OVERVIEW

The aim of this course is to provide the students with a comprehensive picture of the historical evolution of the Greek language, from the beginnings to the present day, with special emphasis on the developments that took place in Classical and Hellenistic times.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

My teaching will deal with the Indo-European roots of the Greek language, its internal evolution and the problems posed by the writing systems used for Ancient Greek.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The students should familiarize themselves with the problems linked to the three writing systems used for Greek (Mycenaean syllabary, Cypriot syllabary, alphabetic writing, with special regard to the archaic alphabets and writing conventions) and the linguistic developments from the most ancient literary texts (Homer, Hesiod) to those of Hellenistic times.

TEACHING METHODS

Ex cathedra teaching; it will be possible, for the students who are willing to do so, to read and comment on chunks of classical or Hellenistic texts of their own choice.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

I will illustrate the various phases of development of the language by reading and commenting on Greek texts going back to different chronological levels, with special regard to Homer and Attic prose.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Select chapters from: A. C. Cassio (a cura di), Storia delle lingue letterarie greche, 2. edition, Le Monnier 2015.; A. Sihler, New Comparative Grammar of Greek & Latin, Oxford University Press 1994. The students will be provided with xeroxes of the texts translated and commented upon during the lessons.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ALBIO CESARE CASSIO (President)

SERENA PERRONE

LARA NICOLINI (Substitute)

LARA PAGANI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

7th October 2020

Class schedule

HISTORY OF GREEK LANGUAGE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Viva examination.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The students should be able to read, translate and provide a linguistic commentary on the texts illustrated during the lessons. Knowledge of normative Greek grammar is a prerequisite.

Exam schedule