Greek History
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The aim of the course it to provide students with the ability to understand the broad outlines of the politico-institutional, socio-economic and cultural development of ancient Greek history from Minoan and Mycenean civilizations to the Roman conquest, also on the basis of a selection of texts and documentary sources relevant for the topics examined.
Expected learning outcomes
The expected learning outcomes include:
- detailed knowledge of the broad outlines of the politico-institutional, socio-economic and cultural development of ancient Greek history from Minoan and Mycenean civilisations to the Hellenistic period and an ability to set events and historical figures in their chronological and historical context;
- solid knowledge of historical geography and the ability to set events and political and institutional phenomena within their specific geographical and environmental context;
- some basic knowledge of the distinctive features of ancient Greek historiography;
- ability to appropriately use the specific language of the discipline;
- ability to present notions showing awareness of the methodological issues posed by historical research on the ancient world;
- ability to clearly and appropriately express concepts related to the institutional and cultural aspects of the discipline.
- detailed knowledge of the broad outlines of the politico-institutional, socio-economic and cultural development of ancient Greek history from Minoan and Mycenean civilisations to the Hellenistic period and an ability to set events and historical figures in their chronological and historical context;
- solid knowledge of historical geography and the ability to set events and political and institutional phenomena within their specific geographical and environmental context;
- some basic knowledge of the distinctive features of ancient Greek historiography;
- ability to appropriately use the specific language of the discipline;
- ability to present notions showing awareness of the methodological issues posed by historical research on the ancient world;
- ability to clearly and appropriately express concepts related to the institutional and cultural aspects of the discipline.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Organization of the course during the COVID pandemic
The course will be held in a blended, combined mode with some lectures delivered in presence and a larger portion online. The detailed calendar of the lectures will be published on the official course website on the Ariel platform. The lectures in presence will in principle be held at the end of each teaching unit and will focus on the topics dealt with during the online classes with the aim of allowing students to pose questions, request clarifications and generate discussion. Online lectures will be livestreamed on the Teams platform.
Students will find all information concerning links to lectures as well as possible changes to schedules and exam bibliography on the course website on the Ariel platform.
Should it not be possible to organize exam sessions as described in this syllabus, exams will be held online. All relevant information will be provided on the course website on Ariel.
The course will be held in a blended, combined mode with some lectures delivered in presence and a larger portion online. The detailed calendar of the lectures will be published on the official course website on the Ariel platform. The lectures in presence will in principle be held at the end of each teaching unit and will focus on the topics dealt with during the online classes with the aim of allowing students to pose questions, request clarifications and generate discussion. Online lectures will be livestreamed on the Teams platform.
Students will find all information concerning links to lectures as well as possible changes to schedules and exam bibliography on the course website on the Ariel platform.
Should it not be possible to organize exam sessions as described in this syllabus, exams will be held online. All relevant information will be provided on the course website on Ariel.
Course syllabus
The topics dealt with during the course include:
Part I
1.A
- introduction and preliminary questions with reference to: the geographical space of Greek history and its development, periodization and connected problems, the emergence of Greek identity, the ancient and modern notion of polis;
- an overview of some of the most important political and social phenomena in the development of Greek civilization from the origins to the hellenistic period;
- the birth of Greek historiography and some essential notions on its features, methods and development, with a choice of passages from Herodotus and Thucydides.
1.B
- political institutions and social organization of the ancient polis with a special focus on the cases of Athens (from the origins to Periklean democracy) and Sparta (an introduction to the the Lykourgan kosmos) but also with a broader comparative approach;
- the Greek world in the fourth century and in early Hellenism: the crisis of the model of the hegemonic polis and the emergence of "alternative" models: the federal state and the territorial monarchy.
Part II
- Sparta and Spartan society, with particular reference to the layered nature of the tradition about Lykourgos and the historical process of its formation. Other topics will include: the political and legal organisation of Spartan society and its relations with the outside world; the relationship between political institutions and economic structures (land tenure, Spartan austerity and equality, the role and status of iron and silver coinage); the common messes and communal life; women in Spartan society.
