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 sources and methodologies in the field of Ancient Near Eastern history, as well as to develop independent research.

At the end of the course, the student will be able to critically approach ancient sources, as well as to apply current methodologies in their analysis. In addition, the student will be able to develop independent research in the field of Ancient Near Eastern history. He or she will practice the newly acquired skills and knowledge by writing a short scientific paper on a topic related to the course, to be agreed upon with the teacher.

A general knowledge of the history of the Ancient Near East is recommended. This might be acquired through a series of individual readings provided by the teacher at the beginning of classes, and tailored on the student’s academic experience.

Title: "The Early Dynastic Period in Mesopotamia and Syria". The course offers an in-depth analysis of major developments in terms of political, social and economic history, during the formative phase of the city-state system in the Ancient Near East (ca. 2900-2350 BCE). Textual sources will be cross-checked against archaeological data, in order to achieve a better understanding of large scale phenomena, such as: land management, primary production, social structure, commerce, artistic and literary production, royal and religious ideology, as well as cultural contacts within major ancient near eastern civilizations (Sumerian, Akkadian, and Eblaite civilizations).

Frayne D., 2008, Pre-Sargonic Period (2700-2350 BC). The Royal Inscriptions of Mesopotamia, Early Periods 1. Toronto / Buffalo / London: University of Toronto Press.
Further references will be given during the class.
For students unable to attend classes, further texts shall be assigned.

- notes and materials from the classes
- class discussion on selected topics
- written assignment (short scientific paper)

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

Italian

Students may also be interested in the following classes:
Assyriology MA
Archaeology of Caucasus
Archaeology of the Levant
Egyptology MA

written and oral