The Greeks, the Romans, and the "Others"
Prerequisiti
Both "ordinari" (BA-Ma students) and "perfezionandi" (PhD candidates) are eligible to participate in the teaching course. The course is structured in a way that allows students at any level to participate and to access information that is typically not included in university textbooks. While Module 1 is only mandatory for "ordinari" students, the attendance of the "perfezionandi" is also encouraged. During these initial classes, we will introduce topics that will be discussed in greater detail in the subsequent two modules. Therefore, it should be considered a preliminary introduction.
Programma
The field of intercultural relations has consistently been regarded as a crucial area of study for exploring the structures of social relationships. Each people defines its own identity, delineating the boundaries between the self and the other. In antiquity, the "Others" par excellance wer the individuas of foreign provenance. However, within the microcosm of each city or kingdom, the term "other" was also applied to those considered "aliens" (e.g., women and slaves). The concept of "otherness" was not solely attributed to the foreign origin of these individuals, but also to their lack of alignment with the characteristics prescribed by a specific culture and era. These criteria of otherness and similarity underwent shifts over time, influenced by political changes. They could shape patterns of inclusion, exclusion, and power. The teaching course employs case studies to explore the following topics between the archaic and the imperial period:
- Who were the "others" and what role did they play in ancient societies;
- The representation of these individuals or their representation by others;
- The evolution of their image over time;
- The genesis, nature, and role of intercultural relations, including the establishment, transformation, and perception of these relationships within the communities involved.
The analysis encompasses both the Greek and Roman societies. Nevertheless, it is also provides a platform for the voices of other ancient cultures. In order to address this issue, we will utilise any available primary source, although it should be noted that this can sometimes present certain challenges. Such sources include historical and literary texts. The objective is to identify the evidence of intercultural relations in the material culture of the communities concerned. This will include an examination of architectural and artistic products in the civil and religious contexts, both in public and private settings. Particular attention will be paid to funerary culture. Secondary sources are also of great importance, including the studies of traditional and contemporary international scholarship on this topic. It is crucial to be aware of the limitations and contributions of past studies in order to interpret these phenomena. They have been significantly influenced by modern ideologies, including European imperialism, Nazi-fascism, and modern nationalism.
A distinctive feature of this course is its comprehensive geographical scope, encompassing an ultra- Mediterranean dimension. The analysis will include cultures, such as the Thracians, the Dacians, and the communities in the Black Sea region, that are situated beyond the Mediterranean.
The programme addresses the following issues:
- What is the meaning of studying ancient intercultural relationships in the 21st century?
- What is the meaning of the concepts of culture, difference, diversity, identity, otherness, ethnicity, Ellenisation, Romanisation, glocalisation and globalisation?
- Are these concepts applicable to ancient cultures?
- To what extent can we consider mythology as an instrument of intercultural mediation?
- How intercultural relations operated in a so-called "frontier zone"?
- What was the function of emporia and sanctuaries in the context of intercultural relationships?
- What were the characteristics of the foreign populations that settled in ancient societies? How and why did they migrate or moved? What were their roles and how were they perceived by the "indigenous" populations?
Obiettivi formativi
The principal objective of Module 1 is to establish the methodological and theoretical foundations for the study of ancient intercultural relations. Additionally, it aims also to develop the skills necessary for conducting research in these fields.
More specifically, the teaching aims to provide students with:
- Knowledge of the scientific terminology employed in the study of the social phenomena explored, based on in depth-knowledge of traditional and contemporary scholarship in the fields of ancient history, archaeology and social science.
- An understanding of the primary and secondary sources that enables scholars to trace the genesis and evolution of intercultural relations from the archaic to the Imperial periods. Awareness of how methods and approaches to the study of intercultural relationships have changed over time, knowledge of which methods and approaches prevail today, and the importance of maintaining a critical approach when considering these methods.
- The ability to identify the presence of foreign elements within a culture and to quantify the extent to which another culture has been absorbed and/or adapted as a consequence of intercultural interactions.
- Knowledge of the various categories of “Others”, including the historical factors that have shaped ancient mobility and migration Knoweledge of how the “Others presented themselseves, and were represented by others.
- Knowledge of the role that the “Others” played in the ancient culture.
Skills to be developed include:
MAKING JUDGEMENTS: The capacity to evaluate and interpret evidence of intercultural relations in an objective and impartial manner, free from preconceptions and biases.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS: clarity of presentation and mastery of appropriate disciplinary vocabulary applied to the description and study of ancient intercultural phenomena.
LEARNING SKILLS: understanding and ability to utilise existing tools for the independent study of intercultural relations.
Riferimenti bibliografici
During the lectures, the convenor will provide students with the appropriate academic reading material for further study on the various topics covered.
Moduli
| Modulo | Ore | CFU | Docenti |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modulo 1: L'ellenizzazione, la romanizzazione, le relazioni interculturali nel mondo antico. Modelli interpretativi di ieri e di oggi (per ordinari) | 20 | 3 | Consuelo Manetta |
| Modulo 2: I Greci, i Romani e gli "altri" (per ordinari e PhD) | 20 | 3 | Consuelo Manetta |