Learning outcomes
The goal of the course is to have the students acquainted with the basic notions on the institutional, politic, social and cultural history of the Ancient Near Eastern regions in the pre-classical period.
Course contents
2nd part:
1. Aspects of society, religion and culture. The cuneiform script
2. The stranger and the other in the Ancient Near East
In addition:
Introductory course to Akkadian language (optional)
A short course of lectures on history of art of the ancient near East (introduction)
Reccomended or required readings
M. Liverani, Antico Oriente. Storia società economia, Laterza, Roma-Bari 1988 (o edizioni successive), Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12-22; due capitoli a scelta tra: 23, 27, 28, 29, 31; Epilogo.
Other bibl. references: M. Liverani, Uruk, La prima città, Roma-Bari 1998; J. Bottéro, Mesopotamia, Torino 1990, in particolare pp. 53-106 (on he cuneiform script); W. von Soden, Introduzione all’orientalistica antica, Brescia 1989; P. Matthiae, Prima lezione di archeologia orientale, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2005.
For students who are not able to attend the classes: the book of M. Liverani, Antico Oriente. Storia società economia (see above); one of the volumes listed above.
2nd part (b): references will be given during class