About this course: Which are the deepest roots of that mix of cultures that we use to call ‘Mediterranean Civilization’? Which are comminglings and exchanges which produced its most complete fruit, i.e. the city, a place for landscape-modelling communities? And which elements did contribute to build up that baulk of customs, ideas, and innovations which compelled to confrontation and hybridizations different peoples for millennia? What did it made, from pottery to metallurgy, from gastronomy to architecture, from art to religion, of a sea a cradle of civilization? Archaeology may help in disentangling such questions, seeking unexpected answers , by tinkering what ancient Mediterranean peoples left buried in the ground. A privileged point of view of our course is the ancient Phoenician city of Motya, located exactly at the centre of the “sea in the middle”. Throughout the live experience of excavation, with images taken on the field, this course will let you touch the many tesserae of the great mosaic of the Mediterranean Civilization. The field diary of the archaeologist, and the handpick will be the two tools, which will lead us across the sea to discover what such early cities actually were, and how their contribute is still a major part of our shared memory.
Who is this class for: The course is offered to a general well educated public, basically interested in the history and archaeology of ancient Mediterranean, with a novel approach, inspired by most recent and updated results of field research.
Created by: Sapienza University of Rome
Taught by: Lorenzo Nigro, Prof.
Facoltà di Lettere e Filosofia
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Towards the West
4 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Into the West
WEEK 2
Concept of the city
3 videos, 1 reading
Graded: The idea of the city
WEEK 3
Discovering Motya
3 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Discovering Motya
WEEK 4
Life and Ideology
3 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Ideology and Life
WEEK 5
Stars sparkling in the waters
4 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Stars sparkling in the water
WEEK 6
An Identity to share
3 videos, 1 reading
Graded: An identity to share
WEEK 7
A changing society
3 videos, 1 reading
Graded: A changing society
WEEK 8
Portrait of an harbour city
3 videos, 1 reading
Graded: Picture of a city
Graded: Final Quiz
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Sapienza University of Rome
Sapienza University of Rome, founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII, is the oldest University in Rome and the largest in Europe.
Since its founding over 700 years ago, Sapienza has played an important role in Italian history and has been directly involved in key changes and developments in society, economics and politics. It has contributed to the development of Italian and European science and culture in all areas of knowledge.
The main campus, designed by Marcello Piacentini, was opened in 1935. It is situated close to the city centre, and is the largest in Europe - a real city within a city where teaching activities are integrated with libraries and museums as well as comprehensive student services. Faculties and Departments also carry out their activities in decentralized locations in different parts of the city. There are two other university campuses elsewhere in Lazio.
Sapienza offers a vast array of courses including degree programmes, PhD courses, one to two year professional courses, and Specialization Schools in many disciplines, run by 63 Departments and 11 Faculties.
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