Humanistic Philology

The course aims to show students the patterns of the transmission of the Latin texts written in Classical Antiquity, in the Middle Ages and in the Humanism; the problems which arise and the techniques used to decipher the tradition; differences and similarities of textual criticism when applied to medieval and humanistic texts with respect to the ancient and modern ones.

Knowledge of the forms, patterns and channels of transmission of Latin texts from Late Antiquity to Humanism. Knowledge of the writing techniques in the Middle Ages. Knowledge of the role of institutions (libraries, schools, scriptoria, monasteries, bishoprics, courts, book trade) in the transmission of texts in the Middle Ages and Humanism.Knowledge of the transmission of Latin texts in the various European regions in the Middle Ages and Humanism. Knowledge of the methods of humanists in their approach to ancient texts, with consequences on the cultural activity of the time.
Ability to employ the basic technical lexicon of textual criticism. Ability to distinguish between the different types of manuscript evidence (e.g. direct and indirect tradition). Awareness of the different value of the available editions of a text, according to their different methodological lines. Critical awareness of the close connection between the knowledge we have of a text and the way in which this text has come down to us. Awareness of the historicity of methods of textual criticism, highlighted through the history of their applications.