The course is an introduction to the study and understanding of Greek and Latin epigraphic texts and its aim is to demonstrate the importance of inscriptions for our knowledge of Ancient History (political institutions, religion, private life etc.). The course will begin with the definition of epigraphic scholarship and an overview of the history of the scholarship of Greek and Latin Epigraphy.
Emphasis will be placed on the introduction of the Greek and Latin alphabets and examples of early alphabetical inscriptions will be presented. The course will later examine a selection of inscriptions from the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Periods. The instruction will focus on the description of the monuments, the
reading and comprehension of epigraphic texts (translation/interpretation), their dating and placement in their historical context as well as a close examination of the letter forms.
Furthermore, the various kinds of Greek and Latin inscriptions will be discussed and the basic bibliographical publications and references will be presented and explained.