Programme

Pierfrancesco PORENA, Latin Epigraphy (36 hours - 6 ECTS)
DISCIPLINARY FIELD: L-ANT/03
"Rome and the Roman world: an epigraphic civilization"
No human civilization has ever celebrated and exposed the ‘written word’ more than the Greek-Roman one. The module proposes an introduction to the study of the epigraphic landscape in Latin language in the Roman world, from the origins to the fall of the Western Empire. We proceed to the reading of inscriptions, live, but also as PDF and power point images. The texts are examined and transcribed according to the criteria of the current scientific edition. Examples of the different categories of inscriptions (sepulchral, honorary, building, sacred, etc.) are analyzed with particular attention to their historical, social and topographical context. We then study the different categories of epigraphic sources in Latin, the criteria of their ancient making and editing, their history and their modern edition (printed and digital). In addition, the students will be stimulate to consult the printed epigraphic collections and other tools of epigraphic and bibliographic research, and to consult the epigraphic databases.

Core Documentation

TEXTS for attending students:
A. Buonopane, Manuale di epigrafia latina, Rome (Carocci) 2020 (it includes links to the Italian translation of the Latin inscriptions analysed in the text).
In addition to the manual, to be studied in its entirety, the students attending can download in PDF format from the teacher's website and from the Teams digital platform some handouts; their contents are illustrated in class and which must be studied for the exam.

Reference texts for non-frequent students: they must agree on a programme with the teacher.

Students can study texts in English, French, German and Spanish on the teacher's advice; it is possible to ask for taking the exam in one of these three languages.

Type of delivery of the course

▪ SEMESTER : SECOND (end February - May 2024). ▪ START OF LESSONS : last week of February 2024. The teacher explains the topics and epigraphic texts with the help of photographies (PDF) and Power Point slides (lesson timings: 45’ + 45’). Live inspection of the original inscriptions in the Epigraphic Collection (The Museum of Written Communication in the Roman World) of the National Roman Museum of Diocletian's Baths; Lapidary Gallery of the Capitoline Museums, and possibly in other collections in Rome. The teacher's lessons and exercises aim to introduce students to the different categories of Latin epigraphic sources, the criteria of their ancient making and layout, their history and their modern edition (printed and digital). Language of teaching: Italian (programs in English, French, German, Spanish can be agreed upon).

Attendance

Attendance to the lessons is not compulsory, but it is advisable to attend at least half of the lessons. In the case of overlaps with other lessons, it is advisable to share notes with other students attending.

Type of evaluation

The oral exam takes place in the teacher's office or in a classroom in the Department of Humanities / Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici (via Ostiense, 234 - Rome). The exam aims to assess not only the candidate's knowledge about Latin Epigraphy, but also the ability to contextualize the individual inscriptions in their category of epigraphic message and in their historical and functional context. The exam also aims to assess the critical skills acquired by the candidate and his ability to examine, read, translate, transcribe, restore, interpret, date the different inscriptions that he has studied. Finally, the examination aims to verify the candidate's skills in orienting among the different collections of printed inscriptions and into the online databases, and his / her skills in using these tools for research. The exam can be taken in Italian or in a language of your choice between English, French, German or Spanish. The calendar of appeals and the exam room is indicated on the websites and on the teacher's bulletin board. The student must book his or her exam through the GOMP digital platform.