The course focuses on the history of Mesopotamia, Anatolia and the Syrian-Palestinian area in the pre-classical period. Students will acquire competences to understand historical and political aspects, socio-economic dynamics as well as the cultural and religious context.
Mastering the fundamental notions of the history of the ancient Near East: periodization, civilizations, languages, cultures, writings, political history, economy and society. Having a basic knowledge of the Akkadian language and of its sources.
Contents for students who are taking the 6-CFU course
Introduction to the history of ancient Near East
Contents for students who are taking the 9-CFU course
Introduction to Akkadian language
Introduction to Akkadian text production of Near-East civilizations.
Bibliography for attending students – 9 cfu course
L. Milano (a cura di), Il Vicino Oriente antico dalle origini ad Alessandro Magno, Milano 2012 (EM Publishers).
Recommended bibliography for the study of Akkadian:
R. Caplice, Introduction to Akkadian. Fourth edition (Revised reprint of third edition), Roma 2002, (Pontificio Istituto Biblico).
F. D’Agostino, M. S. Cingolo, La lingua di Babilonia, Milano 2016 (Hoepli).
Bibliography for non-attending students – 9 cfu course
M. Liverani, Immaginare Babele. Due secoli di studi sulla città orientale antica, Bari 2013 (Laterza); Chapters III, IV and V.
M. Jursa, I Babilonesi, Bologna 2007 (Il Mulino).
Bibliography for 6 cfu course
Ricevimento: For students: (By appointment) Thursday 2-4 PM, DAFIST (via Balbi 6, 4th floor) For graduating students: (By appointment) Thursday 2-4 PM, DAFIST (via Balbi 6, 4th floor)
MAURIZIO VIANO (President)
MARIA ELENA BALZA
MARIA FEDERICA PETRACCIA
HYSTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST
Oral exam
Students must prove their knowledge of the topics covered by both the course and its bibliography. Assessment includes students' grasp of the subject, their ability to use terminology, their command of methodology and their oral expression abilities. Assessment supports include written sources, maps and images. Students' knowledge of Akkadian will be tested through readings, translations and contextualization of texts, as part of the oral exam.
