This course will offer a survey of the history of Roman rhetoric, with emphasis on the evolution of its theoretical tradition from the late Republic to the early Imperial age.
This course will survey the evolution of the art of persuasion at Rome, from the earliest exposition of the Roman culture to the teaching of the Greco-Hellenistic tradition, up to the evolution of Latin rhetoric in the Roman imperial age. Students will familiarize with the theoretical foundations of classical rhetoric by means of a close reading of some of the most important rhetorical treatises in Latin; orations of the Republican age and declamation of the Imperial age will be studied in detail, so as to highlight the most peculiar features of a literary genre bond to shape the literary European culture well beyond the end of the ancient world.
Students will focus on the peculiar features of Latin rhetorical texts, which will be studied in a diachronical perspective. By the end of the course, students will be able to:
• Read and interpret rhetorical treatises of the Republican and Imperial age.
• Identify and assess the main features of the Roman rhetorical theory.
• Identify the most common pedagogical strategies exploited in the ancient world for the teaching of rhetoric.
• Assess the mutual influence between rhetorical technique and literary production.
• Identify the main transformation of Roman rhetoric in the Imperial age against the background of the Republican model.
An advanced knowledge of Latina language and literature is required.
Class will be both in person, as permitted by the pandemic situation, and distance, via Microsoft Teams (the access code will be published here).
After a general introduction to the history of the Roman rhetorical tradition, this course will focus on the Latin declamation of the imperial age. Special attention will be devoted to the declamations falsely ascribed to Quintilian: the close reading of a selection of the Lesser declamations will show the role of this excercise in the educational practices of the imperal age, whereas the study of a Major declamation will offer a sample of a fully developed fictional speech.
1. Textbook: A. Cavarzere, Oratoria a Roma. Storia di un genere pragmatico, Roma: Carocci 2000 (ISBN: 9788843014934).
2. [Quintiliano], Lesser declamation: translation and commentary of a selection of Lesser declamations, which will be read in class. A detailed list of the text will be made available on Aulaweb.
3. [Quintiliano], The sick twins (Decl. mai. 8): translation and commentary of the pseudo-Quintilianic Major Declamation 8. The Latin text and a number of translations will be made available on Aulaweb.
Ricevimento: Office hours will be held either in person or via Microsoft Teams, by appointment. Please e-mail the instructor to schedule an appointment.
BIAGIO SANTORELLI (President)
DILETTA VIGNOLA
ALICE BONANDINI (Substitute)
Thursday, February 17, 9:00 AM.
The student will be required to translate, analyse and comment on a selection of passages drawn from the readings listed in this syllabus, one per category. The ability to translate from Latin is a mandatory requisite to pass the exam; the student will be then required to analise the linguistic peculiarities of the selected texts.
Grading scale:
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.
