Egyptology
Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: NICOLA GIOVANNI LANERIExpected Learning Outcomes
The study of the religious practices of ancient Near Eastern societies aims at developing a better knowledge of how to interpret ancient material culture for the students interested in following an academic path in the field of archaeology. Moreover, the subjects investigated during the course will be useful for a collaborating with national and international museum environments.
Course Structure
The course will be based on lectures with an intense interaction with students through individual presentations that will be followed by thematic essays.
Required Prerequisites
Detailed Course Content
The Egyptology course will aim to deepen the study of Near Eastern and Egyptian societies from prehistoric times to the end of the first millennium BC. In particular, the course will focus on the analysis of archaeological data and textual evidence related to the construction of the religious dimension of these societies.
Textbook Information
- Kaniuth K. Et al. (2013). Temple im Alten Orient. Harrassowitz. Circa 80 pagine estratte dai vari contributi al volume. (i.e., Pp. 33-48; 283-310; 385-406; 427-444)
- Laneri N. (a cura di, 2014) Defining the Sacred. Approaches to the archaeology of religion in the Near East Oxbow Books, Oxford. Pp. 1-250.
- Mander P. (2009). La Religione dell’Antica Mesopotamia. Carocci. Pp. 1-174.
- Oggiano I. (2005). Dal terreno al divino. Archeologia del culto nella Palestina del Primo Millennio. Carocci. Pp. 1-294.
Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.
For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).
All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.
Course Planning
| Subjects | Text References | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The beginning of religious practices: The Neolithic period | Laneri N. (a cura di, 2014) Defining the Sacred.Approaches to the archaeology of religion in the Near East Oxbow Books, Oxford. Pp.1-100 |
| 2 | Temples and the beginning of polytheism | Kaniuth K. Et al. (2013). Temple im Alten Orient. Harrassowitz, pp. 1-100 |
| 3 | Religion in Ancient mesopotamia | Mander P. (2009). La Religione dell’Antica Mesopotamia. Carocci. Pp. 1-174. |
| 4 | Religious practices in other regions of the ancient Near East during the third and second millennia BC | Laneri N. (a cura di, 2014) Defining the Sacred.Approaches to the archaeology of religion in the Near East Oxbow Books, Oxford. Pp.100-250 |
| 5 | The Levant and the rising of the israelite monotheism | Oggiano I. (2005). Dal terreno al divino. Archeologia del culto nella Palestina del Primo Millennio. Carocci. Pp. 1-294 |
Learning Assessment
Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises
What is the significance of human sacrifice between Egyptian and Mesopotamian / Near Eastern societies?
Highlight the similarities between Egyptian eroticism of the end of the second millennium (Akhenaten) and biblical monotheism