OVERVIEW

The course will offer a survey of the history of Roman rhetoric and oratory, with emphasis on the evolution of its theoretical tradition from the late Republic to the early Imperial age.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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 and orations 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 oratory and literary production.

• Identify the main transformations of Roman rhetoric and oratory from the Republican to the Imperial age. 

PREREQUISITES

An advanced knowledge of Latin language and literature is required.

TEACHING METHODS

After a number of lessons that will introduce to the history of Roman rhetoric and oratory, students will be invited to participate in the translation and the interpretation of the relevant texts in class.  Attendance, although not compulsory, is highly recommended.

All students are required to enroll on the Aulaweb page of the course, where texts covered in the course  will be uploaded. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Metaphor in Rhetorical Theory and Literary Practice

In ancient rhetorical theory, metaphor is regarded as the most important of the tropes, essentially a “condensed” simile. It maintains a privileged connection with the senses, particularly with the domain of visual perception; for this reason, it often serves in literature to enhance the evidentia of a given description. Its use is pervasive, to the point that one can identify distinct metaphorical fields associated with specific concepts, activities, arts, or literary genres.The study of metaphor in rhetorical treatises will therefore be followed by a series of sessions dedicated to exploring various metaphorical domains, with special attention to metaphors employed to define rhetorical concepts and strategies.
Throughout the course, seminars held by guest lecturers will be organized in order to map the vast range of metaphor’s applications across different levels and literary genres.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Cicerone, Dell'oratore, saggio introduttivo, nuova traduzione e note di F. Berardi,  Collana Classici Greci e Latini Rusconi, Sant'Arcangelo di Romagna 2025: only book III, with commentary notes.

Other readings of articles chosen by the student will be indicated during lessons and on Aulaweb.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Classes will start on the week of February 15, 2027

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination will be oral, and will involve questions on the textbook, on the monographic course, and the translation, commentary, and contextualization of a selection of passages from the assigned texts.

The ability to accurately translate the selected texts is essential for passing the exam. Additionally, students should be able to identify the linguistic characteristics of the selected text and reconstruct its historical contest.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Grading scale:

• 30 cum laude - 28: The student will be able to translate and discuss accurately the 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.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Erasmus students not proficient in Italian may request a substitutive bibliography, and take the examination in English.

All students are required to sign up for Aulaweb and Teams in time for the start of the course.