OVERVIEW

The course aims to provide basic knowledge related to the study of the history and cultures of the Ancient Near East in the pre-classical period (including Egypt, Persia and the Phoenician expansion into the Mediterranean) through the presentation and analysis of the main historical and cultural phases, scriptures, and sources essential for historical reconstruction. Issues related to the problems of social inequality and gender inequality will also be addressed.

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

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 attend lessons remotely and to access the recordings of the lessons via Teams.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Content for students who are taking the 6 CFU course:

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 (including Egypt, Persia and the Phoenician expansion into the Mediterranean) will be subsequently presented and examined. Issues related to the problems of social inequality and gender inequality will also be addressed.

Content for students who are taking the 9 CFU course:

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 (including Egypt, Persia and the Phoenician expansion into the Mediterranean) will be subsequently presented and examined. Issues related to the problems of social inequality and gender inequality will also be addressed.

Religions of the Ancient Near East

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

A) Bibliography for attending students of the 6 CFU course:

M. Liverani, Antico Oriente. Storia società economia, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2011 (Chapters: IV-X; XII-XV; XVII-XVIII; XX-XXII; XXVI-XXVII; XXXI).

also recommended

- Federico Giusfredi,Il Vicino Oriente antico. Breve storia dalle origini alla caduta di Babilonia, Carocci, Roma, 2020

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

M. Liverani, Antico Oriente. Storia società economia, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2011 (Chapters: IV-X; XII-XV; XVII-XVIII; XX-XXII; XXVI-XXVII; XXXI).

also recommended

- Federico Giusfredi,Il Vicino Oriente antico. Breve storia dalle origini alla caduta di Babilonia, Carocci, Roma, 2020

ne of the following readings, at the choice of the students:

- Salima Ikram, Antico Egitto, Kemet Editore, Torino

- Joseph Wiesehofer, La Persia antica, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2003

- Corinne Bonnet, Elodie Guillon, Fabio Porzia, La civiltà dei Fenici, Carocci, Roma, 2020

C)Bibliography for attending students of the 9 CFU course:

– M. Liverani, Antico Oriente. Storia società economia, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2011 (Chapters. IV-X; XII-XV; XVII-XVIII; XX-XXII; XXVI-XXVII; XXXI)

- Paolo Xella, Religione e religioni in Siria-Palestina, Carocci, Roma, 2007

also recommended

- Federico Giusfredi,Il Vicino Oriente antico. Breve storia dalle origini alla caduta di Babilonia, Carocci, Roma, 2020

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

– M. Liverani, Antico Oriente. Storia società economia, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2011 (Capp. IV-X; XII-XV; XVII-XVIII; XX-XXII; XXVI-XXVII; XXXI)

- Paolo Xella, Religione e religioni in Siria-Palestina, Carocci, Roma, 2007

also recommended

- Federico Giusfredi,Il Vicino Oriente antico. Breve storia dalle origini alla caduta di Babilonia, Carocci, Roma, 2020

One of the following readings, at the choice of the students:

- Salima Ikram, Antico Egitto, Kemet Editore, Torino

- Joseph Wiesehofer, La Persia antica, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2003

- Corinne Bonnet, Elodie Guillon, Fabio Porzia, La civiltà dei Fenici, Carocci, Roma, 202

LESSONS

LESSONS START

16/09/2023

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

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%).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students with a certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact the lecturer at the beginning of the course to agree on teaching and examination methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take into account individual learning modes and provide suitable compensatory tools