Classical Philology

A.Y. 2022/2023
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
L-FIL-LET/05
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a basic counsciousness about the foundations of the philological method and its historical development; a choice of texts and authors from Greek and Latin literature is connected to this purpose.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: Knowledge of the texts treated in class providing a translation and a text-critical commentary, and placing them, at least in general terms, in their historical-literary context.

Skills: Methodological awareness of the principles of philological study (text criticism and history of the manuscript tradition); skill in using the main methods of bibliographical referencing and bibliographical searches, especially with regard to the editions used or mentioned.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
· Teaching part A (20 hours; 3 cfu): Philip of Thessalonica and his "Garland" of epigrams.
This first part aims to present to the students textual and interpretative questions concerning the epigrammist Philip of Thessalonica (first half of the 1st century BC), and his activity as an anthologizer of epigrammists who later merged into the tradition of the "Greek Anthology".
· Teaching part B (20 hours; 3 credits): Looking at Plinius the Younger as epistolographer.
The second part of the course will be dedicated to examining the textual tradition and main themes of Pliny's collection of epistles, through an adequate anthological selection.
· Teaching part C (20 hours; 3 credits): Objectives and methods of classical philology
In continuity with the texts and problems considered in the first two units, the third will provide the opportunity to reflect in a more systematic way on the methods of classical philology and on the historical development of classical philological studies.
Prerequisites for admission
Secondary school knowledge of Latin and Greek and of the history of Greek and Latin literatures in their general outlines.
Teaching methods
· formal lectures
· attendance is strongly recommended
Teaching Resources
· Teaching part A: A.S.F. Gow-D.L. Page (eds), The Greek Anthology. The Garland of Philip, I-II, Cambridge 1968.
· Teaching part B: R.A.B. Mynors (ed.), C. Plini Caecili Secundi epistularum libri decem, Oxford 1963, repr. 2013; G. Vannini, Plinio il Giovane. 50 lettere, Mondadori, Milano 2019.
· Teaching part C: L.D. Reynolds-N.G. Wilson, Scribes and Scholars, Oxford 20134, chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 6.
· Course hand-outs provided in class and on the VLE Ariel

Non-attending students are invited to contact the lecturer promptly
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination:
· discussion based on the indicated chapters of Reynolds-Wilson (teaching part C)
· translation and appropriate contextualization of Greek and Latin texts addressed in the units A and B

Assessment criteria:
· ability to translate the texts treated during the course
· knowledge of the context of the aforementioned texts
· understanding of the philological method and the historical development of classical philological studies
· critical knowledge of the philological issues proper of the studied texts

Marks are out of 30.
L-FIL-LET/05 - CLASSICAL PHILOLOGY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
On Fridays, from 3 to 6 p.m.
Papirological Library, Via Festa del Perdono, 5th Floor