OVERVIEW

The course offers an introduction to Roman theatrical literature, examined in relation both to its performative contexts and to the broader cultural background provided by Latin literary tradition and its emulative relationship with Greek models.

At the core of the course are two plays: Plautus' Amphitruo (a comedy) and Seneca's Thyestes (a tragedy). Both will be read in their entirety in Italian translation and analyzed with particular attention to their performative dimension.

Despite their differences, both works are dramaturgically structured around the conflictual dynamics between characters, which ultimately destabilize the protagonists’ sense of identity.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students will learn to: a) contextualize the main authors and works of Latin literature from both diachronic and synchronic perspectives; b) situate dramatic genres within the framework of both the aemulatio of Greek models and the evolution of the historical and cultural context; c) analyze a Latin play from stylistic, dramaturgical, and literary perspectives.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

         •        Identify the main features of the principal authors of Roman literature within their specific historical and cultural context.

         •        Accurately situate key literary works and authors within the development of Roman theatre and the system of genres, from its origins to the Imperial age.

         •        Recognize the influence of Greek models on the development of Roman theatre.

         •        Analyze themes, semantics, mythology, rhetorical-stylistic features, and dramaturgical structure of theatrical literary texts.

         •        Understand the ways in which the interplay between literary text, script, and performance develops within Roman theatre.

PREREQUISITES

None

TEACHING METHODS

A dialogical approach will be favoured, encouraging active and dialectical participation by students. The final lessons will adopt a workshop format and will be dedicated to creating a script from the ancient dramas.

Students are strongly encouraged to register for the class on Aulaweb, where teaching materials will be shared.

Attendance is highly recommended. Attending students will have the opportunity to take part of the exam in the form of an in-progress assessment.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Characters in the Mirror: Estrangement in the Dialogues of Latin Theatre

In the introductory part of the class, the performative context of Latin theatre will be presented, along with an overview of its historical, cultural, and literary background, also in relation to the influence exerted by Greek models and in dialogue with the class “Ancient Theatre” to which this class will offer a complementary perspective.

The core of the program consists of a comedy by Plautus, Amphitruo, and a tragedy by Seneca, Thyestes, studied in Italian translation.  Despite their differences, both plays are dramaturgically centered on the conflicting dynamics between characters, which produces an estrangement effect — leading in one case to comic outcomes, in the other to the staging of tragic furor. The reading will be accompanied by the analysis of audiovisual materials from contemporary performances of the two plays, aimed at fostering critical reflection on the challenges and possibilities involved in translating and staging ancient theatre.

At the end of the class, attending students will put their knowledge into practice by writing a short theatrical piece inspired by one of the works studied.

Students will broaden their perspective through independent study of additional works (see bibliography).

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Textbooks:

G.B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina, Le Monnier. Chap. I.1  (Nascita e primi sviluppi della letteratura latina); I.3 (Plauto); I.5 (La tragedia arcaica); I.7 (Lo sviluppo della commedia);  II.1 (Cicerone); II.6 (Catullo); III.1 (Virgilio); III.2 (Orazio); III.4 (Ovidio); IV.2 (Seneca) + schede di contestualizzazione storica (pp. 27, 66, 128-130; 206-208).

Storia del teatro latino, a cura di G. Petrone, Carocci

Works to read (Italian or English translation) 

Plautus, Amphitruo. 

Terentius, Adelphoe. 

Sophocles, Oedipus Rex oppure Seneca, Oedipus. 

Seneca, Thyestes. 

Seneca, Phaedra. 

Additional bibliography for non-attending students: :

W. Beare, I Romani a teatro, Laterza, chap. from 19 to 26. English edition: W. Beare, The Roman Stage, Routledge 

Other Degree Programmes: additional requirements

Students enrolled in a degree program other than the BA in Humanities – “Music and Performing Arts” track ("Musica e spettacolo") will be required to study Plautus' Amphitruo and Seneca's Thyestes in Latin language. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2026.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam, in written form, consists of the following parts:

         1.      History of Literature: Cicero, Catullus, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Seneca.

         2.      History of Latin Theatre

         3.      Monographic Section: Plautus, Amphitruo; Seneca, Thyestes

         4.      Independent Reading: Selected tragedies and comedies

The different parts may be taken in two exam sessions (within 12 months), following the progressive order indicated above (first session = parts 1 and 2; subsequent session = parts 3 and 4). 

Attending students are allowed to take parts 1 and 2 as an in itinere assessment.

For attending students, the written exam will be complemented by the discussion of a theatrical writing assignment, to be carried out in workshop form during the final lessons of the course.

