SEMITIC PHILOLOGY

Development of reading and interpretative skills of epigraphic texts in one Semitic language from the historical point of view; knowledge of the most relevant contents and methodologies of Semitic epigraphy; knowledge of the main trends of the scholarly discussion about Phoenician and Old Aramaic inscriptions in Syria-Palaestina between the end of the 2nd and the beginning of the 1st millennium BC.

Lessons will be taught in English and the course aims at: development of reading and interpretative skills of epigraphic texts in one Semitic language from the historical point of view; knowledge of the most relevant contents and methodologies of Semitic epigraphy; knowledge of the main trends of the scholarly discussion about Phoenician and Old Aramaic inscriptions in Syria-Palaestina between the end of the 2nd and the beginning of the 1st millennium BC.

1) Introduction to Semitic Epigraphy (1 CFU): history of scholarship, a geographical and historical overview on epigraphic Semitic languages.

2) Voices from ancient stones (5 CFU): Phoenician and Old Aramaic; consonantal alphabet and local cultures in the Near East between the 2nd and the 1st millennium B.C. Reading and analysis of texts.

Lessons will be taught in English.

- J. Naveh, Early History of the Alphabet, The Magnes Press/Brill, Jerusalem-Leiden 1982, pp. 1-100.

- J.C.L. Gibson, Textbook of Syrian Semitic Inscriptions, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1975, II (Aramaic Inscriptions), pp. 1-4, 6-17.

- J.C.L. Gibson, Textbook of Syrian Semitic Inscriptions, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1982, III (Phoenician Inscriptions), pp. 12-16, 17-19, 30-39.

- W. Röllig, ‘Phoenician and Punic’, in S. Weninger (ed.), Semitic Languages: An International Handbook, De Gruyter, Berlin-Boston 2011, pp. 472-479.

- F.M. Fales, ‘Old Aramaic’, in S. Weninger (ed.), Semitic Languages: An International Handbook, De Gruyter, Berlin-Boston 2011, pp. 555-573.

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.

Part of the bibliography and additional course material will be provided by the professor via STUDIUM UNICT.