The module aims to shed light on the main events, problems and key moments in Roman history (from the origins of the city of Rome to the fall of the Western Roman Empire) through the study (analysis of the monument and the archaeological context, reading, translation, and interpretation of the text) of 36 Latin inscriptions (approximately one per lecture). The study of such epigraphical evidence will of course be complemented by the analysis of other related primary sources (literary, archaeological, numismatic, papyrological ones) and the secondary literature. During the course, the general principles of Latin epigraphy and the related epistemological methods (from traditional to more recent ones) will also be considered.

The module includes:

- the analysis of 16 Latin inscriptions useful for the reconstruction of the main events in Roman history from the origins of the city of Rome to the end of the Republic and the understanding of their consequences from a political, institutional and administrative point of view (first part = lectures 1-18 during the first term)

- the analysis of 20 Latin inscriptions useful for the reconstruction of the main events in Roman history from the creation of the Principate to the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the understanding of their consequences from a political, institutional and administrative point of view (second part = lectures 19-36 during the second term).

During each lesson, at least one Latin inscription will be read and commented upon; other related ancient primary sources (literary, archaeological, numismatic, papyrological ones) will be analysed; finally, the interpretations provided by modern scholars will be considered.

The complete syllabus is provided to students during the first lecture, and will be available on blended.uniurb.it.

None.

Knowledge and understanding of the main historical processes of Roman history.

Ability to analyse ancient primary evidence (not only epigraphic sources, but also literary, archaeological, numismatic, papyrological ones).

Critical thinking about the information gathered from ancient primary evidence (not only epigraphic sources, but also literary, archaeological, numismatic, papyrological ones) and modern secondary literature.

Ability to communicate the acquired knowledge in a clear, essential and scientifically correct way.

Learning autonomy.

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

A self-assessment test in presence and/or online is scheduled at the end of the first part: this test will provide students with the opportunity to assess the degree of their preparation. This test will consist of a series of questions on the first part of the programme.

Teaching

Lectures and papers given by specialists with a slide show and handouts (occasionally); seminars.

Innovative teaching methods

Some classes will be conducted according to the following innovative teaching methods: 

• Debate
• Flipped classroom

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory, but highly recommended. Only those who have attended at least two thirds of the lectures will be considered to be attending students.

Course books

a) The following books:

- S. Giorcelli Bersani, Epigrafia e storia di Roma. Nuova edizione, Roma: Carocci, 2015

- G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2009 (seconda edizione)

b) The following articles:

- A. Donati, "L'epigrafia romana", in G. Poma (a cura di), La storia antica. Metodi e fonti per lo studio, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2016, pp. 245-261 (available on blended.uniurb.it)

- G. L. Gregori, "Riflessi epigrafici della propaganda e della lotta politica tardorepubblicana", in S. Segenni, M. Bellomo (a cura di), Epigrafia e politica II, Documenti e iscrizioni per lo studio di Roma repubblicana, Milano: Ledizioni, 2021, pp. 7-43 (available on blended.uniurb.it)

- G. Susini, "La scrittura e le pietre", in A. Carandini, L. Cracco Ruggini, A. Giardina (a cura di), Storia di Roma III, 2, Torino: Einaudi, 1993, pp. 865-896 (available on blended.uniurb.it)

If you have never taken a Roman history module earlier, please use one of the following handbooks:

- G. Cresci Marrone, F. Rohr Vio, L. Calvelli, Roma antica. Storia e documenti, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2020 (o edizione precedente)

or

- A. Mastrocinque, Storia Romana, Milano: UTET Università, 2022

During the lectures, additional materials (handouts/PowerPoints with primary sources) will be provided. All materials will be available on blended.uniurb.it.

Course books and articles can be provided in English, and the final exam can also be taken in English.

Assessment

The final grade will be given by an oral exam (usually five/six questions).

A mid-term (oral) test on the first part of the course is scheduled during the January/February exam session.

Here below the evaluation criteria:

• skill level excellent (30 with honors-30): excellent critical and in-depth study skills; excellent ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear and precise oral exposition;

• skill level very good (29-27): very good critical and in-depth study skills; very good ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear and precise oral exposition;

• skill level good (26-24): good critical and in-depth study skills; good ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear oral exposition;

• skill level satisfactory (23-21): a fair degree of critical and in-depth study skills; satisfactory ability to link key-themes studied; a clear oral exposition;

• skill level enough (20-18): a sufficient degree of critical and in-depth study skills; sufficient ability to link key-themes studied; a clear enough oral exposition;

• skill level not enough (less than 18): gaps in critical and in-depth study skills; lack of ability to link key-themes studied; an unclear oral exposition.

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.

Teaching

Personal study.

Attendance

In addition (or as an alternative) to course books (see below), non-attending students should contact the lecturer for other reading.

Course books

a) The following books:

- S. Giorcelli Bersani, Epigrafia e storia di Roma. Nuova edizione, Roma: Carocci, 2015

- G. Poma, Le istituzioni politiche del mondo romano, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2009 (seconda edizione)

b) The following articles:

- A. Donati, "L'epigrafia romana", in G. Poma (a cura di), La storia antica. Metodi e fonti per lo studio, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2016, pp. 245-261 (available on blended.uniurb.it)

- G. L. Gregori, "Riflessi epigrafici della propaganda e della lotta politica tardorepubblicana", in S. Segenni, M. Bellomo (a cura di), Epigrafia e politica II, Documenti e iscrizioni per lo studio di Roma repubblicana, Milano: Ledizioni, 2021, pp. 7-43 (available on blended.uniurb.it)

- G. Susini, "La scrittura e le pietre", in A. Carandini, L. Cracco Ruggini, A. Giardina (a cura di), Storia di Roma III, 2, Torino: Einaudi, 1993, pp. 865-896 (available on blended.uniurb.it)

If you have never taken a Roman history module earlier, please use one of the following handbooks:

- G. Cresci Marrone, F. Rohr Vio, L. Calvelli, Roma antica. Storia e documenti, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2020 (o edizione precedente)

or

- A. Mastrocinque, Storia Romana, Milano: UTET Università, 2022

Course books and articles can be provided in English, and the final exam can also be taken in English.

Assessment

The final grade will be given by an oral exam (usually five/six questions).

A mid-term (oral) test on the first part of the course is scheduled during the January/February exam session.

Here below the evaluation criteria:

• skill level excellent (30 with honors-30): excellent critical and in-depth study skills; excellent ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear and precise oral exposition;

• skill level very good (29-27): very good critical and in-depth study skills; very good ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear and precise oral exposition;

• skill level good (26-24): good critical and in-depth study skills; good ability to link the key-themes studied; a clear oral exposition;

• skill level satisfactory (23-21): a fair degree of critical and in-depth study skills; satisfactory ability to link key-themes studied; a clear oral exposition;

• skill level enough (20-18): a sufficient degree of critical and in-depth study skills; sufficient ability to link key-themes studied; a clear enough oral exposition;

• skill level not enough (less than 18): gaps in critical and in-depth study skills; lack of ability to link key-themes studied; an unclear oral exposition.

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.

No previous knowledge of Latin language and Roman history is required.