LEARNING OUTCOMES

- Getting acquainted with alphabetical Greek writing, its peculiarities and its evolution (from Archaic Age through Classical Age and until Hellenistic-Roman Age);
- Acquiring a method to critically analyze different kinds of epigraphic sources;
- Knowing Greek civilization by reading and analyzing epigraphic texts related to institutional, political and social contexts;
- Being able to carry out specific bibliographical research by using traditional and electronic research instruments.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Eventually, students will be able to:

reach a good command of bibliographical research tools

identify the specific characteristics of Archaic Greek Alphabets and to trace their historical evolution

recognize the various kinds of epigraphical documents and to handle a simple classification

read by themselves brief Greek inscriptions in their original alphabet (on photographs and casts)

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lessons and lectures; practice essays; aulaweb. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Contents for students who are taking the 6-CFU course

This part of the course will provide a methodological introduction to the main aspects and issues of this discipline. Moreover, the following topics will be addressed: origin and evolution of Greek alphabet; examples of archaic Greek alphabets; numeral systems; types and formulae of public and private inscriptions Students will be provided with an anthology of epigraphic documents; during the course, students will read, translate and associate those documents with their historical context. Some lesson will be held by Dr. Simone Podestà and by M.me Dominique Lenfant (Université de Strasbourg), as Visiting Professor.
The nature of the subject itself requires the knowledge of Ancient Greek. Please remind that during the exam students will be asked to read and translate inscriptions that were studied in class.  Regular attendance is recommended; students who cannot attend classes are kindly asked to contact the professor in order to agree upon an alternative program.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Recommended readings:
M. GUARDUCCI, L’epigrafia greca dalle origini al tardo impero, Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato, Roma 1987. 
Also: M.L. LAZZARINI, La scrittura nella città: iscrizioni, archivi, alfabetizzazione, in I Greci. Storia Cultura Arte Società (a cura di S. SETTIS), Einaudi, Torino 1997, II/2, pp. 725-750.
The inscriptions that will be discussed are collected in: "Iscrizioni greche", a cura di S. de Vido, (Roma, Carocci Editore, 2018), nell'ambito del progetto "AXON. Per una silloge italiana di iscrizioni storiche greche" dell'Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia.

Instructions on the use of this bibliography will be given during the lessons.