HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST II

The class of "History of the Ancient Near East II" is framed into both the History, and the Humanities curricula ("Corso di Laurea Triennale in Storia" and "Corso di Laurea Triennale in Lettere"). Its main goal is to provide an in-depth analysis of a monographic subject of study concerning institutions and ecomic, social, and cultural aspects of Ancient Near Eastern civilizations.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired a basic knowledge of the historical sources pertaining to the Ancient Near East, along with an up-to-date methodology for addressing a specific subject in this field of study. They will also be informed about historiography, bibliography and available digital resources.
During the course, students are also expected to:
a) participate with their colleagues in open discussions about historical issues in order to consolidate their critical capacities;
b) learn to collect, analyse and organize the documentation in view of a specific research project;
c) raise questions regarding the nature and reliability of the sources;
d) acquire the ability to write a short essay or exercise on an agreed subject and to present their results to their colleagues.

No specific prerequisit is required; a basic knowledge of the History of the Ancient Near East is necessary and can be acquired through a few readings that will be suggested at the beginning of classes.

The title of this course is “A thousand years of ‘urban revolution’”. The classes will focus on large-scale historical phenomena, which lead to the emergence of the so-called first urbanization in the Ancient Near East, with special regards to the period in between the late fourth and early third millennia BCE. The goal is to reach a better understanding of the relationship between humans and their environment, social changes, settling patterns, and technological innovations (including the invention of writing) that impacted on the rise of the first city. The course offers an in-depth review of primary sources (both archaeological and epigraphic in nature), as well as the main methodological approaches for their analysis. Students might use the newly acquired knowledge and skills in order to approach historical issues of later periods, in comparative view.

Liverani, M. 2007: Uruk, the first City. London / Oakville: Equinox.
Algaze, G. 2008: Ancient Mesopotamia at the Dawn of Civilization: The Evolution of an Urban Landscape. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Oral presentation of a short essay on a topic assigned in class. For those students who cannot attend classes, alternative readings will be assigned upon request.

Public lectures; sources and materials will be made available to the students. Analysis and discussion in class of selected sources. Exploration of on-line resources.

Italian

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

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