28278 - Hellenistic History (1) (LM)

Academic Year 2022/2023

  • Docente: Manuela Mari
  • Credits: 6
  • SSD: L-ANT/02
  • Language: Italian

Course contents

Students who want to attend the course must have already a minimal knowledge of Greek history, namely the Hellenistic period (from 323 to 30 BC). In case they do not have such experience, they must be prepared to get it during the course. The ancient texts will be read in the original language and translated into Italian, and this means that, although not compulsory, the knowledge of Greek and Latin is a useful requirement.

The content of the course will be:

1. Introduction: general history of the period and of the studies on it. Sources; interdisciplinary and plutidisciplinary aspects of Hellenistic history.

2. The king's death and the succession to the throne in the Hellenistic age.

First lesson: November 9, 2022; last lesson: December 19, 2022

Readings/Bibliography

Students who haven't studied Hellenistic history before will read as a preliminary tool one of the following books:

A. Chaniotis, Età di conquiste. Il mondo greco da Alessandro ad Adriano, Hoepli, Milano 2019;

F. Muccioli, Storia dell’Ellenismo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2019.

Attending students should also study:

1. Literary and epigraphic texts discussed during lectures, which will be available on virtuale.unibo.it.

2. One article of their choice from the following: V. Alonso Troncoso, Some Remarks on the Funerals of the Kings: From Philip II to the Diadochi, in P. Wheatley – R. Hannah (eds.), Alexander and His Successors. Essays from the Antipodes, Claremont 2009, pages 261-275; I. Savalli-Lestrade, Rumeurs et silences autour de la mort des rois hellénistiques, in B. Boissavit-Camus – F. Chausson – H. Inglebert (eds.), La mort du souverain entre Antiquité et haut Moyen Age, Paris-Nanterre 2003, pages 65-82. Further readings will be suggested during the course.

3. Students are also expected also to write a paper on a subject approved by the teacher.

For students who do not attend the lessons all indications above are valid, with the exception of nr. 1 (literary and epigraphic texts discussed during lectures). They will replace knowledge of the literary and epigraphic texts discussed in the lectures with a reading of their choice from the following:

S. E. Alcock, Graecia Capta. Politica, economia e società nel paesaggio dell'Ellade romana, Genova, ECIG, 1999;

E.D. Carney, King and Court in Ancient Macedonia. Rivalry, Treason and Conspiracy, Swansea, The Classical Press of Wales, 2015, pages 1-26, 61-90, 155-165;

J.D. Grainger, Seleukos Nikator, Genova, ECIG 1993;

P. Thonemann, The Hellenistic World. Using Coins as Sources, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2015.

Teaching methods

Students are invited to discuss and to take part in the lessons, both for the general introduction and the analysis of the texts. There will be a training in finding the literary and documentary sources related to the problem discussed in the course, in collecting the modern bibliography, in using the digital tools available for the study of ancient history, in mastering a correct and clear technical language.

A basic knowledge of ancient Greek and Latin is recommended but not compulsory. Students who have never studied Greek and Latin can apply to the Dept. of Classics for the admission to the elementary courses in these languages.

Assessment methods

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

To give the exam students have to write a short paper on a subject preferably related to the topics discussed during the course. The paper must be presented 7 days before the oral exam. This paper will be discussed during the exam (along with the texts and bibliography indicated above). The exam is oral. All students will be asked at least 3 questions, one on the reading texts and 2 on the texts and issues dealt at classes. In particular, the ability to illustrate in a clear and competent way the methodologies applied to the analysis of the texts examined in the course of the lectures or possibly studied independently by students will be tested.

Students who show a mature understanding of the topics covered in class and/or of the bibliography indicated and the ability to use them critically, expounding them correctly and with correct terminology, will be evaluated at the maximum; a mnemonic knowledge of the subject (especially translations of the texts), counterbalanced by general analytical and framing skills, and a correct but not always appropriate language, will lead to a good evaluation; minimal knowledge of the subject, some gaps in content and/or inappropriate language will receive grades that do not exceed sufficiency; serious or extensive gaps in the knowledge of texts and/or bibliography, inappropriate language, inability to correctly frame the topics covered, and no skills in reading and commenting upon the texts do not allow to pass.

Punctuality to the exams is recommended. Please remind that no students are allowed to give exams out of the public lists.

IMPORTANT: This 6 CFU course can be chosen as a part of the 12 CFU Integrated Course “Greek History (C.I.) (LM)". If the student has chosen the Integrated Course (12 CFU) in his/her study plan, the exam must be taken in the same day, and the single, final mark is given by the two teachers, according to the assessment of both proofs.

Teaching tools

All texts commented and discussed with the students during the course will be available on virtuale.unibo.it, and all texts will be shown in the critical edition and, if necessary, a digital image will be provided.

Office hours

See the website of Manuela Mari

SDGs

Quality education Gender equality

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.