Roman History (with Epigraphy Practice) 2023/2024

Roman history (with practical lessons on Roman epigraphy)

2023-2024 - Mod. A  Laurea triennale

Prerequisites:

Fluency in the Italian language. Although familiarity with Latin and Greek is not required, the relevant sources will be analyzed in their original language.

Aims:

1. Educational objectives: Understanding of the historical processes and of the political, social and economic dynamics.

2. Expected results: In line with the educational objectives of the Study Program stated in the SUA-CdS (sections A.4.b.2, A.4.c), the training activity aims to provide the student with the following knowledge and skills:

Knowledge and understanding of a selection of literary sources and epigraphical documents pertinent to relevant themes of Roman history and of the fundamental events and developments of the Roman history of the monarchical and republican period.

Applying knowledge and understanding to the political, social, economic and cultural dynamics of the Roman history.

Making autonomous judgements in the critically evaluation of the historical phenomena.  

Communication skills: Mastering the appropriate language for an accurate description of the historical phenomena.

Program:

      Themes of Roman history from the beginnings up to the end of the Republic (Mod. A)

Through the reading and analysis of a selection of ancient historiographical texts and epigraphical documents and relevant archaeological evidence, the course aims to present the major themes of the Roman history of the monarchical and republican period. In particular: the evolution of the political forms, of the society and economy of the city of Rome from the archaic age down to the end of the republic; Rome’s expansion in Italy and the formation of its Mediterranean empire. The practical lessons on Roman epigraphy aim also to make the student familiar with the basic peculiarity of epigraphical writing.

Teaching methods:

Lectures, seminars, practical lessons, textbook study. 

Methods and criteria for verification of learning outcomes:

An interview will verify the learning outcomes. The student may be asked to illustrate the historical relevance of some document discussed during the course. Furthermore, on the basis of the contents of the recommended handbooks, he/she may be asked to outline the contexts and circumstances of key moments of Roman history of the monarchical and republican period, and to describe the social formations, the institutional, economic and administrative structures as well as the great transformations of the Roman world. Evidence of language aptitude and independent critical evaluation will be graded very positively. Conversely, the repeated use of improper expressions and/or serious errors in locating characters and events on the spatio-temporal coordinates will lead to failing grades.

In detail, the marks will be expressed according to this orientation scheme:  - EXCELLENT (28-30): excellent ability to present and critical analysis of the texts of the texts addressed in class; excellent orientation skills in the topics addressed in class; excellent ability to use the specialized terminology of the discipline. - DISCREET (24-27): fair knowledge of the subject and of the texts dealt with in class; good synthesis and analysis skills; good ability to express and use the specialized terminology of the discipline. - SUFFICIENT (18-23): minimal knowledge of the exam material; limited capacity for synthesis and analysis; poor ability to use the specialized terminology of the discipline  - NEGATIVE (exam not passed): Lack of knowledge of the exam material and / or serious errors in understanding and displaying the contents; inability to summarize the main arguments; lack of knowledge of the specialized terminology of the discipline.

Recommended textbooks, either

G. Cresci Marrone, F. Rohr Vio, L. Calvelli, Roma antica. Storia e documenti.

or

G. Geraci, A. Marcone, Storia romana

For training in Latin epigraphy we will use

H. Dessau, Inscriptiones Latinae Selectae,

available online

Classes in presence, but attendance by remote possible.

Attendance

           Mandatory

Roman History (with training in Roman Epigraphy) (Mod. B)

Academic Year 2023/2024

The Roman Empire from Augustus to AD 476.

·   Learning outcomes: The course aims to inform the student about some key issues of the history of the Roman Empire. The administration of the Roman Empire, its social hierarchies, its urban life, the evolution of its economy and of its religious and cultural life, its relations with the external world. Training on Roman epigraphy aims also to make the student familiar with some peculiarities of the epigraphic writing.

·   Knowledge and understanding: The student will be able to appreciate and understand the historical significance of a selection of ancient texts and archaeological data.

·   Applying knowledge and understanding: The hermeneutic skills acquired while interpreting the ancient evidence will enhance the student’s ability in understanding political debates, social dynamics and economic realities.

·       Making judgments: The personal critical analysis of the evidence will lead the student to form his/her own views on the grand themes of the Roman history.

·       Communication skills: Explaining the historical processes will enhance the student’s linguistic skills in describing and discussing political, social, economic, cultural themes.

Prerequisites

Very good knowledge of the Italian language; understanding of the historical processes and of the political, social, economic dynamics. Although knowledge of Greek and Latin is not required, the ancient texts will be analyzed in the language they have been written.

Assessment

            Oral exams

The student will be asked to describe the historical significance of the texts explained in class. Furthermore, he will outline contexts and circumstances of Roman history topic turning points, describe the main components of Roman society, the economic and administrative structures as well as the grand transformations across the centuries. Accuracy of language, proper use of technical terms and ability of autonomous critical evaluation will be highly appreciated. On the contrary, improper language and failure in fixing figures and events in the spatial-temporal coordinates will lead to insufficient grades.

In detail, the marks will be expressed according to this orientation scheme:  - EXCELLENT (28-30): excellent ability to present and critical analysis of the texts of the texts addressed in class; excellent orientation skills in the topics addressed in class; excellent ability to use the specialized terminology of the discipline. - DISCREET (24-27): fair knowledge of the subject and of the texts dealt with in class; good synthesis and analysis skills; good ability to express and use the specialized terminology of the discipline. - SUFFICIENT (18-23): minimal knowledge of the exam material; limited capacity for synthesis and analysis; poor ability to use the specialized terminology of the discipline  - NEGATIVE (exam not passed): Lack of knowledge of the exam material and / or serious errors in understanding and displaying the contents; inability to summarize the main arguments; lack of knowledge of the specialized terminology of the discipline.

Recommended textbooks

S. Mazzarino, L’impero romano, voll. I-II.

H. Dessau, Inscriptiones Latinae Selectae.

Res Gestae Divi Augusti(ed. J. Scheid)

Attendance

Mandatory, in presence or by remote