The Roman world in its imperial phase encompassed all the territories that encircled the Mediterranean Sea, and it even reached the British islands in the Atlantic Ocean. What can we understand about all the populations and cultures that ended up into the orbit of Rome? How did they identify themselves? Moreover, Roman culture was not walled within the political boundaries of the Roman state, but it spilled into that of its neighbors and enemies who influenced and were influences by the “Romanitas”.

After a review of Roman history, the course will begin by discussing key words, e.g. “identity”, “race”, “phenotypes”, and “ethnicity”. Then it will lead the students to understand the ancient ideas about the diversities of human beings: mythical theories, genetic determinism, and climatic determinism. The limits and advantages of textual, archaeological, and artistic sources will be presented and discussed.

The identities of different groups will then be introduced: the Etruscans, the Lucanians, the Gauls, the Germans, the Greeks, the Egyptians, the Pheonicians, the Parthians, the Jews, the Christians, the Goth, and the Huns.

At the base of this course there are ancient texts in translation, supplemented by modern commentaries and material culture.

After a successful conclusion of this course the student will be to:

·         discuss the terminology used when talking about identity;

·         summarize the different ancient theories about human creation and modifications;

·         consider the temporal evolution of the identities of the discussed groups;

·         argue about the identities of the discussed groups using literary and archaeological evidence;

·         identify the different components that were used to talk and create identities in the past;

·         critically evaluate the stereotyped notions surrounding the discussed groups.

Attendance will be taken at every class.

Up to three absences are allowed in this course without consequences. Every absence beyond three will cause the final grade to drop by one degree (e.g. from A- to B+.) More than 6 absences regardless of the reason (that is, missing more than 20% of the course) will have you fail the course.

No justification for any absence is allowed in this course: six absences are enough to cover any event.

Only extended medical emergencies are justified absences. No other reason count as a justified absence: finger-print appointments, sickness, trips, etc. are not justified.