The course treats the basis of Greek history with particular attention to historical evolution (diachronic and synchronic), the main related issues (political-military aspects, institutions, society, religion and economy) and research methodologies; specific attention is reserved to historiography, historical geography and epigraphy. The course does not require a knowledge of Greek but implies a capacity to study manuals and texts autonomously.
Having a basic knowledge of the historical development of the Greek world, the main events from the Bronze age to the Hellenistic-Roman era, and the fundamentals of its civilisation, in the context of the ancient history of the Mediterranean world; - attaining necessary methodological competencies and techniques for approaching the documentary bases of Greek history with particular reference to literary and epigraphical texts and without neglecting archeological accounts and the contribution of documentary science (papyrology, numismatics etc.); - knowing how to carry out bibliographical research and knowing the modalities of its updating by using both traditional and telematic research tools; - recognising the essential characteristics - political, economic, social, religious - of the Hellenistic world and the main evolutionary lines of Greek political institutions in a diachronic and synchronic sense by analysing surviving documents; - knowing the lines of development of Greek historiography and the works of the main authors of historical works by reading, interpreting and commenting texts; - knowing how to evaluate historical information taken from authors of different literary genres (historiography, tragedy, comedy, oratory, biography etc.) and place witness accounts in their historical-cultural context
The knowledge of the ancient Greek language is not requested. Students must be able to read and study the handbooks by themselves.
Lectures, seminars and Aulaweb
Programme for students taking the course for 6 cfu
General part: Method, sources, geography of ancient Greek; general bibliography. Greek historiography. Greek political institutions.
The course gives a general introduction to the discipline - main problems of method, use of sources, orientation among research tools -, elements of Greek historiographical production and a profile of Greek political institutions from the origins to the 4th century BC. The historical geography of the Greek world will be the subject of a specific segment of the course (10 hours), developed as additional teaching by Marco Enrico.
A written exercise (which is not obligatory) is envisaged and must be agreed upon with teaching staff before the oral exam.
For information on the written assignment and any other clarifications, students who do not attend must contact teaching staff by email (francesca.gazzano@unige.it).
Programme for students taking the course for 9 cfu
Second part: Politics, scandals and propaganda: the year 415 B.C.
This part of the course will be devoted to a close reading of the literary sources (e.g. Thucydides, Andocides, Diodorus, Plutarch) who described the political and military evolution which culminated in the events that shook Athens in 415 B.C., from the decision to attack Syracuse to the religious scandals and the struggle among the political leaders of the day. Some lessons, in form of seminars, will see the involvement of external teachers, of experts and of PhD students.
Bibliographical references are in the Italian version of the programme.
Ricevimento: I semester: Wednesday 11-13, Thursday 11-12; by appointment via e-mail: francesca.gazzano@unige.it (DIRAAS,sez.STORIA ANTICA, V.Balbi 4, I p.).
FRANCESCA GAZZANO (President)
PIA CAROLLA
OMAR COLORU
MARCO ENRICO
VALTER LAPINI
SIMONE PODESTA'
GREEK HISTORY
Written test (optional): analysis of a theme agreed with a bibliography supplied by teaching staff, the acquisition of a correct enquiry methodology and knowledge of a specific topic of Greek history as well as the ability to move between ancient sources and modern bibliography will be assessed.
Oral exam: it examines the basic knowledge of events of Greek history and relative historiography as well the level of knowledge of issues and texts discussed in lectures
