Latin Epigraphy on location

Spring 2027, the Royal Netherlands Institute in Rome will organise again, in close cooperation with MasterLanguage, the Research School OIKOS, and the University of Amsterdam, a hands-on course Latin epigraphy on location intended for MA students, ReMa students and PhDs working in the areas of Classics and Ancient Studies, Ancient History, Classical or Roman Archaeology, and Roman Law.

The course offers an intensive introduction into Latin epigraphy from the Republican period up until Late Antiquity and is aimed at the acquisition and application of practical research skills in epigraphic research. Taking the role of inscriptions in communicative strategies of those who commissioned them as a starting point, the course focuses on the materiality of their supports and the spatial contexts of their original settings as much as on the texts of the inscriptions themselves. Given the variety of epigraphic texts, the approach is necessarily interdisciplinary paying attention to philological, socio-linguistic, literary, and legal aspects of inscriptions. In addition, theoretical and methodological aspects of epigraphic research will be explicitly addressed.

The course aims to provide insight into the research potential of epigraphic sources by exploring aspects of the Roman world which are uniquely accessible through inscriptions such as the administration of the Roman empire, social class and self-representation, burial customs and commemorative practices, migration and cultural identity, religion, and the organization of professional associations, or the sociolinguistics of Latin. To this end the programme includes visits to the epigraphic collections of the Museo Nazionale Romano, the Musei Capitolini, the Musei Vaticani, a city walk along monuments with in situ preserved ancient inscriptions, and excursions to the excavations of Ostia and the nearby Roman necropolis at Isola sacra.

Coordinator KNIR
Dr. Rens Tacoma

Teaching staff
Prof. dr. Daniëlle Slootjes (UvA) course coordinator
Prof. dr. Caroline Kroon (UvA)

Course language
English

Target group and admission
The course is open to 15  selected  BA / (R)MA / PhD students in graduates in Classics, Ancient History, Archaeology, and Law, but others who take a special interest in Latin epigraphy and meet the entry requirements are invited to register as well from KNIR partner universities (University of Amsterdam, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Leiden University, Utrecht University, Radboud University, University of Groningen).

International students may be admitted to the course provided that they are registered as a student at a Dutch university. While no specific knowledge of epigraphy is necessary, you should at least have knowledge of Latin at the level of the Dutch VWO exam or have completed two courses in elementary Latin at university (10-12 EC).

Credits
The study load is the equivalent of 5 ECTS (140 hours). Each student should arrange with their university coordinatorwhether the course can be a part of their existing curriculum. After successful completion of the course, the KNIR provides a certificate mentioning study load and grade. Students who need 6 ECTS will make slightly longer assignments or do an extra assignment.

Costs
Participants will receive free tuition and excursions (including most entry fees for museums and archaeological sites). Students pay their own flight or train ticket to Rome, but travel expenses to and from Rome will be reimbursed up to € 100,- upon a successful completion of this course. Meals and personal expenses are not included.

Facilities in Rome
All participants will be housed at the Royal Netherlands Institute near Rome’s Villa Borghese Park. From there, it is only a short walk to the historical center of Rome. The KNIR accommodation consists of shared bedrooms and bathrooms, and includes a living and dining space, a large kitchen, washing machine and wireless internet. All residents have 24/7 access to the library and gardens of the Royal Netherlands Institute.

Application and admission
The selection of participants is based on grades, the added value of the course in the student’s curriculum, a letter of motivation, and the composition of the group. Students can apply via the button ‘Register for a course’ on the course overview page, and include in your application:

- a letter of motivation (max. 1 A4);
- a cv;
- a recent list of courses followed and grades provided by your university.

At KNIR we believe diversity enriches debate: different perspectives contribute to the quality of our work. We therefore value and highly encourage applications from students with diverse backgrounds and identities.

Deadline applications
08 December 2026

You will be notified about the outcome within two weeks after the deadline. Please note that the decision of the selection committee is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 

More info
E-mail: secretary knir.it
Phone: (+39)063269621