KT25-26 Latin Epigraphy
Naam cursus
Latin EpigraphyUniversiteit
UVAPunten / credits
5/6 ECCursusdatum
semester 2 (2025 - 2026)Inschrijfdatum
Locatie
AmsterdamNaam docent
Prof. Dr. Daniëlle Slootjes (UvA) & Prof. Dr. Caroline Kroon (UvA)E-mail contactpersoon
Daniëlle SlootjesDoel van de cursus
The student who has successfully completed the course:
- Is able to read and understand Latin inscriptions at a level that fits with their preceding education (completed VWO with Latin; completed introductory courses Latin I and Latin II at university; Classics BA degree; Classics MA degree);
- Has a good knowledge of the handbooks, corpora and databases for epigraphic research and has the ability to effectively use them for their own research;
- Has a good knowledge of the most commonly used abbreviations and is able to apply the rules of transcription on a new text;
- Is able to write a systematic epigraphic commentary on an unseen text and is able to assess by means of comparative research which elements of the texts are common and which unusual
- Is able to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to the interpretation of epigraphic texts by including the materiality and spatial context of the epigraphic support into the interpretation of the epigraphic text.
Uitgebreide omschrijving
An intensive introduction to the sources and methods of Latin epigraphy, mainly through on-site teaching.
For anyone interested in the social and cultural history of the Roman empire a rich data set of literary and material sources is available. While we may confidently rely on these sources for different aspects of ancient society, they also leave gaps for which ancient inscriptions often are our sole source of information or for which they offer important complimentary insights. This is true, for instance, for the administration of the Roman empire, burial customs and commemorative practices, socio-linguistics, family relationships and rights of succession, gender and social class, migration and cultural identity, religion, and the organization of professional associations. This course seeks to demonstrate the research potential of inscriptions for these and other topics by concrete examples we will discuss both in the classroom and on site. To this end the programme includes visits to the epigraphic collections of the Museo Nazionale Romano, the Musei Capitolini, the Musei Vaticani, a city walk along monuments with in situ preserved ancient inscriptions, and excursions to the excavations of Ostia and the nearby Roman necropolis at Isola sacra.
Educatief perspectief
Latin inscriptions offer ideal material for innovative interdisciplinary teaching of classic languages and cultures in secondary school classrooms. Students will also become acquainted with Rome, an important destination of school excursions.
Ingangseisen / Taalbeheersing
Students need to have at least a basic working knowledge of Latin (secondary school exam/A-level Latin or introductory courses Latin I and II at University).
Admission to the course and number of participants
Enrollment for the course closes on the 18th of December 2025.
A maximum of 15 students can be admitted; selection will take place if there are more interested students.
Students should also sign up via the website of the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (www.knir.it).
Not selected for this course?
As admission to the course Latin Epigraphy is not guaranteed, students who are required to take one compulsory Masterlanguage course should also enroll in another course that they can follow in case they are not admitted to Latin Epigraphy.
Examen informatie
Format
Seminars, practical assignments, group tutorials, excursions
Exam
Presentation + discussion in Rome 100%
Assignments before departure are formative only
Work load
5 EC = 140h
34h reading work for the introductory classes
22h working on formative assignments before departure
12h Contact hours Amsterdam + online session
40h Contact hours in Rome
32h Research and presentation Rome
UvA/VU
UvA/VU-students who need 6 ECTS will do an extra assignment. This must be determined with your lecturer in week 1.
Boeken / Literatuur
All literature will be made available online.
Meer informatie
Schedule
The course takes the form of introductory classes in Amsterdam, followed by an intensive seminar at the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome (20-29 March, 2026).
13-02-2026 (UvA, Amsterdam) 13:30-17:30
20-02-2026 (Online) 13:30-17:30
13-03-2026 (UvA, Amsterdam) 13:30-17:30
20-03-2026 until 29-03-2026 Excursion to Rome
Costs
Students pay their own flight or train ticket to Rome. Successful completion of the course qualifies for a reimbursement of travel costs of 100 euros.