Euboean cults and myths outside Euboea: Poseidon and Briareos/Aigaion

Αυτό το άρθρο επικεντρώνεται στους ευβοϊκούς μύθους και λατρείες και έχει σκοπό να ερμηνεύσει καλύτερα δύο ενδιαφέροντα στοιχεία σχετικά με ένα κεντρικό / περιφερειακό θέμα: Ποσειδώνας και Βριάρεως. Εμφανίζονται στενά συνδεδεμένοι με τις θαλάσσιες διαδρομές που ξεκινούσαν από τρία σημαντικά κέντρα της Εύβοιας (Ερέτρια, Χαλκίδα και Κάρυστο) για τις κοντινές ή μακρινές ακτές της Μεσογείου κατά τη Γεωμετρική και Αρχαϊκή περίοδο. Θα προσπαθήσουμε να καταδείξουμε το πώς οι λατρείες των αποικιστών μπορούν να παρέχουν πληροφορίες σχετικά με τις άγνωστες λατρευτικές συνήθειες των μητροπόλεών τους, οι οποίες επίσης άλλαξαν εξαιτίας των νέων συνθηκών που συνάντησαν οι αποικιστές στο εξωτερικό. Επιπλέον, μια ανάλυση των δεδομένων θα καταδείξει τη σημασία της Χαλκίδας στη διάδοση των μύθων όπως του Βριάρεω / Αιγαίωνα και θα τονίσει τη σημασία της περαιτέρω διερεύνησης του ρόλου της Καρύστου

Alfabetari e insegnamento della scrittura in area peuceta fra V e IV secolo a.C.

Le riflessioni che propongo in questo contributo nascono da un’intrigante constatazione: da una zona molto ristretta della Peucezia, e più precisamente dagli attuali e confinanti comuni di Gravina e Altamura, provengono due documenti epigrafici tipologicamente affini e cronologicamente non distanti, in quanto entrambi collocabili fra la fine del V e la prima metà del IV secolo a.C. Si tratta di due alfabetari, entrambi accompagnati da altre notevoli iscrizioni, che forniscono numerosi spunti di riflessione che hanno attinenza con una serie piuttosto ampia di problemi storici ed epigrafici: le forme, i modi e i canali della presenza della scrittura in area peuceta; il valore di tali elementi come testimonianza della relazione profonda, sul piano culturale, fra quest'area ed altri contesti culturali, italici e magnogreci (Taranto soprattutto); l’insegnamento della scrittura e la relazione intercorrente fra tale fenomeno e la figura dell'artigiano ceramista. L’iscrizione di Gravina, in particolare, si presenta come un particolarissimo compendio di elementi propri di alcune fra le più diffuse e interessanti tipologie epigrafiche, la firma d’artista, il dono, l’alfabetario, ai quali si affianca la menzione, di per sé piuttosto rara, di un insegnante. I tre personaggi che ricorrono nel testo del documento, tutti di origine non greca, e le loro azioni sono fra gli elementi sui quali è ancora possibile proporre qualche riflessione originale.From a very small area of ancient Peucetia, in particular from the current and adjoining municipalities of Gravina (ancient Sidìon) and Altamura, come two abecedaria dated within a narrow time span (the end of the 5th-first half of the 4th century BC). Both are accompanied by other remarkable inscriptions and offer us food for thought about several historical and epigraphical issues: forms, modes and ways of the presence of writing in the Peucetian area; the value of such elements as indicators of a deep cultural relationship between Peucetia and other Italic and Greek cultural contexts (Taranto above all); the role played by potters in teaching to write. The document from Gravina, in particular, looks like a very special compendium of elements belonging to common and interesting epigraphical classes: artist's signature, dedication, abecedaries are here accompanied by the rarest mention of a teacher. The presence and the actions of the three persons mentioned in the text, all of non-Greek origins, appear as a relevant issue of discussion

Alfabetari e insegnamento della scrittura in area peuceta fra V e IV secolo a.C.

