STORIA DELLA SICILIA ANTICA
Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: CRISTINA SORACIExpected Learning Outcomes
The expected learning outcomes, according to the Dublin descriptors, are as follows
Knowledge and understanding (DD1)
- Know the theories and historical models for interpreting the events of ancient Sicily;
- Know the theories useful for understanding the political, economic and social dynamics of the ancient world.
Knowledge and applied understanding (DD2)
- Know and be able to analyse the sources (literary, legal, epigraphic and archaeological) on the history of ancient Sicily;
- Link theoretical and methodological content to the interpretation of past, present and future events and processes;
- Know how to apply the methodology of historical research in order to achieve educational objectives.
Autonomy of judgement (DD3)
- Evaluate the relevance of theories studied for the interpretation of events;
- Know how to develop, formulate and argue proposals for change and transformation in the field of tourism, starting from the observation of case studies.
Communication skills (DD4)
- Being able to justify, both orally and in writing, the objectives, procedures and methodologies for the promotion of Sicilian heritage in the field of tourism.
Learning skills (DD5)
- Knowing how to identify unexpected research results and their possible developments in terms of methodology and impact.
Course Structure
Frontal and interactive lessons in Italian; however, some topics may be dealt with in English, French or German.
Depending on the evolution of the epidemiological situation, guided visits to places of particular tourist interest are planned.
Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it. Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements.
Required Prerequisites
The student must know the correspondence between years and centuries (e.g. 264 BC is part of the third century BC).
The student must have a basic cultural background in the field of the historical geography of Europe, Asia and North Africa.
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
Sources on the history of ancient Sicily
Greek colonisation of Sicily
The first Sicilian tyrants: Panezio, Falaride and the tyrannies of Selinunte, Gela and Syracuse
The so-called "democratic interlude"
Dionysius the Elder and his successors
Timoleon in Sicily
The reign of Agathocles
Pyrrhus in Sicily
Hieron II
Sicily during the Punic Wars
The Roman province of Sicily: administration, urban organisation and tax system
The island in the second century BC: reconstruction and building fervour; servile wars
Verres' propraetorship. The Verrines
Ius Latii and Roman citizenship in Sicilian cities
Sextus Pompey and Sicily
The Augustan period in Sicily
The administrative status of Sicilian cities in the imperial period: colonies, communes, populations of Latin law and stipendiarii
The meaning of the term stipendiarii
Sicily between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD: the importance of wheat, building renovation; the villas
Emperor Hadrian and Sicily
The Severian era
The empire of Gallienus and banditry
Christianity
The great estates of Sicily during the Empire
Late antique villas
The barbarian invasions
Textbook Information
General course: Sicily from the Archaic age to the Roman age
L. Braccesi- G. Millino, La Sicilia greca, Carocci, Roma 20103.
C. Soraci, La Sicilia romana, Carocci, Roma 2016.
Students may choose to study one or more of the following papers in English, French or Spanish:
J.M. Puebla Morón, Paisajes sagrados: representación de lugares de culto en la moneda griega de Sicilia, «Antesteria», 5, 2016, pp. 99-110;
E. Zambon, From Agathocles to Hieron II: the birth and development of basileia in Hellenistic Sicily, in S. Lewis (ed.), Ancient tyranny, Edinburgh 2006, pp. 77-92 (replace pages 169-191 of Braccesi-Millino's text);
S. Pittia, J. Dubouloz, La Sicile romaine, de la disparition du royaume de Hiéron II à la réorganisation augustéenne des provinces, «Pallas», 80, 2009, pp. 85-125 (replace pages 44-71 of Soraci's text);
R.J.A. Wilson, Roman villas in Sicily, in A. Marzano e G. Métraux (eds.), The Roman villa in the Mediterranean basin. Late Republic to Late Antiquity, Cambridge 2018, pp. 195-219 (replace pages 140-145 of Soraci's text).
Erasmus students, working students or second cycle degree students who have chosen this course can arrange more in-depth programmes with the teacher.
Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
---|---|---|---|---|
L. Braccesi- G. Millino | La Sicilia greca | Carocci | 2010 | 9788843017027 |
C. Soraci | La Sicilia romana | Carocci | 2016 | 9788843082261 |
Course Planning
Subjects | Text References | |
---|---|---|
1 | Greek colonization in Sicily | Braccesi-Millino, pp. 13-47 |
2 | The first tyrants | Braccesi-Millino, pp. 49-101 |
3 | The years after the tyrants | Braccesi-Millino, pp. 103-128 |
4 | Dionysius the Elder, Dionysius the Younger, Timoleon and Agathocles | Braccesi-Millino, pp. 131-178 |
5 | Pyrrhus and Hieron II | Braccesi-Millino, pp. 181-191 and Soraci, pp. 13-27 |
6 | The first and the second Punic war; the organization of the province | Soraci, pp. 29-41 and 44-58 |
7 | Sicily in the second century B.C. | Soraci, pp. 60-80 |
8 | The first century B.C. and the Augustan era | Soraci, pp. 84-109 |
9 | Sicily between I and III century A.D. | Soraci, pp. 112-131 |
10 | The transformations of IV and V century A.D. | Soraci, pp. 137-148 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
The examination consists of an oral examination.
On the first part of the programme (from the Greek colonisation to the Pyrrhic expedition) there will be optional in itinere conversations.
Those who pass the in itinere conversation with a mark of at least 18/30 may be examined on the remainder of the programme in one of the official examination sessions of the immediately following session. The final evaluation will take into account the mark obtained in the conversation. Students who have not obtained a mark of 18/30 in the aforementioned presentation may, at their option, repeat it on a date to be agreed with the teacher or be examined on the whole programme during the official examination.
The evaluation will take into account
- the relevance of the answers given
- the richness of the content
- the ability to relate to other topics in the programme
- the ability to express oneself
- lexical accuracy.
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
Greek colonisation in Sicily
The first Sicilian tyrants
The so-called "democratic interlude"
Dionysius the Elder
Dionysius the Younger
Timoleon in Sicily
The reign of Agathocles
Pyrrhus in Sicily
Hieron II
Sicily during the Punic Wars
The Roman province of Sicily: administration, urban organisation and tax system
The island in the second century BC: reconstruction and building fervour; servile wars
Verres' propraetorship. The Verrines
Ius Latii and Roman citizenship in Sicilian cities
Sextus Pompey and Sicily
The Augustan period in Sicily
The administrative status of Sicilian cities in the imperial period: colonies, municipalities, populations of Latin law and stipendiarii
The meaning of the term stipendiarii
Sicily between the 1st and 2nd centuries AD: the importance of wheat, building renovation; the villas
Emperor Hadrian and Sicily
The Severian era
The empire of Gallienus and banditry
Christianity
The great estates of Sicily during the Empire
Late antique villas
The barbarian invasions