This biannual course is taught on years 2015-2016, 2017-2018, ....
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None, but knowledge of either the basics of Near Eastern archaeology (arch. du Proche-Orient) or one or more Semitic languages will be helpful.
An introduction to the history and culture of the Arabian Peninsula in the pre-Islamic period (roughly, from the 8th century B.C to the 7th century C.E.), with due attention to its contacts with the neighbouring regions (Syria, Mesopotamia, Iran, Ethiopia), and with a focus on the extant textual and material sources. The conceptual framework consists of the chronology, the religious practices, the historical geography and the main archaeological site of the Peninsula. In an optional philological module, one or more varieties of Ancient North or South Arabian (or possibly, into Classical Ethiopian) may be studied at an introductory level.
At the end of this course, students will have acquired basic knowledge of the main issues in research on Ancient Arabia. Those who have chosen the philological module will be familiar with the characteristics of one or more languages of Ancient North or South Arabia (Lihyanite, Safaitic, Thamudic; Sabaean, Minaeic, Qatabanic, Hadramitic) or, in specific cases, of Ethiopia. Other students will have acquired a more in-depth understanding of the historical developments, the religious practices, and the archeological sites of the region.
The contribution of this Teaching Unit to the development and command of the skills and learning outcomes of the programme(s) can be accessed at the end of this sheet, in the section entitled “Programmes/courses offering this Teaching Unit”.
Oral presentation on a relevant topic (one or more texts or an archaeological site in its historical context).
The course combines formal lectures, distant learning, and a seminar format. The oral presentation will be based on the knowledgeacquired in the introduction as well as on a small personal survey of relevant materials and studies.
This Chair, which is dedicated to the memory of two great pioneers of South-Semitic and Ancient Arabian studies, Gonzague Ryckmans (1887-1969) and Jacques Ryckmans (1924-2005), aims at familiarizing students with the history and culture of the Arabian Peninsula in the pre-Islamic period (roughly, from the 8th century B.C to the 7th century C.E.). Its focus is on the extant textual and material sources. It expounds the chronology, the religious practices, the historical geography and the main archaeological site of the Peninsula. In an optional module, philologically interested students will be introduced to the languages of ancient North Arabia (Lihyanite, Safaitic, Thamudic) and South Arabia (Sabaean, Minaeic, Qatabanic, Hadramitic).
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The theme will be defined in accordance with the availability of invited lecturers and, when possible, with the students' interests and disciplinary backgrounds.
