OVERVIEW

The course provides a methodological introduction and a specific in-depth study, in seminar form, of the main problems posed by the Greek historiographical production that has survived only in fragments, with particular reference to its use as a source for Greek history and without neglecting the comparison with historical works that have survived in full or in large part. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to promote the acquisition of the following skills, knowledge, and competences: - knowing, through the direct reading and analysis of the texts, the main authors of Greek historiography, and in particular being able to appropriately evaluate the contribution of the immense patrimony of fragmentary Greek historiography, whose authors and fragments are largely collected in the majestic work of Felix Jacoby (Die Fragmente der griechischen Historiker, Berlin-Leiden 1923-1958) and in its more recent continuations; - being able to conduct a critical exegesis of the Greek historical texts received in their entirety and, in relation to the fragmentary ones, being able to correctly evaluate both the interests and purposes of the sources, and the problems connected with tradition and the transmission of testimonies and fragments; - deepening, through the direct comparison of the surviving documentation (literary, epigraphic, archaeological, papyrological, etc.) and of the modern bibliography, specific moments and problems of the Greek historical tradition, from the origins to the Roman conquest, with particular attention to the use of a methodology appropriate to the historiographical investigation; -knowing how to evaluate the degree of reliability of information of historical interest provided by authors belonging to different literary genres (tragedy, comedy, oratory, biography, etc.) in critical comparison with the parallel documentation provided by the historiographical tradition, placing the individual testimonies in the correct context historical-cultural; - knowing how to orient themselves independently in the modern bibliography and be able to scientifically follow the updates through the use of research tools, both traditional and telematic.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the student will be able to

- know the main authors of Greek historiography and assess the contribution of fragmentary Greek historiography to historical research;

- conduct a critical exegesis of the Greek historical texts that have survived in their entirety and, in relation to the fragmentary ones, correctly address the problems connected with tradition and transmission through cover-texts

- deepen, through direct comparison of surviving documentation and modern bibliography, specific moments and problems of the Greek historical tradition;

- independently orient themselves in modern bibliography and be able to scientifically follow its updates through the use of research tools;

- autonomously handle the complexity of analysing fragmentary historical texts, particularly in the critical solicitation of the relationship with the cover text;

- communicate in written form, in an effective and personal manner, with appropriate language and argumentation, the critical analysis carried out on one or more fragments of a historian;

- confidently expound their own reflections and evaluations on the fact sheet through classroom discussion with the teacher and colleagues.

PREREQUISITES

The course requires a basic knowledge of Greek history, as indicated in the learning objectives for the teaching of Greek History for the three-year degree (cod.72626). Students who have not acquired the necessary skills during the three-year degree should contact the lecturer at a:francesca.gazzano@unige.it.
Another prerequisite is a good knowledge of the Greek language; skills in the disciplines taught within the course of study belonging to the sectors L-ANT/03 (Roman History); L-FIL-LET/02 (Greek Literature); L-FIL-LET/04 (Latin Literature); L-FIL-LET/05 (Classical Philology) L-FIL-LET/07 (Byzantine civilization) are also useful.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures, seminars, tutorials, Aulaweb. A written exercise is planned.

The course has a pronounced seminar structure, involving the active participation of students both in collective discussions on general problems and in individual lectures.

 Lessons will be held in presence. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. Only those who attend lessons in presence will be deemed attending students.

The teacher, upon specific request by single students, could allow them to access the recordings of the lessons via Teams.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The 'lost' history: aspects of fragmentary Greek historiography. The course will be divided into two parts; the first will consist of frontal lectures, by the lecturer, aimed at proposing a methodological introduction to the main problems of Greek historical production transmitted only in fragments; the second, lasting 10 hours, will be an in-depth exegetical study, by the lecturer and other lecturers and scholars, on specific authors, themes and problems. The third part will be seminar-based and will involve each student carrying out a written exercise, agreed with the lecturer, on individual historical fragments. The essays will then be discussed in the classroom.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Part I: See the Italian version 

Part II: Part II: bibliographical information on the individual fragmentary historians discussed will be provided in the course of the lectures.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FRANCESCA GAZZANO (President)

FRANCESCO CARRIERE

MARCO ENRICO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

20/02/2024

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written essay; oral interview. The written paper as a whole and its discussion during the oral interview contribute 50% to the overall assessment of the examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Written test: the in-depth study paper, on an agreed fragmentary historian with a bibliography provided by the lecturer, ascertains the acquisition of the correct methodology of investigation, as well as the ability to independently investigate the specific problems of fragmentary Greek historiography; the oral interview verifies the students' achievement of the teaching objectives.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students unable to attend are required to arrange the programme with the lecturer (francesca.gazzano@unige.it). All students enrolled in the course (attending and non-attending) are requested to register on Aulaweb.