OVERVIEW

The Prince and the myth: ancient myths in the paintings and frescos at Villa Del Principe. The purpose of this course is to provide students with a good 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 as well as to the most famous myths featured in these beatiful texts, with an eye to their reception in arts (see also below, Aims and learning outcomes).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

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

• read and interpret the production 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.• 

•  identify the iconography of the most fampus myths of Latin literature in art history.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The Prince and the myth: ancient myths in the paintings and frescos at Villa Del Principe.

The aim of this course is to introduce the ancient sources of some very famous myths, in order to make the students ready to identify, describe and interpret those subjects when they encounter them in paintings, sculptures or any other artistic representantion. We will study, in particular, the beautiful stories that one can admire in the wealth of paintings, frescoes and sculptures featured in the interiors of Villa del Principe in Genova. Among them, the myth of Aracne and that of Perseus as they are told in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, as well as the famous story of Cupid and Psyche, written by Apuleius).

PREREQUISITES

The core of this course will be the reading, translation and interpretation of Latin texts. Therefore, a mandatory presequisite is a very good knowledge of italian and the knowledge of at least the basis 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

Lectures in classroom (54h, 6 CFU); each lecture will last 2-2,5 hours (based on need to complete a piece of reading, etc.); towards the end of the course, some lectures may take the form of students’ seminars. Participation to the classes is strongly encouraged, though attendance in the course is not mandatory in order to take the exam. During the lessons, students will be given advices and suggestions to prepare the exam and will take advantage of some hints and test simulation. See also italian section.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1: Storia letteraria di Roma: lo studente dovrà essere preparato sulla letteratura latina, dall'età arcaica al V secolo d.C. La prova d'esame mirerà ad accertare la conoscenza dei profili degli autori, dell'evoluzione di temi e generi letterari, e dei principali testi della storia letteraria di Roma antica. Come manuale di riferimento si consiglia G.B. Conte, Profilo storico della Letteratura Latina, Mondadori Education.

2: Il mito di Aracne; in Ovidio, Metamorfosi, libri IV 607-803, VI 1-145. Come edizione di riferimento di Ovidio si suggerisce: Ovidio, Le Metamorfosi, a cura di G. Rosati, Milano: BUR; è possibile utilizzare edizioni alternative, previamente concordate con la docente.

3: Il mito di Amore e Psiche: lettura delle fonti antiche relative al mito di Amore e Psiche, ovvero: Apuleio, Metamorfosi, libri 4,28- 6,23. Si consiglia l’edizione BUR, a cura di L. Nicolini, Apuleio, Metamorfosi, Milano 2005.

Testi di complemento: A. Traina, Propedeutica al Latino universitario, Bologna (la docente spiegherà quali parti del libro utilizzare e come durante la prima lezione).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Programma d'esame per 6 CFU – Curriculum in Beni Storico-Artistici:

1) Latin Literature: A History. (A comprehensive survey of the thousand-year period from the origins of Latin as a written language to the early Middle Ages).

-A. Traina, Propedeutica al Latino universitario, Bologna (only some parts, please, ask the teacher about this).

Texts: 

G.B. Conte - E. Pianezzola, Storia e testi della Letteratura Latina, Le Monnier, Firenze

G.B. Conte, Latin Literature: A History , J. Hopkins University Press, Baltimora

2: Il mito di Aracne; in Ovidio, Metamorfosi, libri IV 607-803, VI 1-145. 

Ovidio, Le Metamorfosi, a cura di G. Rosati, Milano: BUR.

3: Il mito di Amore e Psiche:  Apuleio, Metamorfosi, libri 4,28- 6,23. 

L. Nicolini, Apuleio, Metamorfosi, Milano, BUR.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

LARA NICOLINI (President)

GIOVANNI ANDRISANI

BIAGIO SANTORELLI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 15, 2021.

Class schedule

LATIN LANGUAGE AND 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.