HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST II

The course is part of three Bachelor’s degree programs:
1) CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ACTIVITIES [FT1]: The course is among the core educational activities of the Archaeology curriculum. The 12-credit exam consists of two 6 CFU modules, namely: HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST I (6 out of 12 CFU) [FT0201] + HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST II (6 out of 12 CFU) [FT0201]

2) HUMANITIES [FT3]: The course (6 CFU) is among the related and supplementary educational activities of the Ancient Studies curriculum.

3) HISTORY [FT5]: The course is among the related and supplementary educational activities of the Ancient and Medieval Mediterranean History curriculum.

The main objective of this course is to provide an in-depth study of a monographic theme related to the institutions, economic aspects, and socio-cultural features of the civilizations of the Ancient Near East.
By the end of the course, the student will have acquired in-depth knowledge of the sources and research methodology used to study Near Eastern sources of historical interest. In particular, the student will be able to:
- Understand the main characteristics of historiography in the Ancient Near East and its development from the mid-third to the first millennium BCE;
- Analyze historiographical texts and commemorative inscriptions within their political, social, and ideological contexts;
- Distinguish the different forms of historical narration (chronicles, annals, synchronic and diachronic lists, etc.) and their functions;
- Apply a critical approach to primary sources.

Additionally, the student will be informed about the current state of research and reference bibliography and will become familiar with the available digital resources. Furthermore, the course aims to ensure that the student:
a) Practices discussing historical topics to strengthen critical thinking skills;
b) Learns to collect, analyze, and organize documentation for research purposes;
c) Develops the ability to formulate questions regarding the nature and reliability of sources.

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 the course is "The second half of ancient Near Eastern history". The course offers an in-depth exploration of various thematic areas introduced in the first module, which are examined here in greater detail. These include: settlement patterns, migrations, technological innovations, culture, laws, literature, and religion. Each of these topics will be addressed through a case study, structured over two or three lectures.

For students who are not able to read Italian, the following readings in English and French are suggested:

Van De Mieroop, M. 2004: A History of the Ancient Near East, ca. 300-323 BC. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing.

Bordreuil, P. – Briquel-Chatonnet, F. – Michel, C. (édd.) 2008: Les débuts de l'histoire. Paris : Éditions de la Martinière.

Further readings to be assigned in class.

Oral exam focusing on the main topics addressed in class.

oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

Assessment is based on the following criteria:
- Understanding and knowledge of course content (max 18 points out of 30, 60% of the total)
- Critical analysis of sources (max 6 points out of 30, 20% of the total)
- Clear and coherent exposition (max 6 points out of 30, 20% of the total)

Grading Scale:
30 with honors – Outstanding: in-depth and comprehensive knowledge of the topics, strong critical analysis and historical contextualization, clear, precise, and well-structured exposition.
28-30 – Excellent: solid preparation, good ability to synthesize and analyze, correct exposition with only a few minor inaccuracies.
25-27 – Good: adequate knowledge of the topics, clear exposition but with some uncertainties or minor gaps.
21-24 – Satisfactory: general understanding of the topics covered, with some inaccuracies and difficulties in argumentation.
18-20 – Sufficient: basic knowledge of the topics, simple exposition with several gaps and limited critical ability.
<18 – Insufficient: inadequate knowledge, difficulties in argumentation and exposition, inability to contextualize the topics discussed.

Students are encouraged to actively participate in discussions on the topics covered, including by asking questions that contribute to a better understanding of the course content.

Public lectures. Sources and other materials will be provided through Power Point presentation or handouts. Discussion of specific topics will be carried out with attending students. An overview of digital sources and applications relevant to the field will be also given in the lectures.