SEMITIC PHILOLOGY

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: MARCO MORIGGI

Expected Learning Outcomes

1) Knowledge of the most important issues related to the topic “Middle Aramaic”; 2) knowledge and comprehension of cultural phenomena related to Northern Mesopotamia in Late Antiquity (1st-7th cent. AD); 3) development of advanced reading and interpretative skills of texts in Syriac in both synchronic and diachronic perspectives; 4) communicative skills enabling the student to spread knowledge and expertise in both specialist and non-specialist contexts; 5) development of learning capacities leading to a totally autonomous and self-directed study (Dublin Descriptors 2nd cycle qualification).

Course Structure

Class lectures

Lectures will be taught in English

Required Prerequisites

Basic knowledge of a Semitic language (1st gradute level). Knowledge of the history and documentary evidence of the Semitic languages from 3rd millenium BC to the present day.

Attendance of Lessons

Optional

Detailed Course Content

1) Edessa: Syriac in Late-Antique Aramaic continuum.

2) History of Mar Yahballaha e Rabban Sauma.

Textbook Information

- A. Bausi et al. (eds.), Comparative Oriental Manuscript Studies. An Introduction (Hamburg: Verlag Tredition, 2015), 252-266, 435-439.

- P.G. Borbone (ed.), History of Mar Yahballaha and Rabban Sauma (Hamburg: Verlag Tredition, 2021), 1-52, 69-79, 96-107, 111-119, 143-159, 187-229.

- A. Rigolio, Syriac, in J.B. Lande & D. Feeney (eds.), How Literatures Begin (Princeton & Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2021), 167-190.

- T. Muraoka, Classical Syriac (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2005).

Texts are found in the STUDIUM web platform (access reserved to students).

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	Semitic philology and Syriac: intersections of language and history.	Rigolio 2021
2	The trip of Rabban Sauma and Mar Yahballaha to Jerusalem I	Borbone 2021
3	The trip of Rabban Sauma and Mar Yahballaha to Jerusalem II	Borbone 2021
4	The trip of Rabban Sauma and Mar Yahballaha to Jerusalem III	Borbone 2021
5	Rabban Sauma in Constantinopolis.	Borbone 2021
6	Rabban Sauma in Rome I	Borbone 2021
7	Rabban Sauma in Rome II	Borbone 2021
8	Rabban Sauma in France.	Borbone 2021
9	Mar Yahballaha and the persecution of the Christians in Maragha I	Borbone 2021
10	Mar Yahballaha and the persecution of the Christians in Maragha II	Borbone 2021
11	Mar Yahballaha and the persecution of the Christians in Maragha III	Borbone 2021
12	Mar Yahballaha and the persecution of the Christians in Maragha IV	Borbone 2021
13	The massacre of Arbil's Christians I	Borbone 2021
14	The massacre of Arbil's Christians II	Borbone 2021
15	The massacre of Arbil's Christians III	Borbone 2021
16	The massacre of Arbil's Christians IV	Borbone 2021
17	Textual critic and Syriac texts	Bausi et al. 2015
18	Syriac grammar: a summary based on the texts presented in the course.	Muraoka 2005

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Oral examinations will consist in a discussion of the contents of the course aimed at checking knowledge, reading skills of the texts and contextualization of their contents in the respective historical and linguistic frameworks.

Exams’ typology may be subject to change according to emergencies and/or other concurring events.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

1) Read with correct vocalisation a section of the Syriac text and comment it from the point of view of its grammatical characteristics.

2) Translate a section of the Syriac text and set it in its context from the point of view of text’s plot and syntax.

VERSIONE IN ITALIANO

Corso di laurea magistrale in

Lingue e letterature comparate