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OW1102 NORTHWEST SEMITIC PHILOLOGY A: INTRODUCTION TO UGARITIC (A.Y. 2025/2026)
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Accademic Unit
Faculty of Ancient Near Eastern Studies
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Course
Licenza Orientalistica
Description
Course A introduces the indigenous language of Ugarit, a city-state on the northern Syrian coast that flourished in the 2nd millennium BC. As the oldest independently documented language in the Northwest Semitic group, Ugaritic has a special relevance for the historical-comparative study of the Semitic languages, especially Hebrew. Its rich religious literature also provides an important context for the interpretation of the Hebrew Bible.
Course B introduces the study of Canaanite and Old Aramaic inscriptions.
If taken together the two courses fulfill the requirement for “Lingua Orientale A-B” in the SSL curriculum of the Biblical Faculty
Alternatively, either course can be taken individually as part of the specialization in “Percorso II” in the SSL curriculum of the Biblical Faculty.
Objective
The courses aim at developing skills in using epigraphic sources for the study of the languages and civilizations of Siria-Palestine 1500-500 BC.
Methodology
The languages will be inductively studied through the texts. Students will be guided to use the standard manuals listed below.
Evaluation
The evaluation is based on assigned tasks (50 %) and a written examination at the end of course (50%). The works can be submitted in the languages of the Institute.
Information
- Semester: 1° Semestre
- ECTS: 5
Teachers
Agustinus GIANTO
Lesson schedule/Room
Lessons schedule not available
Basic readings
Gianto , A., «Lost and Found in the Grammar of First-Millennium Aramaic», in Aramaic in its Historical and Linguistic Setting (eds. H. Gzella – M.L. Folmer ) (Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz, 2008) 11-25.
Id. , «Ugaritology and Biblical Interpretation», in The Oxford Encyclopedia of Biblical Interpretation (ed. S.L. Mckenzie ) (Oxford: Oxford UP 2013) vol. 2, 429-436.
Id. , «Ugaritic», in Languages from the World of the Bible (ed. H. Gzella ) (Boston – Berlin: De Gruyter, 2012) 28-54.
For further studies
Bordreuil, P. – D. Pardee , A Manual of Ugaritic (Eisenbrauns, Winona Lake 2009). This manual contains a brief outline of Ugaritic grammar, fifty-five texts of various genres with copies, photos, transliteration, translation, copious notes, and glossary.
KAI = Donner, H. – Röllig, W ., Kanaanäische und aramäische Inschriften , vol. 1 (5th edition; Wiesbaden: Harrasssowitz, 2002), vol. 2-3 (3rd edition; 1971-1976).
Fitzmyer, J.A., The Aramaic Inscriptions of Sefire (BiOr 19/A; revised edition; Roma: PIB, 1995).
Gibson , J.C.L., Syrian Semitic Inscriptions , vol. 3: Phoenician Inscriptions (Oxford: University Press, 1982).
Gordon , C., Ugaritic Textbook (AnOr 38; Roma: PIB, 1965 [reprinted with corrections 1998]).
Gzella , H., A Cultural History of Aramaic: From the Beginnings to the Advent of Islam (Leiden – Boston: Brill, 2015).
Huehnergard, J., An Introduction to Ugaritic (Peabody: Hendrickson 2012). This textbook contains the basic grammar, practical exercises with keys, paradigms and twelve annotated texts of various genres, glossary. Included is an essay on the Ugaritic alphabetic script by John L. Ellison.
KTU = M. Dietrich – O. Loretz – J. Sanmartín , The Cuneiform Alphabetic Texts from Ugarit, Ras Ibn Hani and Other Places (AOAT 360/1; Münster: Ugarit-Verlag, 2013). This is the third, enlarged edition of Die keilalphabetischen Texte aus Ugarit (AOAT 24/1; Neukirchen – Vluyn: Neukircherner Verlag, 1976). The numbering system of KTU have been widely used.
Olmo Lete, G. del – J. Sanmartín , A Dictionary of the Ugaritic Language in the Alphabetic Tradition , translated by W.G.E. Watson (HdO I/67; 3rd edition; Leiden – Boston: Brill, 2015).
Parker, S.B. (ed.), Ugaritic Narrative Poetry (Atlanta: SBL, 1997). The texts are arranged in poetic lines with facing translation and brief explanatory notes by a team of scholars.
Tropper, J., Ugaritische Grammatik (2nd edition; Münster: Ugarit-Verlag, 2012). This is the most complete reference grammar to date.
Watson, W.G.E. – N. Wyatt (eds.), Handbook of Ugaritic Studies (HdO I/39; Leiden – Boston: Brill, 1999). This is a compendious overview of Ugarit's history, languages, literature, religion, and society.
Friedrich, J. – Röllig, W., Phönizisch-punische Grammatik (AnOr 55; 3rd edition; Roma: PIB, 1999).