Le riflessioni che propongo in questo contributo nascono da un’intrigante constatazione: da una zona molto ristretta della Peucezia, e più precisamente dagli attuali e confinanti comuni di Gravina e Altamura, provengono due documenti epigrafici tipologicamente affini e cronologicamente non distanti, in quanto entrambi collocabili fra la fine del V e la prima metà del IV secolo a.C. Si tratta di due alfabetari, entrambi accompagnati da altre notevoli iscrizioni, che forniscono numerosi spunti di riflessione che hanno attinenza con una serie piuttosto ampia di problemi storici ed epigrafici: le forme, i modi e i canali della presenza della scrittura in area peuceta; il valore di tali elementi come testimonianza della relazione profonda, sul piano culturale, fra quest'area ed altri contesti culturali, italici e magnogreci (Taranto soprattutto); l’insegnamento della scrittura e la relazione intercorrente fra tale fenomeno e la figura dell'artigiano ceramista. L’iscrizione di Gravina, in particolare, si presenta come un particolarissimo compendio di elementi propri di alcune fra le più diffuse e interessanti tipologie epigrafiche, la firma d’artista, il dono, l’alfabetario, ai quali si affianca la menzione, di per sé piuttosto rara, di un insegnante. I tre personaggi che ricorrono nel testo del documento, tutti di origine non greca, e le loro azioni sono fra gli elementi sui quali è ancora possibile proporre qualche riflessione originale. From a very small area of ancient Peucetia, in particular from the current and adjoining municipalities of Gravina (ancient Sidìon) and Altamura, come two abecedaria dated within a narrow time span (the end of the 5th-first half of the 4th century BC). Both are accompanied by other remarkable inscriptions and offer us food for thought about several historical and epigraphical issues: forms, modes and ways of the presence of writing in the Peucetian area; the value of such elements as indicators of a deep cultural relationship between Peucetia and other Italic and Greek cultural contexts (Taranto above all); the role played by potters in teaching to write. The document from Gravina, in particular, looks like a very special compendium of elements belonging to common and interesting epigraphical classes: artist's signature, dedication, abecedaries are here accompanied by the rarest mention of a teacher. The presence and the actions of the three persons mentioned in the text, all of non-Greek origins, appear as a relevant issue of discussion

L’Eubea “famosa per le navi”

This paper focuses on ναυσικλειτή Εὔβοια, the “Euboia famous for the ships”, mentioned in verses 31 and 219 of the hymn to Apollon. These words are usually seen as literary evidence supporting the currently wide accepted idea, mainly based on archaeological indicators, of a strong Euboean maritime power during the Geometric Age, widespread in the Mediterranean framework. But is that really so? Is there an actual connection between the mentioned verses and Euboea of the 9th and 8th centuries? And, if so, what does exactly “famous for the ships” mean?

La nascita e l'evoluzione della cultura epigrafica in Magna Grecia: documenti, temi, sfide e prospettive

Lo scopo del presente lavoro è quello di illustrare la nascita e i primi sviluppi della cultura epigrafica nel contesto della Magna Grecia. Di tali complessi e articolati fenomeni, che risultano essere parte integrante di quello più ampio della nascita e della prima diffusione dell'alfabeto greco, si cercherà di cogliere le radici e le implicazioni sociali, attraverso l'esame di documenti idonei a far emergere ambiti, contesti, occasioni, mezzi, modi e pratiche collegate all'uso della scrittura

Specializzazione produttiva e crescita: un’analisi mediante indicatori

The paper analyzes the evolution of the trade specialization patterns in Italy and its main trade partners (France, Germany, and the United States). In the methodological section we discuss the effectiveness of the Lafay index as an indicator of specialization. We then propose some modifications and integrations to the original index, so as to capture specific aspects of the comparative advantages. In the empirical part, we discuss the implications emerging from the application of the indexes. It confirms the specialization of the Italian manufacturing in low-tech sectors; furthermore, it shows that, differently than other countries, Italy specializes in sectors with stagnating productivity and little drive to globalization.Specializzazione produttiva, Indice di Lafay

