HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

The course is part of the teaching activities that characterise the Master Degree in Ancient Civilisations: Literature, History and Archaeology. It aims at guiding the student to master the philological and methodological skills to develop independent research in the field of ancient Near Eastern history. The student will be required to practice them by writing a scientific article on a topic related to the course, assigned by the teacher.

The student at the end of the course will master the philological and methodological skills to develop independent research in the field of ancient Near Eastern history, practicing them by writing a piece of scientific research on a topic related to the course, assigned by the teacher.

A general knowledge of the history of the ancient Near East is recommended and can be acquired through a series of individual readings at the beginning of classes (see bibliography suggested for History of the Ancient Near East I -- laurea triennale)

Topic of the course is "The history of food and drink in the ancient Near East". Food practices in ancient Mesopotamia, in Anatolia, Syria and Palestine between 3rd and 1st millennium BCE will be taken into account. In particular, food production, consumption and cultural history of food and cuisine will be examined according to written texts (mainly cuneiform literature) and iconographic sources. The study of food storage and ceremonial consumption will be based on archaeological, as well as textual data. Special attention will be devoted to banqueting in both palatial and communal society (with a focus on Biblical data). Food and drink lexicon (especially in Sumerian and Akkadian languages) will be investigated with special emphasis on the cultural development of alimentary practices.

Bibliography will be provided during the course. Students will be assigned specific readings (monographs and articles) to be discussed in class.

- notes and materials from the classes
- class discussion on selected topics
- written assignement

Presentation of the subject by the teacher and discussion in class. Handouts will be distributed to the students, concerning texts to be discussed.

Italian

Students who are interested in Ancient Near Eastern Studies are suggested to follow along with History of the Ancient Near East sp. the following classes: Assyriology sp., Archaeology of Caucasus, Archaeology of the Levant, Egyptology sp.

oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development