Non-attending students will replace this part with additional questions in Part 2 of the written exam.

Ecco la traduzione adatta per un syllabus in inglese accademico:

Other Degree Programmes: additional requirements

Students enrolled in a degree program other than the Bachelor’s in Humanities – “Music and Performing Arts” track ("Musica e spettacolo") will be required to supplement the written exam with an oral exam focused on the translation and analysis of the texts to be prepared in Latin language (see bibliography).

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the written exam, students are required to:

1. History of Literature

Answer both multiple-choice and open-ended questions, demonstrating knowledge of key authors (Cicero, Catullus, Virgil, Horace, Ovid, Seneca) and major works of Latin literature, and the ability to place them within their historical period, literary genre, themes, and poetics.

2. History of Latin Theatre

Answer both multiple-choice and open-ended questions, demonstrating knowledge of the genres and authors of Latin theatrical literature, and the ability to situate its works in terms of their performative contexts as well as their historical, cultural, and literary background, including their emulative relationship with Greek models.

(This section will also include specific questions for non-attending students, replacing the workshop-based assessment.)

3. Monographic Section: Plautus, Amphitruo; Seneca, Thyestes

Starting from selected passages (in Italian translation) from Plautus’ Amphitruo and Seneca’s Thyestes, answer both multiple-choice and open-ended questions regarding comprehension, lexical and stylistic-rhetorical analysis, mythological references, characterization of characters, dramatic structure, and the thematic issues discussed in class.

4. Independently Read Tragedies and Comedies

Starting from selected passages (in Italian translation) from the plays assigned (Terence, Adelphoe; Seneca, Phaedra; Sophocles, Oedipus Rex or Seneca, Oedipus), answer both multiple-choice and open-ended questions concerning comprehension, mythological references, character portrayal, and dramatic structure.

Workshop Component (for Attending Students): In class, attending students will submit and discuss a short theatrical writing assignment inspired by a passage from one of the plays studied, to be completed in small groups (further details will be provided during class). Participation in this workshop activity will contribute to the final grade.

Non-attending students will replace this part with additional questions in Part 2 of the written exam.

Assessment Criteria

The final grade will reflect the following criteria:

         •        30 cum laude – 28:

The student has excellent command of the history of Latin theatrical literature, accurately contextualizing its main authors and confidently navigating the system of literary genres both diachronically and synchronically. They are able to precisely situate literary phenomena within their historical and cultural context; their language use is consistently correct, demonstrating mastery of the field’s specialized vocabulary; they can analyze a Latin text in translation thoroughly and insightfully, recognizing all semantic, stylistic, and rhetorical features.

         •        27 – 23:

The student has good knowledge of the history of Latin theatrical literature, correctly identifying its main authors and adequately navigating the system of genres; they are able to contextualize literary phenomena within their historical and cultural setting; their language use is appropriate and generally includes the field’s specialized terminology; they can analyze a Latin text in translation with confidence, grasping its main semantic, stylistic, and rhetorical aspects.

         •        22 – 18:

The student demonstrates a general understanding of the history of Latin theatrical literature, is aware of its main authors and genres; they are able to contextualize the most important literary facts within the historical and cultural landscape; their language is generally correct, though they may lack full mastery of specialized terminology; despite some uncertainties, they can comprehend and analyze a Latin text in translation in its semantic, stylistic, and rhetorical dimensions.

         •        Below 18:

The student does not demonstrate an understanding, even at a basic level, of the history of Latin theatrical literature, nor awareness of its main authors or genres; they are unable to contextualize key literary facts historically or culturally; their language is inadequate; they are unable to comprehend or analyze a Latin text in translation.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Adaptation of assessment methods for students with special educational needs / Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD)

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) can consult the guidelines for requesting services, compensatory tools, and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids at the following link: https://unige.it/sites/unige.it/files/2024-05/Linee%20guida%20per%20la%20richiesta%20di%20servizi%2C%20di%20strumenti%20compensativi%20e_o%20di%20misure%20dispensative%20e%20di%20ausili%20specifici%20Maggio%202024.pdf

Please note that to request exam adaptation, it is necessary to:

- Insert the certification on the University's website (servizionline.unige.it) in the "Students" section.

- Send, within 10 days from the exam date, an email to the responsible teacher to agree on the adaptation tools/measures, including in CC both the Teacher in Charge of School for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD (elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it) and the Sector for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).

- In the email, please specify: the name of the course; the date of the exam; the student's last name, first name, and student number; the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures considered functional and requested.

- The responsible teacher, upon confirmation from Prof. Colagrossi, will communicate which tools/measures can be accepted based on the didactic and evaluative methods of the exam.