OVERVIEW

Module 1 is an introduction to the subject, which presents the evolution of writing in Ancient Greece. Students' active participation is required, especially for reading texts such as public and private inscriptions form the 8th century B.C. to Roman Age. The course will provide a historical interpretation of inscriptions; this will enable students to understand the role of epigraphy in the study and reconstruction of Greek civilization.

AIMS AND CONTENT

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

At the end of the course, the students will be able to:

- orientate themselves in the specific bibliography and epigraphic corpora, through both traditional and online research tools
- recognize the specificities of the Greek alphabets of the Archaic period and identify their historical evolution
- recognize the typologies of Greek epigraphic documentation and undertake an initial classification
- read short epigraphic texts in Greek autonomously 
- handle the complexity of analyzing fragmentary and punctual texts, tracing them back to the appropriate historic context 
- communicate in written form, effectively and personally, with appropriate language and argumentation, the critical analysis carried out on an epigraphic document 
- confidently expound one's own reflections and evaluations regarding the inscription studied through discussion in the classroom with the lecturer and colleagues

PREREQUISITES

A knowledge, even basic, of ancient greek is necessary

TEACHING METHODS

Traditional lessons and lectures; practice essays; aulaweb. 

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

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 As part of her teaching support activities, Dr. Marta Pestarino will hold a 4-hour module on Aegean writing systems of the 2nd millennium BCE. 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. In this part of the course, particular attention will be paid to texts concerning the status of women and social inequality.
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.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

FRANCESCA GAZZANO (President)

VALTER LAPINI

ELENA CIMAROSTI (President Substitute)

PIA CAROLLA (Substitute)

VALENTINA PESTARINO (Substitute)

VIVIANA PETTIROSSI (Substitute)

SIMONE PODESTA' (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

II semester: 18th February 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral interview, including the discussion of a written essay on a previously assigned epigraphic text: the written essay and its oral discussion together contribute 40% to determining the overall assessment of the examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Oral exam

Assessment Methods

Oral interview: ascertains the acquisition of the basic methodology for the analysis of epigraphic texts, as well as knowledge of both the main forms of Greek writing and the main categories of epigraphic documents, especially of a public and institutional nature, and the bibliographical tools for research and updating.

The oral discussion of the written essay verifies the acquisition of the general theoretical principles when applied to the specific case (individual inscription, public or private, of historical, economic, social or cultural interest)

The sufficiency threshold is achieved, concerning the topics to be assessed, if: 1. one demonstrates a basic knowledge of the evolution over time of the writing forms of the Greek language in the various historical-geographical contexts; 2. one demonstrates the ability to recognize the specificities of the different types of epigraphic texts; 3. one achieves a level of methodological competence sufficient to orient oneself in the reading and translation of the inscriptions presented and discussed in the classroom; 4. one communicates in written form, with sufficient appropriateness of language and method, the results of the study of an epigraphic document. The threshold of excellence is achieved, in relation to the topics being assessed, if: 1. one demonstrates accurate knowledge of the writing forms of the Greek language over time and in different historical-geographical contexts; 2. one can recognize and discuss the specificities of the different types of epigraphic texts; 3. one achieves a level of methodological skills such that one can read, translate and comment appropriately on the inscriptions presented and discussed in the classroom; 4. one communicates in written form, with language property, methodological mastery and critical analysis skills, the results of the study of an epigraphic document.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) may consult the guidelines for requesting services, compensatory and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids at the following link: https://unige.it/sites/unige.it/files/2024-05/Linee%20guida%20per%20la%20richiesta%20di%20servizi%2C%20di%20strumenti%20compensativi%20e_o%20di%20misure%20dispensative%20e%20di%20ausili%20specifici%20Maggio%202024.pdf.

The successful completion of the examination enables the acquisition of the following Open Badges:

PRO3 - Soft skills - Alfabetica avanzato 1 - A

PRO3 - Soft skills - Personale avanzato 1 - A

PRO3 - Soft skills - Imparare a imparare base 1 - A