The topography of ancient Cyrenaica 3101-DKTC
Cyrenaica, a region in eastern Libya, was one of the destination of early Greek colonisation, was densely populated until the Arab invasion. Main cities of the region formed the so-called Pentapolis, or a grouping of 5 cities – Cyrene, Apollonia, Teucheira, Berenike and Barca, which came to be replaced by Ptolemais. In these wealthy cities, founded on an orthogonal street grid, one can find centres built up with monumental architecture, as well as private houses decorated with mosaics and wall paintings, which clearly show a mixture of strong Greek traditions and Roman influence. However, a network of smaller towns, especially in the fertile region of Cyrene/Kyrene, founded by Greeks and functioning untill the Arab invasion, is a subject of interest. Throughout the course we will ask about the geographical and political determinants of the particular sites. During the course we will analyze the dense settlement of Greeks and Romans. We will investigate the importance of Cyrenaican port cities. One of them, Ptolemais, is exploring by a team of archaeologists from the IA UW.
The course is recommended for persons applying to participate in excavations at Ptolemais.
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
In Cyrenaica an urban development occurred from 7th century BC to 7th century AD. During so long time, many changes in poleis as well as in the rural centers took place. On one hand these changes were typical for all regions in the Greek and Roman world, but on the other hand strongly associated with the region - its specifity, geography, climate and terrain, finally - the local tradition. As the result students should gain their knowlegde of these issues. They would understand phenomena occurring in the region in historical perspective, identify basic urban centers, know the topography of the major cities of Pentapolis as Kyrene, Apollonia, Ptolemais and Teuchira.
Assessment criteria
attendance ; in-class activity; preparation of one developed oral presentation, to be submitted also in written form (ca 10-15 pages).
Bibliography
Cyrenaica in Antiquity, G. Barker, J. Lloyd, J. Reynolds eds, [BAR International Series 236] 1985 (some chapters)
Stucchi S., Architettura cirenaica, Roma 1975
Mingazzini P., L’Insula di Giasone Magno, Roma 1966
Cirene „Atene d’Africa”, M. Luni ed., Roma 2006 (some chapters)
Excavations at Sidi Khrebish Benghazi (Berenice), vol. 1, [Supplements to Libya Antiqua, V]
Kraeling C. H., Ptolemais. City of the Libyan Pentapolis, Chicago 1962
Boardman J., Evidence for the Dating of Greek Settlements in Cyrenaica, BSA 61 (1966) 149-56
Laronde A., La Cyrénaïque romaine, des origines à la fin des Sévères (96 av. J.C. – 235. ap. J.C.), in: ANRW II,10.1, 1998, p. 1006sq
Little J., Urban change in Ptolemais, in: Cyrenaica in Antiquity, ed. G.Barker, J.Reynolds, Congress Cambridge 1983 [BAR Int. Ser. 236], Oxford 1985, p. 43-48
Lloyd J. A., Urban Archaeology in Cyrenaica, LibSt 20, 1989, p. 82-83
Pesce G., Il Palazzo delle Colonne in Tolemaide di Cirene, Roma 1950
J. C. Thorn, The necropolis of Cyrene. 200 years of excavations, Roma 2005
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: