The Commission for Ancient History and Epigraphy (German Archaeological Institute) in Munich invites applications for its annual autumn school (Fachwissenschaftlicher Kurs 2020)
Roman Republican Inscriptions in Context
with Harriet I. Flower (Princeton University)
To take place at the Commission in Munich, Thursday 22nd October 2020, 5pm, to Saturday 24th October 2020 c. 12pm
This seminar will offer an overview of the role, development, and functions of epigraphic texts in the middle and later republican periods in Rome, as well as in Italy and in the Mediterranean beyond. Only c. 4500 Latin inscriptions predate the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC and many of these are now lost. The socalled “epigraphic habit” is usually associated with the Roman imperial period, starting with Augustus’ many epigraphic innovations. By contrast, we will look back in time to examine how inscriptions were used in earlier periods, while taking the beautiful inscriptions in gilded bronze letters of Augustan Rome as a starting point. Our focus will be on Roman republican culture and its use of inscribed writing, from the third century BC onwards. The seminar will consider the epigraphic legacy that the first princeps inherited as a member of the generation born around the middle of the first century BC. The evolution of the Latin language and the development of Roman self representation will be key themes that run parallel with each other in every genre of inscription. The following main types of texts will be examined in a series of thematic sessions:
Senatus consulta and other types of legal inscriptions, dedications to gods in sanctuaries and elsewhere, milestones and other inscriptions placed prominently along roads, building inscriptions, labels of many kinds including those on the bases of honorific statues, and funerary inscriptions commemorating people from a wide variety of social classes. Detailed examination of specific texts (and of the way they have traditionally been edited and studied by scholars who work on republican epigraphical material) will be balanced by a consideration of the wider political and social contexts of epigraphic culture, during the centuries when Rome emerged to become the dominant power in Italy and in the wider Mediterranean world.
We invite early career researchers, postdocs, PhD students, etc. in Ancient History and neighbouring disciplines. There will be 20 places. Where necessary, the Commission will provide accommodation in Munich for participants, however travel costs can not be reimbursed. If you have special requirements as to the accommodation, please let us know at the time of your application. Please e-mail your application (in English or German, containing a one-page letter of motivation and a CV, in one PDF) to Mrs Timmermann at ina.timmermann@dainst.de and Prof. Dr. Haensch at rudolf.haensch@dainst.de.
The deadline for applying is Friday 27th March 2020.
