10332 - Roman Epigraphy (1)

Academic Year 2021/2022

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 (six lessons);

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

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

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 (one lesson);

practical exercises on reading and interpretation of inscriptions and use of the main epigraphic databases (two lessons).

 

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

The Republican institutional system: birth and evolution, main governing bodies, senatorial career, main forms of government adopted by Rome during the territorial conquest phases (four lessons);

the Imperial institutional system: the imperial title and prerogatives of the princeps, the equestrian career, evolution of the senatorial and equestrian cursus (seven lessons);

municipal careers: birth and development from the Republican period to Late antiquity (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;

G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Il Mulino, Bologna 2009, 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

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 (Introduction and Two Chapters at choice among Chapters 1-4);

G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Il Mulino, Bologna 2009, Second Edition;

10 incriptions chosen from M. Cébeillac Gervasoni, M.L. Caldelli, F. Zevi (eds.), Epigrafia latina. Ostia: cento iscrizioni in contesto, Quasar, Roma 2010 (Students should provide reading, translation and historical background of the selected inscriptions).

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://iol.unibo.it/.

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Mongardi