Part I
1.A
- introduction and preliminary questions with reference to: the geographical space of Greek history and its development, periodization and connected problems, the emergence of Greek identity, the ancient and modern notion of polis;
- an overview of some of the most important political and social phenomena in the development of Greek civilization from the origins to the hellenistic period;
- the birth of Greek historiography and some essential notions on its features, methods and development, with a choice of passages from Herodotus and Thucydides.
1.B
- political institutions and social organization of the ancient polis with a special focus on the cases of Athens (from the origins to Periklean democracy) and Sparta (an introduction to the the Lykourgan kosmos) but also with a broader comparative approach;
- the Greek world in the fourth century and in early Hellenism: the crisis of the model of the hegemonic polis and the emergence of "alternative" models: the federal state and the territorial monarchy.
Part II
- Sparta and Spartan society, with particular reference to the layered nature of the tradition about Lykourgos and the historical process of its formation. Other topics will include: the political and legal organisation of Spartan society and its relations with the outside world; the relationship between political institutions and economic structures (land tenure, Spartan austerity and equality, the role and status of iron and silver coinage); the common messes and communal life; women in Spartan society.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
The course is offered in a lecture format. It takes the students through the different topics with a source-based approach aiming at highlighting the nature and characters of ancient texts and documents as well as the questions connected to their use in the construction of historical discourse. All texts and materials analysed during the lectures are available in advance for downloading on the dedicated course website on the Ariel platform.
Attendance at lectures is recommended but is not compulsory.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Attendance at lectures is recommended but is not compulsory.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography
Part I (6 ECTS)
1.A
1) One of the following handbooks of Greek history:
C. BEARZOT, Manuale di storia greca, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015 (third edition) [mandatory for Classics students];
M. CORSARO-L. GALLO, Storia greca, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2010;
2) TUCIDIDE, La guerra del Peloponneso, libro I (recommended edition: Tucidide. La guerra del Peloponneso, with an introduction by M.I. FINLEY, Milano, Rizzoli [BUR], 1996-).
1.B
1) One of the following books:
G. CAMASSA, Forme della vita politica dei Greci in età arcaica e classica, Bologna, Monduzzi Editore, 2007;
M. GIANGIULIO, Democrazie greche. Atene, Sicilia, Magna Grecia, Roma, Carocci, 2016;
2) One of the following chapters:
C. AMPOLO, Il sistema della polis. Elementi costitutivi della civiltà greca, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 297-342;
M. GIANGIULIO, Avventurieri, mercanti, coloni, mercenari: mobilità umana e circolazione di risorse nel Mediterraneo arcaico, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 497-524;
K.A. RAAFLAUB, Solone, la nuova Atene e l'emergere della politica, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 1035-1081;
M. BETTALLI, Tra guerre persiane e guerra del Peloponneso: la Grecia durante la Pentecontetia, in M. GIANGIULIO (a cura di), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, IV: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008, pp. 249-288;
M. FARAGUNA, Alessandro Magno tra Grecia ed Asia: l'inizio dell'età ellenistica, in M. GIANGIULIO (ed.), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, IV: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008, pp. 463-506.
Part II (3 ECTS)
1) SENOFONTE, L'ordinamento politico degli Spartani, a cura di G.F. GIANOTTI, Palermo, Sellerio, 1990 (Classics students are required to be able to read and translate the Greek original text) [available for downloading on the Ariel platform];
2) M. LUPI, Sparta. Storia e rappresentazioni di una città greca, Roma, Carocci, 2017.
Bibliography for non-attending students
Part I (6 ECTS)
1.A
1) One of the following handbooks of Greek history:
C. BEARZOT, Manuale di storia greca, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015 (third edition) [mandatory for Classics students];
M. CORSARO-L. GALLO, Storia greca, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2010;
2) TUCIDIDE, La guerra del Peloponneso, libro I (recommended edition: Tucidide, La guerra del Peloponneso, with an introduction by M.I. FINLEY, Milano, Rizzoli [BUR], 1996-);
3) F. CÀSSOLA, Chi erano i Greci?, in S. SETTIS (ed.), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 5-23;
4) L. CANFORA, Prima lezione di storia greca, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2000.
