44133 - Epigraphy and Roman Principles (1)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students know and are able to apply the main methodological tools for source analysis in order to interpreting the epigraphic sources of the Roman age. Students will be aware of the main heuristic and interpretative methods for the understanding of societies and institutions of the Roman world. Students will be able to use the critical edition of an epigraphic text, to independently analyze and contextualize documentary sources by verifying translations and in the original language, aware of the importance of media, preservation and transmission context. Students are able to use the main digital tools for cataloging, disseminating and preserving the epigraphic heritage.

Course contents

I part (Roman Epigraphy)

-Characteristics and taxonomy of Latin inscriptions.

-Major corpora of Latin inscriptions (paper and online version)

-How to read Latin inscriptions.

-The Latin inscription as a document for the ancient history study.

Specific research: Latin inscriptions and the Roman society. Examples from Bononia, Mutina, Ariminum, Sassina.

Lectures start on January 29, 2018;

Monday-Wednesday-Thursday, 1-3 pm

aula Celio, via Zamboni 38.

 

II part (Roman institutions)

Roman society institutions.

It will be analyzed the origin and evolution of:

-the most important government bodies

-senatorial, equestrian and municipal careers.

In order to attend this course the student is required to have a basic knowledge of the Latin language.

If the student does not posses such level of Latin, he is recommended to attend the course "Latino zero" organized by the school of Lettere; more details about the dates and timetable of this course (althought they refer to year 2016/2017) can be found at http://corsi.unibo.it/lettere/ Pagine/corsi-di-latino-zero- 2016.aspx. [http://corsi.unibo.it/lettere/Pagine/corsi-di-latino-zero-2016.aspx]

Lessons start on March 12, 2018

Monday-Wednesday-Thursday, 1-3 pm

aula Celio, via Zamboni 38, Bologna.

Readings/Bibliography

For the 1.st section (Roman Epigraphy):

1) Lessons Notes.
2) Read the book: 

A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina, Carocci 2009.

 

For the 2.st section (Roman Institution):

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

Students not attending lessons, must contact the professor (daniela.rigato@unibo.it)

 

Students not attending lectures will have to read the subsequent books:

A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina, Carocci 2009;

G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Il mulino 2009, seconda edizione.

Choise 15 inscriptions from:

Epigrafia latina. Ostia: cento iscrizioni in contesto, a cura di Mireille Cébeillac Gervasoni, Maria Letizia Caldelli, Fausto Zevi, Roma, Quasar, 2010.

Teaching methods

Lessons will be of oral type.

Students are required to actively participate with personal opinions during the analysis of the epigraphic and literary documents.

There will take place an organised tour to the Museo Civico Archeologico in Bologna, where students will have the possibility to better and closely know the epigraphic material.

Assessment methods

The exam will take the form of an oral discussion and the student will be assessed according to the knowledge he has acquired, his ability to provide a clear summary of the topics covered and his critical handling of the material. He will be expected to refer to both the exam bibliography and the inscriptions and discussed during the lectures.

The assessment will concentrate particularly on the skill displayed by the student in handling the sources and material in the exam bibliography and his ability to find and use information and examples to illustrate and correlate the various themes and problems addressed in the course.

The assessment will thus examine the student's:

- factual knowledge of the subject;
- ability to summarise and analyse themes and concepts;
- familiarity with the terminology associated with the subject and his ability to use it effectively.

Top marks will be awarded to a student displaying an overall understanding of the topics discussed during the lectures, combined with a critical approach to the material and a confident and effective use of the appropriate terminology.
Average marks will be awarded to a student who has memorized the main points of the material and is able to summarise them satisfactorily and provide an effective critical commentary, while failing to display a complete command of the appropriate terminology.
A student will be deemed to have failed the exam if he displays significant errors in his understanding and failure to grasp the overall outlines of the subject, together with a poor command of the appropriate terminology.

The student will have to answer for questions concerning:

-the handbooks,

-the items discussed during the lectures,

-the inscriptions analyzed during the  lectures.

Teaching tools

Hand-outs of examined inscriptions and analyzed literary sources will be given;  ppt concerning the different studied topics.

 

Office hours

See the website of Daniela Rigato