1/162 - History of the Ancient Near East

courses
ID:
1/162
Duration (hours):
54
CFU:
9
SSD:
History of Ancient Near East
Located in:
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"
Url:
ANCIENT CULTURES AND ARCHAEOLOGY: ASIA, AFRICA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN/Percorso comune Year: 2
ANCIENT CULTURES AND ARCHAEOLOGY: ASIA, AFRICA AND THE MEDITERRANEAN/Percorso comune Year: 1
Oriental and African Languages and Cultures/Percorso Comune Year: 1
Year:
2025

Overview

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)

Syllabus

Course Objectives

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course aims to introduce students to the main historical dynamics of the ancient Near East in the age between the first urbanization (4th millennium BCE) and the development of the first empires (1st millennium BCE). Students are expected to acquire an adequate knowledge of the historical phenomena and geography of the ancient Near East as well as of the socio-political structures and ideological expressions that were developed.


Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Students will be able to discuss the sources and to apply the methodological approaches addressed during the course. Students are required to gain knowledge of the main events that interested the ancient Near East from the 4th to the 1st mill. BCE and to place them in their socio-cultural framework by using documentary evidence appropriately.



Further expected learning outcomes

Autonomy of judgement:

Students are expected to develop a critical approach to sources relating to the history and civilizations of the ancient Near East together.


Communication skills:

Students are expected to discuss topics in a clear and coherent manner.


Learning ability:

Students who successfully pass the examination will be able to apply historical methodology to other subjects and to draw possible comparisons with other ancient civilizations.


Course Prerequisites

None, but a basic knowledge of the geographical area will be appreciated.


Teaching Methods

Lectures, analysis of the sources, and discussion of the main historical events and of selected topics.


Assessment Methods

Students knowledge will be tested through an oral interview with questions relating to the topics discussed during the course and the bibliographical readings provided. The overall evaluation will take into account attendance to classes and active participation in class discussions. Students not attending classes will be assigned extra readings.


Excellent knowledge of the topics, clarity in the exposition, correct use of the terminology, and ability to formulate and develop critical and rigorous arguments are necessary to attain an excellent mark.

Students showing good knowledge of the main themes treated during the course, ability to discuss specific issues, while failing to use an appropriate terminology, will receive a good mark.

Students who do not show an adequate knowledge of the topics discussed during the course will not pass the exam.


Language of examination: Italian, English.


Texts

M. Liverani, Antico Oriente. Storia, società, economia. Roma/Bari, Laterza, 2011 or any earlier edition.

Capitoli: III-IX, XI-XIV, XVI, XX-XXI, XXIV-XXV, XXVIII-XXIX, XXXI-XXXII.


Students interested in consulting bibliography in English can contact the teacher.

 

Students not attending classes are invited to contact the teacher for further bibliographic references (please, send an email).


Contents

The course introduces students to the history of the Ancient Near East through the study of the main textual, archaeological and iconographic sources. Particular attention is devoted to the analysis of the socio-political, economic, cultural and religious structures of the civilizations that flourished in the area between Egypt, the Aegean and Central Asia in the period from the first urbanization (end of the 4th millennium BC) to the death of Alexander the Great in Babylon (323 BC).

 

1. Introduction.

2. Early Bronze Age: from the first cities to the collapse of the first reigns.

3. Middle Bronze Age: The Amorite dynasties.

4. Late Bronze Age: the “International” Period.

5. Iron Age: Nomads, Arameans, the Levant; Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian empires; brief introduction to the rise of the Achaemenid and Seleucid empires.


Course Language

Italian

English


Degrees

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People

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Main module

History of the Ancient Near East