OVERVIEW

This course aims to provide a comprehensive presentation of the evolution of ancient Greek, from the archaic age to the imperial one, paying particular attention to the different dialects.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

In the course of History of Greek Language, students will become familiar with the different dialects and the evolution of ancient Greek from the archaic age to the imperial one. This will be possible mainly by reading, translating and analysing texts from different ages.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By studying the historical evolution of ancient Greek, we aim to develop students’ ability to appreciate and fully understand the ancient Greek literary production, as well as to place a literary document in its cultural and social background, thanks to linguistic analysis.

PREREQUISITES

Good knowledge of ancient Greek. Basic knowledge of ancient Greek literature and history.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lectures. It will be appreciated students’ active participation by translating and analysing, from a linguistic point of view, short literary texts belonging to different ages.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Ancient Greek as Indo-European language. Homeric language. The main dialects and the different literary languages. The formation of κοινή. Texts witnessing different phases of the history of the ancient Greek language will be read during the course.  

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Besides knowing the notions explained in class and the texts read during the course, students are demanded to read in Greek the following works (students who can read Italian will find the suggested editions in the program in Italian; for students who cannot read Italian, it is suggested to use the volumes of the “Loeb Classical Library”):

Pindar, Pythian Ode IV

Aristophanes, Thesmophoriazusae

Polybius, Histories, book I, ch. 1-64

Plutarchus, Life of Brutus

General bibliography (note that students have NOT to study the following works for the exam):

A. Meillet, Lineamenti di storia della lingua greca, Torino 1976 (ed. or. Paris 19354).

M. Morani, Introduzione alla linguistica greca, Alessandria 1999.

A.C. Cassio, Storia delle lingue letterarie greche, Firenze 20152 (2008).

Students should preferably attend the course. If some students cannot attend the course, they are prayed to contact the teacher in order to receive an alternative program.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ANDREA BEGHINI (President)

VALTER LAPINI

MATTEO MACCIO' (Substitute)

ROSA RONZITTI (Substitute)

ALBIO CESARE CASSIO (President)

VALTER LAPINI

MATTEO MACCIO' (Substitute)

ROSA RONZITTI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons start: Wednesday 16th February 2022

Classes per week: Wednesday 15h15-16h45, Thursday 9h15-10h45, Friday 9h15-10h45

Classes will be in presence: Aula 4, Palazzo Gio Francesco Balbi (Balbi)

In case of necessity, classes will be available online on Microsoft Teams (name of the class: "Storia della lingua greca Unige 2021-2022"; access code: bqf8nor, or c55tryb)

Class schedule

HISTORY OF GREEK LANGUAGE

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam. It will be ascertained students’ mastering of the notions provided during the course. In particular, they will be tested by reading, translating and commenting the texts read in the class. Students will show also having read the works indicated in the program (in this part of the exam it will be particularly appreciated students’ autonomous application of the notions learned in class).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Marks from 18 (minimum) to 30 (maximum). Excellent students will receive the distinction (30 cum laude).

Exam schedule