Course Structure

The PhD Programme in Classical Antiquity and Its Legacy. Archaeology, Philology, History aims to train scholars of antiquity who possess an integrated methodological foundation, knowledge, and competencies spanning literature, ancient art history, and ancient history. The goal is thus to prevent specialisation in any one of the three fields from coming at the expense of a comprehensive vision of antiquity and of the various approaches to its study — one of the perspectives from which original research contributions can be made. Among the unifying elements, the use of the philological method is particularly significant. This general objective is pursued through different methods, owing to the different nature of the disciplines taught, across the two main research areas of the PhD Programme.

Research Area in Classical Antiquity and Its Legacy

The primary objective of this area is to train scholars with a high capacity for critical analysis of the literary and figurative contents of classical antiquity, as well as of the European tradition as it relates to Greek and Latin models. This also entails developing the ability to identify and analyse moments of rupture and continuity in the literary and artistic history of our continent. Particular value is placed on elements of textual transmission in antiquity (through the palaeographic component) and on broader historical-cultural aspects (through attention to the history of ancient philosophy). The high level of qualification achieved will enable PhD graduates to exercise proven scholarly competencies in universities as well as in public and private institutions, and to contribute effectively to the preservation and enhancement of literary and artistic heritage (understood not only in a material sense). Furthermore, the graduate school itself may benefit from teachers trained in this way.

Research Area in Ancient History

The primary objective of this area is to train scholars capable of conducting high-level research in the fields of Greek and Roman Epigraphy, Greek History, Roman History, and Classical Archaeology. This will be pursued both from a theoretical standpoint — through lectures on research methods and tools in the various disciplines, delivered by internal faculty and by nationally and internationally renowned researchers — and at a practical level, by closely following and discussing the work of doctoral students, who will be periodically required to report on their progress not only to their supervisors, but to the entire faculty board and to their fellow doctoral candidates.

Disciplines and Research Topics

Within the PhD Programme in Classical Antiquity and Its Legacy: Archaeology, Philology, History, it will be possible to specialise and conduct research in the following fields and disciplines: Formation of the Greek-Roman iconographic and formal heritage; The study of antiquity and of historical collections from the Middle Ages to the Romantic period; Tradition and innovation in Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic Greek literature; European literature and the classical tradition; Greek history, historiography, and epigraphy; Roman history and Roman antiquities; Greek and Roman epigraphy; Archaeology; Papyrology; Ancient topography.