B008276 - GREEK HISTORY

A- Islands in the historical-geographical tradition

The course will explain the description and the meaning of islands in the historical-literary sources.
During the course we will read selecyed texts to understand the approach of greek and latin sources to the geographical space and what kind of roll islands palyed in the historical narration.

Diodorus of Sicily, Library (Book V )
Strabo, Geography (Selected texts)
Plinius, Naturalis historia (Selected texts).

The course aims to introduce students in the history of the geographical thought trough the study of ancient sources (Diodorus, Strabo..). In particular students should utilize a critical approach to the ancient tradition and to the modern historiography
Discussion on greek and latin texts and on modern interpretation is intended to the maturity of the students. They will take an active part in the course trough individual investigations to develop an indipendent thought and a debating ability.

Knowledge of Greek and Latin.

Lectures with frequent discussions.

The final exam aims to ascertain the acquisition of knowledge and skills through an oral discussion on texts in Greek and Latin analyzed during the lessons. Through the study of recommended texts and related to different themes dealt, the student will demonstrate to have acquired the skills required for a higher university level of knowledge of Greek history. In particular, will be evaluated student's ability to contextualize and to analyze critically, through the ancient sources, historical and historiographical problems.

S. Bianchetti, Geografia storica del mondo antico, Bologna 2008.
F. Borca, Terra mari cincta: insularità e cultura romana, Roma 2000.