29714 - Roman Historiography (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

The student at the end of the course knows the development of historiography in Greek and Roman antiquity from its Latin origins to the late Roman Empire. He knows the heuristic techniques and edition of historical sources of textual character, able to apply critical analysis methodologies. He Can communicate in oral form by choosing the appropriate registers, and can also know documenting methodologies and used in the historical narrative historiographical approaches.

Course contents

The course will be divided into two modules, each concluded by monographs topics. After a first introductory lesson and general nature, they will cover issues such as the birth of historiography and the first and second annals. It then addresses the particular issue is viewed from the Roman imperialism of authors such as Sallust Livius Tacitus and others.Ample space will be devoted to the historiography of the Early Roman empire, and the differences of general historiography, such as monographs and biographies (Tacitus and Suetonius). A first study will focus on the historiography on Claudius, Domitianus, Marcus Aurelius, Antoninus Pius.In the second part of the course will cover more specific topics of critical historiography, from the third century historiography (events; modern criticism and contemporary and the the Panegyrics). In particular, the Roman history from sources such as Ammianus Marcellinus, the Breviaria, Lactantius, Orosius.The deepening of space will be devoted to the Historia Augusta and Ammianus. In particular, it will address the theme of the lessicology: the topic will be humanitas, pietas, clementia, benevolentia and iustitia from authors of the fourth cent. A.D. (and authors of the second and third cent. A.D.)

 

 

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS

_Manca-Rohr Vio, Introduzione alla storiografia romana,Carrocci 2016

OR

G. Zecchini, Storia della storiografia romana, Laterza 2016

and material from lessons

NON ATTENDiNG STUDENTS:Please contact the teacher

Textbook: G. Zecchini, Storia della storiografia romana, Laterza 2016

and text on guide web online (5 pdf chosen in agreement with the teacher)

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.

Teaching and source materials will be distributed in advance to foster discussion in class, comparing different interpretations.
Students can agree also on additional texts to be analyzed.

Assessment methods

Oral exam. The examination consists of an assessment of the knowledge acquired during the course through the comments of a few texts chosen from all those in the program and educational materials and the verification of the ability to concisely and critically expose the topics addressed at the base of the contents of exam bibliography and provided educational materials.

No translation from the original text is required, but a basic knowledge of Greek and Latin is recommended.
The interview will have to emerge a solid basic knowledge of the discipline.

The assessment will therefore be based on:
- Ability to comment on the text, which is the ability to identify, date and contextualize the step or steps of ancient authors;
- Mastery of content;
- Synthesis and analysis of issues and problems;
- Ability to express themselves adequately and with language appropriate to the subject matter.

The achievement by the student the ability to comment comprehensively the steps and to express an organic vision of the topics discussed in class with a good mastery of expression and specific language will be evaluated with marks of excellence. A mnemonic knowledge of matter, together with capacity of synthesis and analysis articulated in a proper language, but not always appropriate, lead to discrete evaluations. training gaps and / or inappropriate language - albeit in a context of minimal knowledge of exam material - will lead to votes that will not exceed sufficiency. training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials offered during the course will be evaluated negatively.

Teaching tools

Photocopies, slides, text in the original language and in translation; pdf of modern historiography and contemporary contributions. The lectures will be supported by power point presentations. The teaching material presented in class will be made available to students (upon request, for not attending).

Office hours

See the website of Beatrice Girotti