The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and methodology which are necessary in order to acquire the ability to critically analyse and reflect upon the ancient tradition on Pericles, the most representative politician of the classical age in Athens. A particular focus will be placed on the role of a few women who (at various levels and in various ways) had a relationship with the Athenian statesman. An in-depth and disenchanted reading of the sources reveals that female figures such as Elpinice and Aspasia exerted a certain degree of influence on Pericles' political choices. In modern scholarship, this aspect has only been remarked to a limited extent, and through the distorting lens of a prejudicial vision of the role of women in ancient Greek society. Moreover, Pericles' attention to the feminine universe provided a powerful tool of denigration to critics and opponents of his time. In particular, this can be clearly observed in theatrical communication and in denigratory writings, whose most emblematic representative is Stesimbrotos of Thasos. Yet, the underlying prejudice against women, which in hostile sources informs the distorted reading of Pericles' political activity, once well focused, allows us to propose a stimulating reconstruction of the intertwining between private life and public commitment of the great Athenian statesman.

During the course we will illustrate the main phases of the events relating to Pericles through a critical analysis of the main sources, focusing in particular on the reflection, in the ancient tradition and in the re-elaborations of later ages, of the significant role of a few women who revolved around the great statesman.

There are no bridging courses

Knowledge: Knowledge of the main dynamics of the political, social, religious and economic history of the ancient Greek world and their chronological contexts.

Making judgements: Ability to critically and comparatively analyze the contents of sources and their genesis.

Communication skills: Clear and comprehensive communication demonstrating versatility in the historical and critical framework of historiographical and literary testimonies.

The course aims to consolidate and deepen the knowledge and methodologies of historical and philological analysis acquired by students during the BA, both with a view to find employment in publishing houses, public and private research and cultural institutes, cultural and academic institutions, and with a view to enrol in a PhD programme.

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

There are no supporting activities

Teaching

Lectures

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.

Course books

Plutarco, Vite parallele, Pericle e Fabio Massimo, Introduzione di Philip A. Stadter, traduzione e note di Anna Santoni, Milano: BUR Rizzoli, 1991.

U. Bultrighini - E. Dimauro (a cura di), Donne che contano nella Storia greca, Lanciano: Carabba, 2014, pp. 51-92, 373-440, 441-528.

Assessment

Oral examination. The exam consists of a few questions (usually three/four) on the study texts and on a selection of ancient sources (which will be made available on Moodle). The questions are aimed at assessing both the learning of the contents and the ability to re-elaborate and discuss.

It should be noted that the ability to translate sources from Greek and Latin, although particularly appreciated, is considered optional.

The following will lead to excellent marks: the student's possession of good critical and in-depth analysis skills; the ability to connect the main topics addressed in the course; the mastery of an appropriate language specific to the discipline.

The following will lead to fair marks: the student's possession of mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a limited critical ability and a limited ability to make connections between the topics covered; the use of an appropriate language.

The following will lead to pass marks: the achievement by the student of a minimum amount of knowledge of the topics covered; educational gaps; the use of an inappropriate language.

The following will lead to fail marks: difficulty by the student in dealing with the topics addressed in the exam texts; educational gaps; the use of an 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.

Teaching

Independent study

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory, but strongly recommended

Course books

Plutarco, Vite parallele, Pericle e Fabio Massimo, Introduzione di Philip A. Stadter, traduzione e note di Anna Santoni, Milano: BUR Rizzoli, 1991.

U. Bultrighini - E. Dimauro (a cura di), Donne che contano nella Storia greca, Lanciano: Carabba, 2014, pp. 51-92, 373-440, 441-528.

In addition:

T.R. Martin, Pericles. A Biography in Context, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016.

Assessment

Oral examination. The exam consists of a few questions (usually three/four) on the study texts and on a selection of ancient sources (which will be made available on Moodle). The questions are aimed at assessing both the learning of the contents and the ability to re-elaborate and discuss.

It should be noted that the ability to translate sources from Greek and Latin, although particularly appreciated, is considered optional.

The following will lead to excellent marks: the student's possession of good critical and in-depth analysis skills; the ability to connect the main topics addressed in the course; the mastery of an appropriate language specific to the discipline.

The following will lead to fair marks: the student's possession of mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a limited critical ability and a limited ability to make connections between the topics covered; the use of an appropriate language.

The following will lead to pass marks: the achievement by the student of a minimum amount of knowledge of the topics covered; educational gaps; the use of an inappropriate language.

The following will lead to fail marks: difficulty by the student in dealing with the topics addressed in the exam texts; educational gaps; the use of an 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 is highly recommended.

- In view of the exam, in-depth knowledge of the ancient sources discussed during the course is essential, for both attending and non-attending students.

- The Greek and Latin sources are to be read in the original language and translated, an element of particular appreciation during the evaluation. Students who are not Classics majors and who do not know Greek and Latin will take the exam with the sources translated into Italian/English. The teaching material (historiographical sources) provided during the classes will be available on Moodle, for both attending and non-attending students.