1.B
1) One of the following books:
G. CAMASSA, Forme della vita politica dei Greci in età arcaica e classica, Bologna, Monduzzi Editore, 2007;
M. GIANGIULIO, Democrazie greche. Atene, Sicilia, Magna Grecia, Roma, Carocci, 2016;
2) Two chapters to be chosen among the following:
C. AMPOLO, Il sistema della polis. Elementi costitutivi della civiltà greca, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 297-342;
M. GIANGIULIO, Avventurieri, mercanti, coloni, mercenari: mobilità umana e circolazione di risorse nel Mediterraneo arcaico, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 497-524;
K.A. RAAFLAUB, Solone, la nuova Atene e l'emergere della politica, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 1035-1081;
M. BETTALLI, Tra guerre persiane e guerra del Peloponneso: la Grecia durante la Pentecontetia, in M. GIANGIULIO (a cura di), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, IV: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008, pp. 249-288;
M. FARAGUNA, Alessandro Magno tra Grecia ed Asia: l'inizio dell'età ellenistica, in M. GIANGIULIO (ed.), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, IV: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008, pp. 463-506.
Part II (3 ECTS)
1) SENOFONTE, L'ordinamento politico degli Spartani, a cura di G.F. GIANOTTI, Palermo, Sellerio, 1990 (Classics students are required to be able to read and translate the Greek original text) [available for downloading on the Ariel platform];
2) M. LUPI, Sparta. Storia e rappresentazioni di una città greca, Roma, Carocci, 2017.
3) One of the following books:
M. BETTALLI, Introduzione alla storiografia greca, Roma, Carocci, 2012;
M. BONAZZI, Processo a Socrate, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2018;
M.I. FINLEY, La democrazia degli antichi e dei moderni, Roma-Bari 2010 (terza edizione, con postfazione di C. Ampolo; edizione originale Roma-Bari 1973);
M. MARI (a cura di), L'età ellenistica. Società, politica, cultura, Roma 2019;
N. BERNARD, Donne e società nella Grecia antica, Roma, Carocci, 2011;
C. BEARZOT, La giustizia nella Grecia antica, Roma, Carocci, 2008.
Part I (6 ECTS)
1.A
1) One of the following handbooks of Greek history:
C. BEARZOT, Manuale di storia greca, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015 (third edition) [mandatory for Classics students];
M. CORSARO-L. GALLO, Storia greca, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2010;
2) TUCIDIDE, La guerra del Peloponneso, libro I (recommended edition: Tucidide. La guerra del Peloponneso, with an introduction by M.I. FINLEY, Milano, Rizzoli [BUR], 1996-).
1.B
1) One of the following books:
G. CAMASSA, Forme della vita politica dei Greci in età arcaica e classica, Bologna, Monduzzi Editore, 2007;
M. GIANGIULIO, Democrazie greche. Atene, Sicilia, Magna Grecia, Roma, Carocci, 2016;
2) One of the following chapters:
C. AMPOLO, Il sistema della polis. Elementi costitutivi della civiltà greca, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 297-342;
M. GIANGIULIO, Avventurieri, mercanti, coloni, mercenari: mobilità umana e circolazione di risorse nel Mediterraneo arcaico, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 497-524;
K.A. RAAFLAUB, Solone, la nuova Atene e l'emergere della politica, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 1035-1081;
M. BETTALLI, Tra guerre persiane e guerra del Peloponneso: la Grecia durante la Pentecontetia, in M. GIANGIULIO (a cura di), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, IV: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008, pp. 249-288;
M. FARAGUNA, Alessandro Magno tra Grecia ed Asia: l'inizio dell'età ellenistica, in M. GIANGIULIO (ed.), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, IV: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008, pp. 463-506.
Part II (3 ECTS)
1) SENOFONTE, L'ordinamento politico degli Spartani, a cura di G.F. GIANOTTI, Palermo, Sellerio, 1990 (Classics students are required to be able to read and translate the Greek original text) [available for downloading on the Ariel platform];
2) M. LUPI, Sparta. Storia e rappresentazioni di una città greca, Roma, Carocci, 2017.
