela.mongardi2@unibo.it).

 

Readings/Bibliography

Module on Epigraphy

Lecture notes;

A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina. Nuova edizione accresciuta e rinnovata, Carocci Editore, Roma 2020;

the reading of S. Giorcelli, Epigrafia e storia di Roma. Nuova edizione, Carocci Editore, Roma 2019, Indroduction (pp. 15-67) is strongly recommended.

 

Module on Institutions

Lecture notes;

M. Pani, E. Todisco, Società e istituzioni di Roma antica, Carocci Editore, Roma 2014, Second Edition.

 

Students who will take the Epigraphy and Roman Principles exam (6 CFU) have to study the bibliography for the Module on Epigraphy, with the addition of two Chapters from G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Il Mulino, Bologna 2009, Second Edition (at choice).

 

Readings for non-attending students (12CFU Exam)

A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina. Nuova edizione accresciuta e rinnovata, Carocci Editore, Roma 2020;

S. Giorcelli, Epigrafia e storia di Roma. Nuova edizione, Carocci Editore, Roma 2019 (Two Chapters at choice among Chapters 1-3 plus Chapters 5-7);

M. Pani, E. Todisco, Società e istituzioni di Roma antica, Carocci Editore, Roma 2014, Second Edition; 

W. Eck, La riforma dei gruppi dirigenti. L’ordine senatorio e l’ordine equestre, in A. Momigliano, A. Schiavone (eds.), Storia di Roma II.1: I principi e il mondo, Einaudi, Torino 1991, pp. 73-118.

 

Readings for non-attending students (6CFU Exam in Roman Epigraphy)

A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina. Nuova edizione accresciuta e rinnovata, Carocci Editore, Roma 2020;

Introduction and e Chapters 5-7 from: S. Giorcelli, Epigrafia e storia di Roma. Nuova edizione, Carocci Editore, Roma 2019.

Readings for non-attending students (6CFU Exam in Roman Institutions)

M, Pani, E. Todisco, Società e istituzioni di Roma antica, Carocci Editore, Roma 2014, seconda edizione;

Two Chapters at choice among Chapters 1-3 from: S. Giorcelli, Epigrafia e storia di Roma. Nuova edizione, Carocci Editore, Roma 2019.

W. Eck, La riforma dei gruppi dirigenti. L’ordine senatorio e l’ordine equestre, in A. Momigliano, A. Schiavone (eds.), Storia di Roma II.1: I principi e il mondo, Einaudi, Torino 1991, pp. 73-118.

 

 

 

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons;

practical exercises on reading and interpreting inscriptions;

depending on the development of the epidemic situation, visit to the lapidary collection of the Archaeological Civic Museum of Bologna with a direct approach to epigraphic documents.

Assessment methods

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

Assessment will be carried out through an oral exam. Students will have to answer questions (4 questions for the 12 CFU course, 3 questions for the 6 CFU course) relating to the recommended readings, as well as to the topics analysed and the epigraphic documents illustrated during the course.

The exam will assess the knowledge acquired and the critical and synthesis skills developed by the student, focusing on the recommended bibliography and the documents presented during the lessons.

Questions are aimed to assess if students can demonstrate: mastery of contents; capacity for synthesis, analysis and connection of topics and concepts; expressive and specific language skills.

Grading criteria:

Top marks will be awarded to students demonstrating an overall understanding of the topics discussed during the lessons, combined with a critical approach to the discipline and a confident and effective use of the appropriate terminology.

Fair marks will be awarded to students demonstrating a mnemonic knowledge of the subject, combined with a correct, but not always appropriate, command of the field-specific language.

Minimal knowledge of the bibliographical materials and/or use of inappropriate language will lead to a pass mark (or just above).

Inadequate knowledge, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials will lead to fail the exam.

Teaching tools

PowerPoint presentations will be displayed during classes.

All texts commented during the course and those provided to students for practical exercises will be available on https://virtuale.unibo.it/. 

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Mongardi