75732 - Egyptology (LM)

Course contents

The course is divided in two parts.

The first part of the course is an introduction to the language and hieroglyphic writing of ancient Egypt. In particular, it will focus on the following aspects;
- the hieroglyphs (phonetic signs, determinatives, ideograms);
- the noun;
- the personal pronouns;
- introduction to the non-verbal and verbal sentences

The second part of the course focuses on the study and analysis of some important aspects of the ancient Egyptian religion, in particular the identities, images and functions of the gods; some key figures of the Egyptian pantheon, such as Osiris, Horus, Isis, Seth, Ra and Amon; the rituals performed in the temples and the personal forms of piety, through which Egyptians were able to establish a direct relation with the divine; cosmogonies and the afterlife; architecture and function of the temples in the dynastic and Greco-Roman Period.

Readings/Bibliography

First  part:
P. Allen, Middle Egyptian. An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs, Cambridge University Press 2000;

Second part

Two of the following books:
- J. Assmann, The Mind of Egypt. History and Meaning in the Time of the Pharaohs, New York 2002.
- E. Bresciani, Testi religiosi dell'Antico Egitto, Milano 2001;
- L. Coulon (ed.), Le culte d'Osiris au Ier millénaire av. J.C. Découvertes et travaux récents, Cairo 2010.
- F. Dunand - C. Zivie-Coche, Dei e uomini nell'Egitto antico,  Roma 2003;
- D. O'Connor, Egypt's First Pharaohs and the Cult of Osiris, London 2009.
-S. Quirke, Exploring religion in Ancient Egypt, Oxford 2015.
- B. E. Shafer (ed.), Temples of Ancient Egypt, Cairo 2005;
- H. Te Velde, Seth, God of Confusion, Leiden 1977;
- M. Zecchi, Inni religiosi dell'Egitto antico, Brescia 2004,
- M. Zecchi, Sobek of Shedet. The Crocodile God in the Fayyum in the Dynastic Period, Todi 2010

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons

Assessment methods

Oral exams, during which students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge on different aspects of the ancient Egyptian religion: identities and functions of the gods; templar rituals and liturgies and personal forms of piety; cosmogonies and afterlife; religious literature; architecture and functions of the Egyptian temples.

Students will have to demonstrate their knowledge on some aspects of the grammar of the Egyptian language (Middle Egyptian): different typologies of hieroglyphs; the noun; personal pronouns and non-verbal and verbal sentences.

Teaching tools

Powerpoints

Office hours

See the website of Marco Zecchi