77877 - Ancient Greek Cities in Magna Graecia and Sicily

Learning outcomes

The course aims to examine in depth the peculiarities of the urban greek culture, having special consideration for the characteristics of the urban patterns, the monumental complex and their evolution, as well as of the different civilization aspects developed within the poleis context from the Minoan and Mycenaean age up to the late Hellenistic period. Students will acquire knowledge of the basic aspects of the colonial greek western world, having some familiarity with in-depth analysis of specific subjects. These also concern the different figurative expressions and forms of the material culture, on the basis of the various modalities developed within the different historical and social contexts. At the end of the course students will have acquired solid skills in identifying source material and bibliography, and ability to deal with the covered themes with a critical approach, fundamental to be able to carry out research and archaeological activities on the field.

Course contents

The course programme analyses the genesis and evolution of the urban pattern within the greek ancient world. After some first examples from the Minoan and Mycenaean period, the attention will be reserved to the Greek cities founded in the Mediterranean basin: 
- The greek cities of Magna Graecia and Sicily 
- The greek cities in the western Mediterranean and the focean colonization (Massalia, Elea, etc.) 
- The greek cities of northern Africa (Cirene, Naukratis, etc.) 
- The greek cities of the Black Sea (Pontos Euxeinos) 
- Greeks in the Adriatic area

Readings/Bibliography

Preparing the examination is necessary the study of at least one of the following handbooks: 
- E. DE JULIIS, Magna Grecia. L'Italia meridionale dalle origini leggendarie alla conquista romana, Edipuglia 1996
- G.F. LA TORRE, Sicilia e Magna Grecia. Archeologia della colonizzazione greca d'Occidente, Laterza Bari 2011
- P. GUZZO, Fondazioni greche. L'Italia meridionale e la Sicilia (VIII e VII sec. a.C.), Carocci, Roma 2011

Further in depth analysis are also suggested:
- M. TORELLI, Dei e Artigiani. Archeologia delle colonie greche d'Occidente, Laterza, Bari 2011
- S. SETTIS, M.C. PARRA (a cura di), Magna Graecia. Archeologia di un sapere (Catalogo Mostra di Catanzaro 2005), Electa, Milano 2005
- E. GRECO, Magna Grecia (Guide Archeologiche Laterza), Bari 1980 con ristampe

- F. COARELLI, M. TORELLI, Sicilia (Guide Archeologiche Laterza), Bari 1984 con ristampe
- G. PUGLIESE CARRATELLI (a cura di), I Greci in Occidente (Catalogo della Mostra, Venezia 1996), Bompiani, Milano 1996
- M. OSANNA, Magna Grecia e Sicilia, in H. Von HESBERG, P. ZANKER, Storia dell'architettura italiana. 1. Architettura romna. Le città d'Italia, Milano 2012, pp. 268-295

Not attending students are invited to contact well in advance the professor in order to set a specific study programme.

Teaching methods

Since the particular setting of the course, all students are invited to attend the lessons.

Students who could not attend the lessons are invited to contact the teacher, in order to define alternative programs.

Assessment methods

Oral examination focusing on the program topics.

Teaching tools

The lectures will be supported by projection of images

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Lepore