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: "Introduction to ancient Near Eastern Economic History". The course focuses on the developments of Near Eastern economic history, with particular emphasis on the formative phase, spanning from the end of the fourth millennium (first urbanization) to the beginning of the second (regional states). Textual sources and archaeological data will be cross-referenced in order to investigate broad themes, including: the articulation of early financial systems, circulation of precious metals, trade, the issue of the 'market,' price fluctuations, modes of production and resource management.

Selected readings from:
- D’Agostino, F. (ed.) 2013. L’economia dell’antica Mesopotamia (III-I millennio a.C.): Per un dialogo interdisciplinare. Roma.
- Hudson, M., van de Mieroop, M. (eds.) 2002. Debt and economic renewal in the ancient Near East. Bethesda.
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:

Ancient Egyptian civilization,
Anthropology of Images in the Eastern Mediterranean,
Archaeology of Anatolia and the Caucasus,
Archaeology of Syro-Mesopotamia,
Archeology of the Levant,
Literature of the ancient Near East,
Semitic philology,
Syro-Mesopotamian archaeology

written and oral

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Circular economy, innovation, work" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development