85133 - Archaeology of the Etruscan City

Learning outcomes

The course offers a broad perspective on the archeology of the city in Etruria, a fundamental aspect of Etruscan civilization according to literary sources and archaeological reality.  The course aims to conduct the analysis of the Etruscan city, understood in general terms as institutional reality, in its topographical, ritual and functional aspects and, secondly, the planimetric, monumental, cultural and architectural aspects of the main cities of the Etruscan Po Valley, Tyrrhenian Etruria and Campania. At the end of the course, the student is thoroughly acquainted with the physiognomy of the Etruscan city and is able to navigate within this reality, including its institutional features and specific meanings. In addition, the student is able to recognize the main monumental aspects of the individual cities of Etruria. Finally, the course aims to make the student capable of conducting independent research on issues related to the topic of teaching. In order to achieve this fundamental goal during the course, we provide essential methodological and bibliographic tools.

Course contents

The course will introduce the following topics:

 

1. The Etruscans and the city:

- The foundation and planning of the city;

- The space of the sacred;

- The necropolis;

- The space for living and for the craftsmanship;

- The city and the territory.

 

2. Layout and monuments of the cities of Etruria:

- Tyrrhenian Etruria;

- Po Valley;

- Campania.

 

3. Focus on a single city of Etruria (a different city every year).

Readings/Bibliography

Students, who attend all the lessons, are requested to study the following bibliography:

• Personal notes taken during the lessons (topics 1 and 3);
• G. Camporeale, Gli Etruschi. Storia e civiltà, only the second part of the book, Le città (topic 2).

 

Students, who do not attend the lessons, must contact the Teacher by email to define a specific bibliography to study.

 

Students, who did not attend a course of Etruscology before, are requested to study a supplementary book in Italian or in other language (e.g. G. Bartoloni, Introduzione all'Etruscologia, Milano 2012 or G. Camporeale, Gli Etruschi. Storia e civiltà). Please, contact the Teacher for further information.

 

Foreign students, students, who have difficulty studying the subject, or DSAs are welcome to meet the Professor and agree with her on a specific bibliography in a foreign language, maps of concepts, or other. These students are requested to contact the Professor as soon as the lessons start. 

Teaching methods

Lectures beginning from 10:15. Attending the lesson is highly recommended.

Students will have the chance to practice in laboratory (dott.ssa Chiara Mattioli) or to partecipate in the annual archaeological excavations in the Etruscan city of Marzabotto (Director Prof.ssa Elisabetta Govi).

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral test concerning history, evolution of the Etruscan cities and their artistic productions. Familiarity and deep knowledge of indicated bibliography and of topics covered during lectures are required. Three general questions are the starting point of a more detailed discussion.

The overall evaluation will consider the following parameters:

- an excellent knowledge of the topics, the ability to analyse themes, to refer them by using the field-specific terminology and to discuss specific issues critically, arguing their own opinion, will be rewarded with an excellent mark.

- a mnemonic knowledge of the subject with the ability to analyse, with correct, although not always field-specific command of the language will be rewarded with a 'fair' mark.

- minimal knowledge of the subject will not be enough to pass the exam.

Teaching tools

During the lessons visual aids will be widely used, especially slides and projections from computer.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Pizzirani