OVERVIEW

The course aims at providing fundamental notions concerning the study of the history and cultures of the ancient Near East in the Preclassic period through the study of the main historical phases, the scriptures, and the sources for historical reconstruction.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course intends in particular to deepen some specific aspects of the history of the Near East from the prehistory to the first millennium BC., and to provide students with fundamental knowledge on the periodization, languages, scriptures, political history, economy and society of ancient Near Eastern civilizations.

PREREQUISITES

None.

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lecture.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The introductory part of the course includes an overview about the of the ancient Near Eastern civilizations, and the origins and development of historical-archaeological research in the region. The geographical, chronological and historical framework, the scriptures and languages of the ancient Near East will be subsequently presented and examined.

Content for students who are taking the 6 CFU course:

Introduction to the history of the ancient Near East

Content for students who are taking the 9 CFU course:

– Introduction to the history of the ancient Near East

– The circulation of goods, people, ideas in the ancient Near East during the Late Bronze Age, the age of international relations

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for attending students of the 9 CFU course:

– L. Milano (ed.), Il Vicino Oriente dalle origini a Alessandro Magno, Encyclomedia Publishers, Milano, 2012.

– M. Liverani, Guerra e diplomazia nell’antico Oriente, 1600-1100 a.C., Laterza, Roma-Bari, 1994: “Introduzione”, “III. Circolazione dei beni”.

Bibliography for non-attending students of the 9 CFU course:

– L. Milano (ed.), Il Vicino Oriente dalle origini a Alessandro Magno, Encyclomedia Publishers, Milano, 2012.

– M. Liverani, Guerra e diplomazia nell’antico Oriente, 1600-1100 a.C., Laterza, Roma-Bari, 1994: “Introduzione”, “III. Circolazione dei beni”.

– M. Jursa, I Babilonesi, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2007

Bibliography for attending students of the 6 CFU course:

L. Milano (ed.), Il Vicino Oriente dalle origini a Alessandro Magno, Encyclomedia Publishers, Milano, 2012.

Bibliography for non-attending students of the 6 CFU course:

– L. Milano (ed.), Il Vicino Oriente dalle origini a Alessandro Magno, Encyclomedia Publishers, Milano, 2012.

– M. Jursa, I Babilonesi, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2007.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA ELENA BALZA (President)

MARIA FEDERICA PETRACCIA

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The course will take place during the second semester. Lessons will start February, 12th 2019

Class schedule

HYSTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral exam will be about the topics covered by the course (course notes and specific readings). Minimum ‘pass’ requirements are: good understanding of the environmental, historical and cultural dynamics of the ancient Near East during the Preclassical period; ability to contextualize topics and to present them in a clear, well-reasoned way by taking into consideration the features and issues of the available documentation. Requirements for 'Excellence' are: proven ability to provide a critical analysis of sources, historical processes and historical issues related to different areas and periods. The final grade will take into account the accuracy of the answers (up to 80%), but also the student’s ability to present the topics accurately using an appropriate vocabulary (up to 20%).

Exam schedule