PAPYROLOGY

The Papirologia course is an optional teaching of the Master's degree in "Scienze dell'antichità: letterature, storia e archeologia".
This course provides students with the necessary training to learn how to read Greek papyri and, therefore, to use and analyze these documentary and literary sources in the original form in which they were transmitted.

By the end of the course the students will have acquired:
- Basic knowledge and understanding of the various fields of papyrology (documentary, literary, digital and Herculaneum)
- Knowledge and understanding of the writing materials used in antiquity, and of the forms of the ancient book (papyri, ostraca and tablets of Egyptian origin)
- Knowledge and understanding of the different types of papyrus documents
- Ability to judge the editions of papyrus and the different types of writings in documentary and literary papyri
- Ability to apply this knowledge to the analysis and edition of a papyrus text
- Communicative ability to present the results in the standard scientific forms of the critical and digital edition

Basic knowledge of classic Greek.

The course will address the following topics:
- Outlines of the Papyrology history
- Writing supports, materials and writing instruments used in the Greek and Roman civilization.
- Contribution of papyri to knowledge of classical literature and Greek and Roman civilization.
- Reading, transcribing and editing a papyrus text
- Traditional and digital bibliographical tools
Reading and commentary of digitised copies of papyri are expected.

Non-attending students are required to contact the lecturer for a supplementary program
Mandatory bibliography
E.G. Turner, Papiri greci, ed. italiana a c. di M. Manfredi, Roma: Carocci, 2002.
Further materials will be provided in Moodle.

Recommended additional bibliography
- G. Cavallo, La scrittura greca e latina dei papiri. Una introduzione, Roma: Fabrizio Serra Editore, 2008.
- P. Parsons, La scoperta di Ossirinco. La vita quotidiana in Egitto al tempo dei Romani, Roma: Carocci 2014.
- R.S. Bagnall, Papiri e storia antica, ed. it. a cura di M. Capasso, Roma: Bardi 2007.
- H. Blanck, Il libro nel mondo antico, ed.it. a cura di R. Otranto, Bari: Dedalo 2008.
- O. Montevecchi, La Papirologia, Vita e Pensiero, Milano 1988 (pp. 3-25; 66-72; 139-148; 152-161; 165-173; 177-233).

The exam will consist of a written test consisting of a transcription paper and 10 open-ended questions that will focus on the textbook, texts and topics covered in the course. For 6 questions, a short notion-type answer is expected, and for the other 4, a medium-length answer requiring good critical thinking skills. The use of vocabulary is allowed.

The lessons will be carried out in the conventional way, including through active participation of students with practical exercises. Attendance is strongly recommended.

Italian

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