Specializzazione produttiva e crescita: un'analisi mediante indicatori

WP 01/2009; The paper analyzes the evolution of the trade specialization patterns in Italy and its main trade partners (France, Germany, and the United States). In the methodological section we discuss the effectiveness of the Lafay index as an indicator of specialization. We then propose some modifications and integrations to the original index, so as to capture specific aspects of the comparative advantages. In the empirical part, we discuss the implications emerging from the application of the indexes. It confirms the specialization of the Italian manufacturing in low-tech sectors; furthermore, it shows that, differently than other countries, Italy specializes in sectors with stagnating productivity and little drive to globalization

Different MRI patterns in MS worsening after stopping fingolimod

Objective To analyze MRI images in patients with MS who experienced worsening of neurologic status (WNS) after stopping fingolimod (FTY).MethodsIn this retrospective study, demographic, clinical, and radiologic data of patients with MS who experienced WNS after stopping FTY were retrospectively collected. We introduced the "\u3b4Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS)-ratio" to identify patients who, after FTY withdrawal, showed an inflammatory flare-up exceeding the highest lifetime disease activity level. Patients with \u3b4EDSS-ratio > 1 were enrolled in the study.ResultsEight patients were identified. The mean (SD) age of the 8 (7 female) patients was 35.3 (4.9) years. The mean FTY treatment duration was 3.1 (0.8) years. The mean FTY discontinuation-WNS interval was 4 (0.9) months. The 4 patients with \u3b4EDSS-ratio 65 2 developed severe monophasic WNS (EDSS score above 8.5), characterized by clinical features and MRI findings not typical of MS, which we classified as "tumefactive demyelination pattern" (TDL) and "Punctuated pattern" (PL). Conversely, patients whose \u3b4EDSS-ratio was between 1 and 2 had clinical features and brain MRI compatible with a more typical, even if aggressive, MS relapse. In patients with TDL and PL, the flare-up of inflammatory activity led to severe tissue damage resulting in T2 but also T1 lesion volume increase at 6-month follow-up.ConclusionsPeculiar MRI features (TDL and PL), different from a typical MS flare-up, might occur in some patients who experienced WNS after stopping FTY. Further studies, also involving immunologic biomarkers, are necessary to investigate TDL or PL pathophysiology

Relationship between retinal inner nuclear layer, age, and disease activity in progressive MS

ObjectiveTo investigate whether inner nuclear layer (INL) thickness as assessed with optical coherence tomography differs between patients with progressive MS (P-MS) according to age and disease activity.MethodsIn this retrospective longitudinal analysis, differences in terms of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer (GCIPL), INL and T1/T2 lesion volumes (T1LV/T2LV) were assessed between 84 patients with P-MS and 36 sex- and age-matched healthy controls (HCs) and between patients stratified according to age (cut-off: 51 years) and evidence of clinical/MRI activity in the previous 12 monthsResultspRNFL and GCIPL thickness were significantly lower in patients with P-MS than in HCs (p = 0.003 and p < 0.0001, respectively). INL was significantly thicker in patients aged < 51 years compared to the older ones and HCs (38.2 vs 36.5 and 36.7 m; p = 0.038 and p = 0.04, respectively) and in those who presented MRI activity (new T2/gadolinium-enhancing lesions) in the previous 12 months compared to the ones who did not and HCs (39.5 vs 36.4 and 36.7 m; p = 0.003 and p = 0.008, respectively). Recent MRI activity was significantly predicted by greater INL thickness (Nagelkerke R2 0.36, p = 0.001).ConclusionsINL thickness was higher in younger patients with P-MS with recent MRI activity, a criterion used in previous studies to identify a specific subset of patients with P-MS who best responded to disease-modifying treatment. If this finding is confirmed, we suggest that INL thickness might be a useful tool in stratification of patients with P-MS for current and experimental treatment choic