501301 - ANCIENT HISTORY

courses

ID:

501301

Duration (hours):

36

CFU:

SSD:

STORIA GRECA

Located in:

CREMONA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (02/03/2026 - 12/06/2026)

Course Objectives

The aim of this class is to provide every necessary tool for the knowledge of Greek and Roman history and civilization, from the earliest evidence to the end of ancient times, with reference to the whole of the Greek-speaking and Roman world in its historical development. Particular attention is paid to the history of the historiography and to methodological issues, also through the concrete study of specific but important themes. The student will also acquire the necessary elements of epigraphy and exegesis of the sources; at the end of the courses he is expected to have developed the skill to critically discuss historical issues, connecting them with similar problems pertaining to different historical ages, but, at the same time, paying attention to the specific historical contexts.

Course Prerequisites

Standard competences and skills in the understanding of complex texts, as are usually provided by high school, are required. All basic concepts, including the same notion of ancient history or that of historical periodization, will be explained during the courses. Knowledge of classical languages is useful and appreciated, though not required.

Teaching Methods

Lectures held by the teacher, with the involvement of students in the discussion of historical issues of particular importance and of methodological aspects emerging from the examined text, in harmony with the general purpose of the course which is to activate and solicit the students' critical awareness.

Assessment Methods

Oral examination consisting of 3 to 5 questions pertaining to the topics treated in the class, to the manuals of Greek and Roman history, to the critical essays, and to the ancient authors' books (consistent with the very structure of this program). During the examination, particular care will be taken to verify the acquisition of the expected abilities to analyze historical texts, to critically discuss some major issues, and to draw on up-to-date historiographical methodologies, in keeping with the overall aims and choices of the class.

Texts

Students are expected to gain a general training through the study of the following manuals:
– M. BETTALLI, A.L. D’AGATA, A. MAGNETTO, Storia greca, 3rd ed., Roma, Carocci, 2021.
– G. GERACI, A. MARCONE, Storia romana, 4th ed., Milano, Mondadori Education 2016 (not to be confused with the 'editio maior').
As for the ancient historiographical texts, the reading of Herodotus' book 7 is required. Many editions are circulating and can be chosen, for example the following:
– ERODOTO, Le Storie. Libro VII: Serse e Leonida, a cura di A. Corcella e P. Vannicelli, trans. by G. Nenci, Milano, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla - Mondadori, 2017.
At last, students have to read one of the following essays:
– F. DE POLIGNAC, La nascita della città greca. Culti, spazio e società nei secoli VIII e VII a.C., Milano, Jaca Book, 1991.
– Storia di Roma, a cura di A. Giardina e A. Schiavone, Torino, Einaudi, 1999 (at least six articles, as the teacher will take care to explain).

Founding and organizing the city: politics as experience and as a project, in comparison with modern age. The teacher will also explain the main lines of development of the ancient history addressing some topics of particular complexity, so that the student can be introduced to a general training in ancient history.

Course Language

Italian

More information

Students unable to attend the class should contact the teacher in time. Students who certify that they belong to one of the categories requiring special inclusive modes can access dedicated lecture recordings. Students who certify long-term fragile situations can take online testing.