The purpose of this course is to expose students to a selection of myth of the Greco-Roman world, focusing on their presence in the Latin literary sources and their reception in modern figurative arts.
The course aims at providing students with an overall knowledge of Roman literature and culture. At the end of this course, students will be able to recognise the recurring motifs of Greco-Roman mythology and their reception in the European culture as well as in modern figurative arts.
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.
A good knowledge of Italian language, allowing to read and interpret poetic texts, is required
The lectures will focus on the discussion and critical analysis of the reading list.
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: Phaeton: students will read and analise the ancient sources on the myth of Phaeton, and in particular Ovid, Metamorphoses, books 1 and 2.
3: Proserpine: students will read and analise the ancient sources on the myth of Proserpine, such as: Homer, Hymn to Demetra; Ovid, Metamorphoses, book 5; Claudian, The Rape of Proserpine.
1: History of Latin literature: Recommended textbook: G.B. Conte, Profilo storico della Letteratura Latina, Mondadori Education.
2: Phaeton: Recommended Italian translation: Ovidio, Le Metamorfosi, translated by G. Rosati, Milano: BUR.
3: Proserpine: Recommended Italian translations: Inni omerici, translated by G. Zanetto, Milano: BUR; Il rapimento di Proserpina, transl. by L. Micozzi; a partial collection of texts is in: R. Didier, Persefone – Variazioni sul mito, Marsilio: Venezia 2010.
Ricevimento: Tuesday, 12:00-14:00; Thursday, 16:00-18:00, by appointment.
BIAGIO SANTORELLI (President)
DILETTA VIGNOLA
GABRIELLA MORETTI (Substitute)
LARA NICOLINI (Substitute)
September 16, 2019
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 discuss and interpret a selection of passages from the course reading list.
Grading scale:
27 - 23: The student will show an overall knowledge of the history of the Latin literature and 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 literary context.
Fail: The student who will misinterpret the texts, o will not be able to answer questions of history of literature, will not pass the exam.
