OVERVIEW

The course offers an introductory survey of Greek History, with particular attention to historical development (both diachronic and synchronic), the principal related issues (political and military aspects, institutions, society), and research methodologies. Within the framework of the course, special emphasis will be placed—through historical reflection on a civilization that exerted a fundamental influence on the development of modern European thought—on the problem of political leadership and its literary representation. The themes of social inequality and gender disparity in the polis will also be addressed.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

To have a basic knowledge of the general outlines of the history of the ancient Greek world and the foundations of its civilization, from its origins to the Hellenistic period; to acquire the methodology necessary for understanding Greek antiquity in its specificity (political, economic, social, religious) and its relations with other Mediterranean cultures; to use the tools necessary for developing critical skills in the evaluation of ancient texts in a historical perspective, also with reference to modern reinterpretations; to be able to orient themselves in bibliographical research and how it is updated.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students will:

• acquire a foundational knowledge of the events of the Greek world and of the relations maintained by the Greeks with non-Hellenic populations within a broad spatial and chronological framework;
• possess the methodological skills necessary to approach the documentary basis of Greek history;
• be able to critically assess information derived from different categories of sources (literary, archaeological, epigraphic) and employ them for the purposes of historical reconstruction;
• develop the ability to reflect critically on central aspects of Greek civilisation (political leadership, social inequality, gender disparity), both in the context of ancient historical reality and in terms of their reception within modern political thought;
• recognise the distinctive features of Greek political institutions in their historical development;
• be able to elaborate an individual strategy of learning and self-assessment through guided independent study of the course manual;
• be capable of communicating their ideas effectively in written form, integrating and reworking information drawn from sources of different kinds (ancient literary sources, modern scholarship, including works in foreign languages, and online databases), while adopting terminology and style appropriate to the academic context and developing critical thinking and argumentative skills (for students undertaking the written assignment). 

PREREQUISITES

The course does not require prior knowledge of Ancient Greek; however, it presupposes the ability to study the course manual independently (specific lessons devoted to this aspect will be provided).

TEACHING METHODS

Teaching activities take place in person. Attendance, while not compulsory, is strongly recommended. Students attending classes will be considered attending students.

Upon specific request by individual students, the instructor will make lecture recordings available via the Teams platform.

Depending on enrolment numbers, an optional mid-term written examination reserved for attending students may be scheduled (see assessment methods below).

An optional written assignment is also envisaged; its discussion will form an integral part of the oral examination. Methodological preparation for the assignment will be provided by the instructor through dedicated classes enabling students to organize their individual work on the basis of preliminary group discussions.

Students enrolled in the course are requested to register on the AulaWeb course page.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Methodology, sources, and geography of ancient Greece; periodization; the principal historical events of the Greek world from the second millennium BCE to the Hellenistic period; Greek political institutions.

The course provides both a general introduction to the discipline—methodological issues, use of sources, and orientation among research tools—and an overview of the most significant political and social processes and phenomena in the development of Greek civilization from its origins to the fall of Corinth. Particular attention will be devoted to the theme of political leadership between history and literature through two specific course modules: “Politics and Personal Leadership in the Greek Polis” (6 hours), offered as supplementary teaching by Dr Vittorio Maria Coraducci; and “Writing History through Lives: Plutarch and the Art of Biography” (6 hours), offered as supplementary teaching by Prof. Marco Enrico.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Required for All Students

One textbook chosen from the following:

1. C. BEARZOT, Manuale di storia greca, Bologna, Il Mulino 2011 (and subsequent editions).
2. M. BETTALLI, A.L. D’AGATA, A. MAGNETTO, Storia greca, Rome, Carocci 2013.

Optional study aid:

F. CORDANO, P. SCHIRRIPA, Le parole chiave della storia greca, Rome, Carocci, 2015 (2nd ed.).

One reading chosen from the following:

1. M. CANEVARO, L'Atene dei diritti, Bari-Rome, Laterza 2026.
2. M. LUPI, Sparta. Storia e rappresentazioni di una città greca, Rome, Carocci 2017.
3. M. BETTALLI, Alcibiade e la democrazia ateniese, Rome, Carocci 2025.
4. O. COLORU, Il regno del più forte. La lunga contesa per l'Impero di Alessandro Magno (IV-III sec. A.C.), Rome, Salerno Editrice, 2022.
5. S. TUFANO, Epaminonda di Tebe. Vita e sconfitte di un politico di successo, Milan, LED Edizioni Universitarie, 2023 (OA).
6. V. AZOULAY, Pericle. La democrazia ateniese alla prova di un grand'uomo, Turin, Einaudi 2017.
7. G. SQUILLACE, Filippo il Macedone, Bari-Rome, Laterza, 2023.
8. R. LANE FOX, Alexander the Great, London, Penguin Books, 2004 (in English).
9. A. MOMIGLIANO, The Development of Greek Biography: Expanded Edition, Harvard University Press, 1993 (in English).

Non-attending Students

In addition to the texts listed above:

G. DAVERIO ROCCHI, Il mondo dei Greci, Pearson 2020 (new edition).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

First semester. Classes will begin during the week of 14 September 2026 (from 15 September onward).

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Mid-term written examination (reserved for attending students, at the end of the teaching period, tentatively between late November and December 2026: see AulaWeb).

Oral examination (including discussion of the optional written assignment), aimed at assessing the level of knowledge and competences acquired both in relation to topics covered during classes and through individual study. 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Optional Written Assignment

The in-depth written paper, on a topic agreed upon with the instructor and based on an initial bibliography provided by her, is intended to assess both the acquisition of correct research methodology and knowledge of a specific topic in Greek history, as well as the ability to navigate ancient sources and modern scholarship.

Mid-term Written Examination

Optional and reserved for attending students. Through a series of open- and closed-ended questions, together with a blank map, the examination assesses knowledge of the events of Greek history from its origins to the Roman conquest (146 BCE). Students who pass the examination will be exempt from part (a) of the oral examination.

Oral Examination

The oral examination assesses:
a) knowledge of the events of Greek history;
b) the level of understanding of the issues and texts discussed during classes;
c) comprehension of the selected readings.

The minimum passing threshold is achieved when students demonstrate a basic knowledge of the events, protagonists, and historical-geographical contexts of Greek history, considered in their chronological development, together with a level of methodological competence sufficient to orient themselves in the evaluation of documentary evidence.

The highest level of achievement is attained when students demonstrate extensive knowledge of the events, protagonists, and historical-geographical contexts of Greek history, understood in both their synchronic and diachronic development and in the dynamics of cause and consequence, together with methodological competence enabling them to evaluate documentary evidence critically.

For any further clarification, students should contact the instructor by email (francesca.gazzano@unige.it).

FURTHER INFORMATION

All students enrolled on the course, whether attending or not, are strongly encouraged to register on Aulaweb, which will serve as an essential platform for teaching and learning. Lectures will take place in person.

Students with disabilities or specific learning difficulties (SLD) can find information on how to request services, compensatory tools or special arrangements, and specific aids in the document available at the following link: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/modulistica

Passing the exam allows you to acquire the following open badges:

PRO3 - Soft skills - Basic literacy 1 - A

PRO3 - Soft skills - Basic personal skills 1 - A

PRO3 - Soft skills - Basic learning to learn 1 - A