The course is divided in two parts:
1) During the first part (Prof.S.Bianchetti) we will analyze the constitutional organisation of the Greek poleis with particular attention to the history of Athens, Sparta and of Greek federal states (Boeotia, Thessaly).
2)During the second part (Prof.A.Magnelli) the main constitutional systems of Greek poleis investigated by means of epigraphic documentation will be examined and compared.
PART I (Prof. S.Bianchetti)
D. Musti, Storia greca,Laterza, Roma-Bari 1989 D. Ambaglio, Storia della storiografia greca, Monduzzi, Bologna 2008.In the first part of the course will be read: Aristote, Athenian Constitution, 1-41; Ps.Xenophon, Athenian Constitution ( selected passages); Plutarch, Life of Lycurgos, Solon, Them., Pericles, Alcibiades, Lysander (selected passages); Hell.Oxy. ( selected passages).
PART II (Prof.A.Magnelli)
Selection of epigraphic texts chosen from:
R. Meiggs, D. Lewis, A Selection of Greek Historical Inscriptions to the End of the Fifth Century, Oxford University Press, 1969, rev. and 1988;
P. J. Rhodes, R. Osborne eds., Greek Historical Inscriptions 404-323 BC, Oxford 2003. Revised paperback edition, 2007, Oxford University Press.
Further teaching materials will be deposited in the moodle platform.
Learning Objectives
In accordance with the training objectives set out in the Declaratory of the course in Literature, the lessons will provide students with the competence in Greek from the archaic to the hellenistic age. Students will be acquire ability to orient themselves on the main problems of the Greek history, to develop autonomous and critical attitudes within historical and epigraphical issues. Reading greek, latin sources and epigraphical documents students will acquire a basic historical method, essential to a critical approach to the ancient world. Students will be invited to participate as actively as possible in the lessons to develop an indipendent thought, communicative ability in the exposition of problems and a debating ability.
Prerequisites
During the lessons Greek. Latin and Greek epigraphical texts will be read and translated: a good school education will facilitate the ability to learn historical texts. No classicist student can use translated texts.
Teaching Methods
Frontal lessons: the teacher will introduce different themes reading and discussing ancient sources and historiographical issues related to the interpretation of main historical problems. In coherence with the training objectives, the teacher will select issues of particular historical importance in order to solicit students' interest and increase their critical abilities. The lessons will be held with the help of computer technologies, powerpoint presentations, as well as distribution of handhouts and document files.
Further information
Regular and active attendance in the lessons is recommended in order to establish a profitable dialogue and resolve any doubts and uncertainties. Students are invited to meet the teacher at schueduled time (v. site) for any problem related to the course.
Attending course is obligatory for a minimum of two/thirds out of the tolal amount of hours.
Type of Assessment
The final exam will consist of a conversation with the teacher to ascertain the acquisition of knowledge and skills through an oral discussion on texts analyzed during the lessons. Through the study of recommended historical and epigraphical texts and related to different themes dealt, the student will demonstrate to have acquired the skills required for an universitary level of knowledge of Greek history. In particular, will be evaluated student's ability to contextualize and to analyze critically, through the ancient sources, some main events of the ancient Greek history.
Course program
Brief introduction to the study of Greek history and to the historical documentation.
Introduction to the history of the ancient constitutions, in particular to the Athenian and Spartan constitutions and to the federal organisations (Boetia and Thessaly).
Historical analysis of ancient texts: Aristotle, Athenian Constitution (1-41); Plutarch, Lycurgus’, Aristides' Themistocles, Nicia',Alcibiades', Lysander'Life; Senophon's Hellenika, Ps.Xen. Athen. Constitution.Aristoph. and Aesch., selected passages.
Analysis of aspects of federal constitutions (boeotian and thessalian federations, etc.) based on historical and epigraphic documentation.Modern interpretations on the ancient constitutional systems.
Reading and analysis of epigraphic texts in the context of other related documentation. Interpretations and modern debate on an Further teaching materials will be deposited in the moodle platform.