The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and methods necessary to acquire the ability to analyze and critically reflect on the tradition related to Magna Graecia and Sicily. Starting from the notion of Megale Hellas as defined in a problematic passage by Strabo, the course will follow the lines of development of Western Greek History, considering Southern Italy and Sicily as a single "environment" gravitating around the Strait of Messina, from the time of the foundation of apoikiai to the encounter with Rome. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between Greek colonizers and indigenous populations (the "Others", according to a recent definition), as well as to the often tumultuous relations with cities in mainland Greece, focusing research on crucial moments when these intersections become particularly evident.

Magna Graecia (and Sicily).

The course will retrace the salient moments of Greek history in Magna Graecia and Sicily through the analysis and interpretation of literary, epigraphic, archaeological, and numismatic sources.

There are no specific prerequisites, but it is highly recommended to have passed the exam of Greek History in the three-year degree course. Nevertheless, a review of the fundamental lines of development of Greek History would be advisable.

Knowledge: Knowledge of the main dynamics of the political, social, religious, and economic history of the classical Greek world and their chronological contexts.

Critical Thinking: Ability to critically and comparatively analyze the contents of sources and their genesis.

Communication Skills: Clear and comprehensive communication, demonstrating versatility in the historical and critical framing of literary, archaeological, epigraphic, and numismatic testimonies.

Course Objectives: The course aims to consolidate and deepen the knowledge and methodologies of historical and philological analysis acquired by students during their undergraduate studies, both for possible employment in publishing houses, public and private research and cultural institutions, foundations, and academia, and in view of potential admission to PhD programs.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

No support activities are provided.

Teaching

Lectures, supplemented by student-led laboratory sessions.

Innovative teaching methods

Flipped classroom and peer learning during laboratory activities.

Attendance

Attendance is not mandatory, but highly recommended.

Course books

- D. MUSTI, La nozione di Megale Hellas e il pitagorismo, in Magna Grecia. Il quadro storico, Roma-Bari 2005, Editori Laterza, pp. 103-203.

- L. DEL MONACO, Iscrizioni greche d’Italia. Locri, Roma 2013, Edizioni Quasar, pp. 13-32.

- L. DEL MONACO, Camarina. Organizzazione pubblica di una città greca di Sicilia, Roma 2025, Edizioni Tored, pp. 53-97.

Assessment

Oral Exam. The oral exam consists of several questions on the study texts and sources discussed during the lessons, aimed at evaluating both the learning of the contents and the ability to elaborate and argue critically. During the lessons, the texts that require knowledge of Greek will be indicated, as well as those for which reading in translation is sufficient; however, it is necessary to refer to the specific terms used in the original texts and to understand their actual value. A historical and geographical atlas should be used to locate sites and regions mentioned.

Assessment Criteria

- Excellent grades: possession of good critical thinking and in-depth analysis skills; ability to connect the main topics covered in the course; use of language appropriate to the discipline's specificity.
- Good grades: possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; relative critical thinking and ability to connect topics; use of appropriate language.
- Passing grades: acquisition of a minimal knowledge of the topics covered, despite some formative gaps; use of non-appropriate language.
- Failing grades: difficulty in orienting oneself with respect to the topics covered in the exam texts; formative gaps; use of non-appropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Self-study.

Attendance

Agree on the program with the teacher during a meeting to be scheduled via email.

Course books

- D. MUSTI, La nozione di Megale Hellas e il pitagorismo, in Magna Grecia. Il quadro storico, Roma-Bari 2005, Editori Laterza, pp. 103-203.

- L. DEL MONACO, Iscrizioni greche d’Italia. Locri, Roma 2013, Edizioni Quasar, pp. 13-32.

- L. DEL MONACO, Camarina. Organizzazione pubblica di una città greca di Sicilia, Roma 2025, Edizioni Tored, pp. 53-97.

- M. GIANGIULIO, Magna Grecia. Una storia mediterranea, Roma 2021, Carocci editore.

- S. DE VIDO, Le guerre di Sicilia, Roma 2013, Carocci editore.

Assessment

Oral Exam. The oral exam consists of several questions on the study texts, aimed at evaluating both the learning of the contents and the ability to elaborate and argue critically. The instructor will provide handouts containing some literary and epigraphic sources useful for studying the texts. A historical and geographical atlas should be used to locate sites and regions mentioned.

Assessment Criteria:

- Excellent grades: possession of good critical thinking and in-depth analysis skills; ability to connect the main topics covered in the course; use of language appropriate to the discipline's specificity.
- Good grades: possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; relative critical thinking and ability to connect topics; use of appropriate language.
- Passing grades: acquisition of a minimal knowledge of the topics covered, despite some formative gaps; use of non-appropriate language.
- Failing grades: difficulty in orienting oneself with respect to the topics covered in the exam texts; formative gaps; use of non-appropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

- Attending the course is highly recommended.
- For the exam, it is essential, both for attending and non-attending students, to have an in-depth knowledge of the sources discussed during the course.
- Some of the Greek and Latin sources, indicated by the instructor, must be read in the original language and translated, which will be particularly appreciated during the evaluation. Students who are not in Classical Letters and do not know Greek and Latin will take the exam with sources translated into Italian.
- The teaching material (literary and epigraphic sources) provided during the lessons will be available on Moodle, both for attending and non-attending students.