Bibliography for non-attending students
Part I (6 ECTS)
1.A
1) One of the following handbooks of Greek history:
C. BEARZOT, Manuale di storia greca, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2015 (third edition) [mandatory for Classics students];
M. CORSARO-L. GALLO, Storia greca, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2010;
2) TUCIDIDE, La guerra del Peloponneso, libro I (recommended edition: Tucidide, La guerra del Peloponneso, with an introduction by M.I. FINLEY, Milano, Rizzoli [BUR], 1996-);
3) F. CÀSSOLA, Chi erano i Greci?, in S. SETTIS (ed.), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 5-23;
4) L. CANFORA, Prima lezione di storia greca, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2000.
1.B
1) One of the following books:
G. CAMASSA, Forme della vita politica dei Greci in età arcaica e classica, Bologna, Monduzzi Editore, 2007;
M. GIANGIULIO, Democrazie greche. Atene, Sicilia, Magna Grecia, Roma, Carocci, 2016;
2) Two chapters to be chosen among the following:
C. AMPOLO, Il sistema della polis. Elementi costitutivi della civiltà greca, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 297-342;
M. GIANGIULIO, Avventurieri, mercanti, coloni, mercenari: mobilità umana e circolazione di risorse nel Mediterraneo arcaico, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 497-524;
K.A. RAAFLAUB, Solone, la nuova Atene e l'emergere della politica, in S. SETTIS (a cura di), I Greci. Storia, cultura, arte, società, II.1: Formazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1996, pp. 1035-1081;
M. BETTALLI, Tra guerre persiane e guerra del Peloponneso: la Grecia durante la Pentecontetia, in M. GIANGIULIO (a cura di), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo, IV: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008, pp. 249-288;
M. FARAGUNA, Alessandro Magno tra Grecia ed Asia: l'inizio dell'età ellenistica, in M. GIANGIULIO (ed.), Storia d'Europa e del Mediterraneo: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, IV: Grecia e Mediterraneo dall'età delle guerre persiane all'Ellenismo, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2008, pp. 463-506.
Part II (3 ECTS)
1) SENOFONTE, L'ordinamento politico degli Spartani, a cura di G.F. GIANOTTI, Palermo, Sellerio, 1990 (Classics students are required to be able to read and translate the Greek original text) [available for downloading on the Ariel platform];
2) M. LUPI, Sparta. Storia e rappresentazioni di una città greca, Roma, Carocci, 2017.
3) One of the following books:
M. BETTALLI, Introduzione alla storiografia greca, Roma, Carocci, 2012;
M. BONAZZI, Processo a Socrate, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2018;
M.I. FINLEY, La democrazia degli antichi e dei moderni, Roma-Bari 2010 (terza edizione, con postfazione di C. Ampolo; edizione originale Roma-Bari 1973);
M. MARI (a cura di), L'età ellenistica. Società, politica, cultura, Roma 2019;
N. BERNARD, Donne e società nella Grecia antica, Roma, Carocci, 2011;
C. BEARZOT, La giustizia nella Grecia antica, Roma, Carocci, 2008.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is oral and aims at ascertaining students' knowledge of the development of Greek history from the origins to the hellenistic period with an ability to set historical figures and phenomena within their appropriate chronological and geographical context. For attending students, it also aims at verifying their knowledge of the topics, sources and materials discussed during the lectures and their ability to use them with some degree of awareness of the methodological questions they pose.
Assessment criteria are the following: ability to organize knowledge through discourse; critical reasoning skills with regard to the topics considered; ability to present topics and express oneself with the specialist language appropriate to the discipline.
Marks are out of 30.
Assessment criteria are the following: ability to organize knowledge through discourse; critical reasoning skills with regard to the topics considered; ability to present topics and express oneself with the specialist language appropriate to the discipline.
Marks are out of 30.
Unita' didattica A
L-ANT/02 - GREEK HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-ANT/02 - GREEK HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-ANT/02 - GREEK HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)