The course aims at acquiring the methodological basis of Greek history. The main instruments of historical scientific investigation will be introduced and the lines of development from the Archaic to the Hellenistic age will be outlined. The course also explores the relationship between athletes and warriors in the Greek world, offering an example of historical investigation that goes beyond the generic knowledge of the main notions related to Greek history. The final objective of the course, therefore, will be the critical analysis of literary, epigraphic and archaeological sources for the purposes of historical investigation. 

Greek History is the discipline that reconstructs the main events in the Greek world through literary, epigraphic and archaeological sources. Starting with the earlier Minoan and Mycenaean civilisations, which indelibly marked subsequent developments, the course focuses on the Archaic and Classical Ages, when sources are written in the Greek alphabetical script, imported by the Phoenicians between the 9th and 8th centuries BC.  A lower chronological limit is set at the end of the Hellenistic Age, i.e. with the advent of Augustus following the Battle of Actium (31 BC). The monographic part is devoted to the close relationship in the Greek world between the military and the agonistic spheres. In the polis, praise was given both to the winning athletes (especially for a panhellenic contest) and to the fallen warriors. The close relationship between war and sport can be seen in numerous aspects, such as military competitions or weapons offered as prizes. There are also many examples of warrior-athletes. But were the best athletes also better warriors and vice versa? It is not always easy to answer on the basis of the sources, which sometimes criticised sport (cf. e.g. Eurip. fr. 282 Nauck). Therefore, only a thorough analysis of the sources makes a precise and articulate historical reconstruction possible.

There are no prerequisites.

The expected outcome of the course is a basic knowledge of Greek History. In particular, the student will be able to order historical sources in the correct geographical and chronological coordinates. Moreover, interdisciplinarity is intrinsically linked to the study of history, a subject that allows for various applications in the philological and archaeological sciences related to the ancient world, as well as in medieval, modern and contemporary history. These historical skills are indispensable or very useful for jobs requiring writing, such as journalism or publishing, and in all sectors where, on the contrary, gaps would be evident and limiting. No less important results include the ability to reason about complex problems and to formulate new interpretative perspectives, based on an accurate scientific method and the correct analysis of sources. Last but not least, the course aims to develop students' communication skills for both a specialist and a wider audience.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Lectures and exercises on the historical sources.

Attendance

Attendance at the course is not compulsory, but is highly recommended. Knowledge of ancient Greek is an advantage for a deeper understanding of the subject.

Course books

Reference handbook for the outline of Greek History: D. Musti, Introduzione alla storia Greca, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2003.

(as alternative to the companion of D. Musti the following handbooks are suggested: F. Lefèvre, Storia del mondo greco antico, trad. it., Einaudi, Torino 2015 or M. Bettalli, A. L. D’Agata, A. Magnetto, Storia greca, Carocci, Roma 2006)

Reference book for the monographic part: P. Angeli Bernardini, Il soldato e l'atleta: guerra e sport nella Grecia antica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2016, pp. 11-81; 144-229.

Assessment

Oral examination.

The following will be considered excellent: the student's possession of good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair grades: the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical ability and the ability to link the themes dealt with: the use of appropriate language.

The following will result in sufficient assessments: the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, despite the presence of some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

The following will result in negative assessments: difficulty in the student's orientation in relation to the themes dealt with in the examination texts; gaps in training; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Attendance

Non-attending students are required to agree with the lecturer on the teaching material for the examination. In addition to the reference textbook, they will have to study Angeli Bernardini's monograph for the monographic part in its entirety.

Course books

Reference text for the outline of Greek History: D. Musti, Introduzione alla storia Greca, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2003.

(books as alternative to that of D. Musti: F. Lefèvre, Storia del mondo greco antico, trad. it., Einaudi, Torino 2015 or M. Bettalli, A. L. D’Agata, A. Magnetto, Storia greca, Carocci, Roma 2006)

Reference text for the monographic part: P. Angeli Bernardini, Il soldato e l'atleta: guerra e sport nella Grecia antica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2016.

Assessment

Oral examination.

The following will be considered excellent: the student's possession of good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair grades: the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical ability and the ability to link the themes dealt with: the use of appropriate language.

The following will result in sufficient assessments: the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, despite the presence of some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

The following will result in negative assessments: difficulty in the student's orientation in relation to the themes dealt with in the examination texts; gaps in training; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.