B027572 - HISTORY OF THE LATE ANTIQUITY

Italian

The course is divided into two parts.
The first one will provide the students with approaches to a field of study, that of late antiquity, which must be studied with perspectives and methodologies specific with regard to institutional, social and religious history.
The second part is an introduction to Latin epigraphy and its use as an instrument of historical investigation, with reference to the Roman world

First part (Late Antiquity):
H. Brandt, L'epoca tardoantica, Il Mulino, Bologna 2005
P.Heather, La caduta dell'impero romano, Garzanti, Milano 2006 (o ed. successive).
Or, alternatively to Heather's book: E. James, I barbari, Il Mulino, Bologna 2011
Second Part (Epigraphy and Roman History):
A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina, Carocci, Roma 2009
oppure in alternativa
S. Giorcelli Bersani, Epigrafia e storia di Roma, Carocci, Roma ed. 2015.

To these readings will have to be added sources read and commented in the classroom.

A tali saggi saranno da aggiungere le fonti lette e commentate in classe.

I MOD.
Following the training objectives and the scientific and didactic part of the declaratory of the course in Literature Philology and History of Antiquity, the lessons will provide students with the ability to orient themselves on the main institutions and society of late-antique history, to develop autonomous and critical attitudes within historical and historiographical issues, and also a method and interpretation ability to analyse the sources studied in the classroom.

For the first part, the course is primarily intended for students of philology, literature and history of antiquity. It requires a good basic knowledge of Roman history, and in particular of the history of the Roman Empire from Augustus to the death of Theodosius the Great (late IV century AD). It should ve useful that students attending the course refresh such previous knowledge.
For the second part, knowledge of Latin is required.

For the first part, the teacher intends to develop, in coherence with the specific training objectives, students' critical ability in the analysis of sources, to discuss the main lines of the historiographical debate, an in-depth knowledge of relevant aspects of late antiquity. Lessons will be held with the help of computer technologies, power point presentations, and distribution of handouts. Part of the materials and documents will be made available using the emoodle platform. Lessons while retaining the nature of frontal lessons will encourage discussions in the classroom and will also have a seminar character.
For the second part, the teacher will essentially use powerpoint presentations. After a series of introductory front lessons, students will be invited to participate as actively as possible in the lessons. At least one visit to museum monuments or epigraph collections is planned for a more direct contact with the materials and monumental contexts within which the inscriptions were placed

Regular and active attendance is strongly recommended. Students are strongly encouraged to submit all the relevant questions in order to establish a profitable dialogue and resolve any doubts and uncertainties.

The final exam is an oral exam.
I PART
It will consist of a conversation with the teacher to ascertain whether and how the student, qualitatively corresponding to the progress of his studies (at the level of master), has acquired the ability to use the knowledges and if he demonstrates communicative abilities in the exposition of problems, events and methods of Late Roman History. A check will also be done on the readings requested. Particular attention will be given to the student's ability to contextualize space-time coordinates and to critically analyze general aspects, or the more specific aspects and sources dealt with.
II PART
Oral exam. Checking examination of what has been explained by the teacher in the classroom, read sources, methods, and general considerations on latin epigraphy and its use from an historical-archaeological point of view. During the exam the candidate might be asked to do e simple proof of transcription with the use of diacritical symbols taught in class and described in the handbook

PART I- LATE ANTIQUITY
Preliminary considerations on the notion of late antiquity. Review of the major institutional and political developments from IV to VI century, in the West and East. After these lessons useful to provide the general conceptual and historical framework, the in-depth studies will focus on the relationship between religion and society, with particular regard to the V and VI centuries and the impact of Germanic migrations on the process of Christianization and the evolution of paganism in its residual and new forms as imported from barbarians into the West. It is foreseen to read sources of different nature depending on the topics dealt with but a particular attention will be given to authors such as Gregory of Tours, to some lifes of saints of particular historical value, to the canons of ecclesiastical councils.
PART II-EPIGRAFIA AND ROMAN HISTORY
The lessons will cover the following topics: definition of epigraphy and epigraphy as a communication tool; review of the main epigraphic collections, from CIL to AE; computer tools and epigraphic databases; classification of epigraphs (sacred, funerary, honorary, public works, etc.); transcription and filing methods; analysis of a dossier of inscriptions of historical interest