OVERVIEW

The purpose of this course is to provide students with a complete knowledge of the history of Roman literature and culture. The close reading of a selection of ancient texts will expose students to the main themes of Latin literature, with an eye to their reception in modern arts.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of this course, students will be able to:

• interpret literary Latin texts;

• assess the peculiar features of the main themes of Roman literature;

• read the prduction of the major Roman authors against the cultural background of their time;

• identify the reception of themes of Latin literature in the modern European culture.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course aims at familiarising students with one of the most important works on history of art surviving from antiquity: books 34-35 of the Elder Pliny's Natural History. Additionally, part of the lectures will be devoted to  Ovid's Metamorphoses, with a focus on the reception of a selection of myths in modern arts.

PREREQUISITES

The core of this course will be the reading, translation and interpretation of Latin texts. Therefore, a mandatory presequisite is the knowledge of Latin grammar and syntax, as well as the ability of critically analise the main structures of a text (both in Italian and Latin). Students who have little or no previous experience in Latin are invited to attend the beginning Latin course offered in the first semester.

TEACHING METHODS

The lectures will mainly focus on the translation and the analysis of the Latin passages selected for the final examination.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1: History of Latin literature: students will be prepared on the history of Latin literature, from the archaic epoch through the 5th century C.E. The oral exam will consist in questions on the biographies of the major Roman authors, on the evolution of literary genres, and on the major works of the literary history of ancient Rome.

2: Pliny the Elder, Natural History 34-35: students will be required to translate and critically analyse a selection of passages from books 34-35 of Pliny the Elder's Naturalis Historia. The oral exam will assess the students' ability to interpret the Latin texts, their understanding of Latin grammar, as well as their overall knowledge of this section of Pliny's work.

3: Ovid, Metamorphoses: students will be required to translate and critically analyse a selection of passages from Ovid's Metamorphoses di Ovidio. The oral exam will assess the students' ability to interpret the Latin texts, their understanding of Latin grammar, as well as their overall knowledge of the myths presented in the individual passages.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1: History of Latin literature: any textbook of Latin literature may be used to prepare this part of the syllabus; a recommended textbook is G.B. Conte, Letteratura Latina, 2 vols., Firenze 2012 (or any other edition).

2: Pliny the Elder, Natural History 34-35: The specific passages will be provided in class, and will be selected from the book: Plinio il Vecchio. Storia delle arti antiche, edited by S. Ferri, Milano: BUR. Any different translated edition is acceptable.

3: Ovid, Metamorphoses: The specific passages will be provided in class, and will be selected from the book: Ovidio, Le Metamorfosi, edited by G. Rosati, Milano: BUR. Any other translated edition is acceptable.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

BIAGIO SANTORELLI (President)

DILETTA VIGNOLA

GABRIELLA MORETTI (Substitute)

LARA NICOLINI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 18, 2020.

Class schedule

LATIN LITERATURE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination will be oral. Students will be required, first of all, to answer questions on the history of Latin literature, discussing the life and works of some of the major Latin authors. Additionally, students will be required to translate from Latin and interpret a selection of passages from the course reading list.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Grading scale:

• 30 cum laude - 28: The student will be able to translate and discuss accurately the suggested texts and outline their linguistic features;

• 27 - 23: The student will show an overall knowledge of the selected texts, with some flaws that will not prejudice their correct interpretation.

• 22 - 18: The student will show a partial understanding of the texts and their language.

• Fail: The student who will misinterpret or not be able to translate the texts will not pass the exam.

Exam schedule