ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE

The teaching falls within the integrative training activities of the Master degree in Ancient Civilisations: Literature, History and Archaeology: it allows the student to acquire the knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and methodological fundamentals necessary for the study of Archaeology of the Roman Empire and aims to offer a reflection on the state of art, the tools and aims of current research using a specific case (the study of space for imperial cult). The aim of the course is to develop the capacity for analysis and critical re-elaboration of information in relation to the methodological approaches used, to stimulate the ability to manage and manipulate complex data, and to stimulate the development of interdisciplinary research paths.

1. Knowledge and understanding
● Knowleadge of the main sources of information for the study of the Roman provinces (excavation data, field survey, aerial photography, study of the findings of the material culture, study of ecofacts, written sources, iconographic testimonies etc ...).
● To know theories and methods for the study of archaeological data relevant to the course.
● To know the basic archaeological terminology in reference to the cultural sphere of the course.
● To know the fundamentals of the chronological and topographical framing of the Roman provinces.
● To know the basics of architecutural design and planning of space for imperial cult in the Roman Empire
2. Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
● To know how to correctly use the archaeological reference terminology for the course
● To know how to make appropriate chronological and topographical references.
● To know how to evaluate the information potential of archaeological data and establish the most appropriate methods of analysis and elaboration in relation to specific esearch objectives.
● To be able to re-elaborate and connect appropriately the information and knowledge acquired during the course, in order to develop and illustrate simple research paths.

3. Ability to judge
● To konw how to formulate and argue on the issues pertaining to the course, also developing a critical and informed approach to evaluating alternative hypotheses.

4. Communication skills
● To know how to communicate one's own reflections starting from a concrete case study, using an appropriate terminology, also knowing how to interact in debates and moments of group discussion in the classroom.

5. Learning skills
● Be able to take notes and share them in a collaborative way also on the online platform.
● To know how to critically consult the reference texts and the bibliography contained in them.

Having achieved the training goals the course of Greek and Roman Archaeology (B.A. degree) even without necessarily having passed the examination of this course.

1) The space of the imperial cult: definition, genesis and meaning.
2) Early developments and the beginning of imperial cult: case analysis.
3) Space for imperial cult in the eastern provinces: times, dynamics and rituals. Some study cases.
4) Space for imperial cult in the western provinces: times, dynamics and rituals. Some study cases.
5) Army and imperial cult: some insight.
There is NOT a program for non-attending students.

Targeted readings will be recommended in class.

Verification of learning takes place through an oral test. During the test the student must demonstrate knowledge of the topics developed during the course, to know how to expose them at a formal level and to have acquired the ability to correlate research approaches and methodologies in order to arrive from the archaeological data (= the informative potential) to their interpretation (= reconstruction of processes). Critical and argumentative ability will also be evaluated. Questions will be wide-ranging to allow widespread, complex and complex discussions. The student will also have to choose an edited research work to be used in the classroom discussions and then, during the exam, as a specific case study to be critically analysed.

The course is organized in:
a) lectures with the aid of power point presentations;
b) interactive lectures and classroom discussion on selected topics where the students will have to discuss, analyse and report results achieved in the classroom;
c) teaching material available on the moodle.unive.it e-learning platform. To supplement the notes taken in the classroom.

Italian

I) During the whole academic year the classical archeology laboratory connected to teaching (http://virgo.unive.it/archeolab/index.php?it/451/archeologia-classica-i ) offers various opportunities for practical activities processing and manipulation of data in the post-excavation phase, management and computerized processing of archaeological data, documentation and study of finds. Schedules are flexible.
2) Between January and September there will be seminars aimed at implementing the technical-practical skills, specifically aimed at building the profession of the archaeologist, enriching the preparation and competence. These are closed-ended seminars on the recognition, filing, design and computerized processing of ceramics, which include lectures accompanied by practical exercises. For pre-enrollment contact the teacher by e-mail by December 2019.
3) Between May and June 2020 an excavation is planned on the site of Aquileia Roman port - eastern shore with a limited number (http://www.unive.it/pag/32776/ ). To participate in the excavation it is necessary to have obtained the certificate of the safety course, to have a tetanus coverage and to have a medical certificate of good health. For pre-enrollment contact the teacher by e-mail by December 2019.
4) Dissertations: IN ADDITION TOPICS proposed by students, the course offers dissertations linked to the teacher's ongoing research projects and related to the archeology of production, the interaction between man and the environment in ancient times, excavations in progress at Aquileia and aspects of studies of artefacs. Also available dissertations in physical anthropology, using the data related to the study project of the necropolis of Piazza Corrubbio in Verona and the relative findings (human bones, ceramics, glass, metals).

oral

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