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.
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.
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.
Good knowledge of ancient Greek. Basic knowledge of ancient Greek literature and history.
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.
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.
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.
Ricevimento: Thursday and Friday after class (from 11h to 12h)
ANDREA BEGHINI (President)
VALTER LAPINI
MATTEO MACCIO' (Substitute)
ROSA RONZITTI (Substitute)
ALBIO CESARE CASSIO (President)
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)
HISTORY OF GREEK LANGUAGE
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).
Marks from 18 (minimum) to 30 (maximum). Excellent students will receive the distinction (30 cum laude).
