AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students must acquire the methodologies and tools to autonomously interpret and analyse any given Latin text from the point of view of its tradition, and with special attention to all the problems related to the transmission. Students must therefore be familiar not only with issues of grammar, syntax and metrics, but also with the peculiar lexicon of textual criticism

The course particularly aims at providing students with the skills to analyze both the problems in the literary texts selected by the lecturer and the greatest textual solutions given to them; students will be able to apply the tools of textual criticism along with literary history, and will acquire skills to deal with any other manuscript traditions and to examine any kind of textual problems. At the end, the students will acquire:

-       Knowledge of the pre- and post-Lachmannian practice of textual criticism, of the  critique rules and precepts to emend ancient texts;

-       knowledge of the tradition and ecdotical history of a series of latin texts;

-       Ability to apply the learned methodology to any other Latin texts. 

-       Ability to read a latin text and to identify and explain the main textual problems / loci vexati contained in it, as well as to describe the different solutions for them.

-        Ability to analyze and comment text and apparatus of any given literary edition (among the main modern critical editions such as OCT, Teubner, Budé, etc.).

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures in classroom (54 hours, 9 CFU); each lecture will last from 2 to 2,5 hours (based on need); towards the end of the course, some lectures may take the form of seminars (depending on the students' ability).

Participation to the classes is strongly encouraged, though attendance at the course is not mandatory in order to take the exam. During the lessons, students will be given advices and suggestions to prepare the exam and will take advantage of some hints and test simulation. See also italian section.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The best textual problems ever. A collection of super famous loci uexati with the most gorgeous emendations ever made by ancient and modern scholars.

Selected passages: Catullo 64, 323-4; Cicerone, de off. 1,18, 61; Lucrezio 1, 122; 3, 1-5;  Virgilio, Aen. 4, 124-127 vs 1, 71-75; 9, 464; 10, 702-11; 11,18; 12, 50-54; Ovidio, am. 3,9, 37-8; met. 1, 1-4; 8-629-32; Ibis 569; Petronio 61,6; Marziale lib. spect. 21; Apuleio 2,27.

The course presents a selection of very famous loci uexati in the greatest authors of Latin Literature and some exemplary emendations made by ancient and modern scholars. The most attractive interventions ever made on corruptions that have damaged latin texts will be used to explain different categories of the text-critical enterprise.

A selection of newer text critical ideas and conjectures that deserve consideration will add to teach students all the skills necessary to analyze texts and to properly read their  apparatus.

·      Please, note: the course will be held in italian. The lecturer will discuss some aspects of the subjec and/or some textual problems  in english, if necessary.

The lecturer will show the students a special selection of very well known loci vexati and different textual problems, together with the emendations and conjectures proposed for them by the greatest scholars of all times; a part of the course will be dedicated to some other newer ideas that deserve consideration, as well as to some conjectures and interpretations proposed by the professor herself to the text she is currently editing (Apuleius' Metamorphoses).

After a first part introducing the study of textual critic, manuscript tradition, ecdotical history, the course will focus on the special cases mentioned above. The most part of the lectures will be dedicated to the reading, translation and critical analysis of an anthology of very famous latin texts (from Catullus, Lucretius, Cicero, Virgil, Ovid, Martial, etc.). 

All of these texts are meant to be read, translated and analyzed, according to whether students wish to acquire 9 or 6 CFU (see Texts/Bibliography). 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1) Ovid, Met., IV

(text recommended: Ovidio. Metamorfosi, a cura di G. Rosati- C. Faranda Villa, Milano 1997)

2) Virgil, Aen., libro IV.

(text recommended: Virgilio, Eneide, trad. di M. Ramous, intr. di G. B. Conte, comm. di G.L. Baldo, Venezia, Marsilio, 2004)

3) Apuleio, Le Metamorfosi (libro  IX + lettura in italiano di Amore e Psiche)

 (text recommended: Apuleio, Metamorfosi o L'asino d'oro, a cura di L. Nicolini, Bur, Milano 2005)

- an introduction to textual critic to be chosen among:

-T. Braccini, La scienza dei testi antichi. Introduzione alla filologia classica, Firenze, 2017 (o altro manuale da concordare previamente con la docente).

- Sebastiano Timpanaro, La genesi del metodo del Lachmann, Torino, 2003