Latin Literature
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims at: a) improving language skills of students, in agreement with level A2 of the Linguistic Certification of Latin (http://www.cusl.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sillabo-.pdf); b) leading students to the comprehension of Latin texts read in the original language, through the analysis of significant passages of prose and verse; c) transmitting tools and methods for a deep exegesis of Latin texts aiming to highlight their cultural complexity; d) providing a short picture of the history of Latin literature; e) highlighting challenging correspondences between language, literature and the arts, from Antiquity to Contemporary Age.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will have achieved: a) a proper knowledge of morphology and syntax of the Latin language, and of the fundamentals of prosody; b) the understanding of the passages read in class; c) the knowledge of contents and relation with the historical-social context; d) the full knowledge of the main features of Latin literary history; e) the awareness of the development of Latin literature with respect to the permanence of Latin classics in modernity.
Pursuing the study, the student will be able to face the original Latin texts, placing each of them in the historical and cultural context. The student will also be able to apply the acquired skills to improve his competence in Italian and evaluate the importance of the permanence of the Latin classics in a wider cultural context.
Pursuing the study, the student will be able to face the original Latin texts, placing each of them in the historical and cultural context. The student will also be able to apply the acquired skills to improve his competence in Italian and evaluate the importance of the permanence of the Latin classics in a wider cultural context.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
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
(A D)
Lesson period
Second semester
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
(E N)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is composed of three parts. It is about "luxury in Roman culture (luxuria)". The general purpose of the course is to provide an overview of the literary culture and language of ancient Rome. The course will be held in person.
Module A - Language (Prof. M. Rossetti) This module is devoted to the Latin language, with the aim of consolidating fundamental morphosyntactic structures in accordance with level A2 of the Latin Language Certification. The focus will be on improving comprehension of texts in the original language through the analysis of sentences and short passages by Latin authors. Particular attention will be paid to the syntax of participles, gerunds, and gerundives, as well as to subjunctive clauses and to accusative and infinitive clauses.
Module B - Vocabulary and Roman Culture (Prof. M. Rossetti) This module aims to build a working vocabulary of Latin words and expressions, in order to enhance linguistic and metalinguistic skills and to foster awareness of the legacy of Latin in modern languages and cultures. Students will read and contextualize (from a lexical perspective) prose and poetic passages by Latin authors, and targeted exercises will be offered to reinforce a basic vocabulary. This module also contributes to the development of language skills in line with level A2 of the Latin Language Certification. In addition, the module deepens some of the historical and literary contents introduced in Module C. A central topic of discussion will be the concept of luxuria, a key notion for understanding Roman culture. Difficult to render in a single modern equivalent, luxuria in the Latin world refers to a kind of excess, whether in wealth, bodily pleasures, adornment, or, more broadly, a loss of moderation.
Module C - Literature (Prof. S. Stucchi) This module is designed to provide students with a general framework of the history of Latin literature, from its origins through to the 4th century AD. The principal literary genres will be introduced through selected thematic explorations, with readings of significant texts in translation.
Students who are not attending are required to contact the teacher before the course begins. However, please note that the syllabus for attending students applies also to non-attending ones.
Module A - Language (Prof. M. Rossetti) This module is devoted to the Latin language, with the aim of consolidating fundamental morphosyntactic structures in accordance with level A2 of the Latin Language Certification. The focus will be on improving comprehension of texts in the original language through the analysis of sentences and short passages by Latin authors. Particular attention will be paid to the syntax of participles, gerunds, and gerundives, as well as to subjunctive clauses and to accusative and infinitive clauses.
Module B - Vocabulary and Roman Culture (Prof. M. Rossetti) This module aims to build a working vocabulary of Latin words and expressions, in order to enhance linguistic and metalinguistic skills and to foster awareness of the legacy of Latin in modern languages and cultures. Students will read and contextualize (from a lexical perspective) prose and poetic passages by Latin authors, and targeted exercises will be offered to reinforce a basic vocabulary. This module also contributes to the development of language skills in line with level A2 of the Latin Language Certification. In addition, the module deepens some of the historical and literary contents introduced in Module C. A central topic of discussion will be the concept of luxuria, a key notion for understanding Roman culture. Difficult to render in a single modern equivalent, luxuria in the Latin world refers to a kind of excess, whether in wealth, bodily pleasures, adornment, or, more broadly, a loss of moderation.
Module C - Literature (Prof. S. Stucchi) This module is designed to provide students with a general framework of the history of Latin literature, from its origins through to the 4th century AD. The principal literary genres will be introduced through selected thematic explorations, with readings of significant texts in translation.
Students who are not attending are required to contact the teacher before the course begins. However, please note that the syllabus for attending students applies also to non-attending ones.
Prerequisites for admission
It is required a language proficiency (vocabulary and grammar) corresponding to level A1 of Latin Language Certificates (http://www.cusl.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sillabo-.pdf). N.B. the course is only open to Bachelor's Degree in Cultural Heritage (L - 1) students. Not others students will be admitted.
Teaching methods
The course includes traditional lectures, in-class exercises, and interactive activities available through the Moodle-MyAriel platform. Attendance is strongly recommended. Throughout the course, students will be introduced to a range of digital tools that support the study of Latin, such as Collatinus, online dictionaries, text corpora, platforms for creating concept maps and flashcards, and repositories of grammar and vocabulary exercises. Time will also be devoted to exploring selected applications of generative artificial intelligence in the learning of Latin language and vocabulary.
Teaching Resources
Module A: Materials, exercises (on MyAriel) and texts will be provided during the course. A high school grammar book is recommended.
Module B: F. R. Berno, Luxuria. Storie di banchetti, ville e altri eccessi nell'antica Roma, Salerno editore, 2025. Materials, exercises (on MyAriel) and texts will be provided during the course.
Module C: It is necessary to supplement the lecture content with the study of one of the following manuals:
G. Garbarino - L. Pasquariello - M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022.
G. B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Le Monnier, 2019.
P. Fedeli - E. Malaspina - L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, Utet Università, 2023.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Old Age Poetry (general survey); Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); comedy: Plautus and Terence.
Late Republican Age: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Cato the Censor, Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny the Elder
Neronian Age literature: Seneca Minor and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
Trajan's age literature: Juvenal, Pliny the younger
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
Early Christian literature: Minucius Felix and Tertullianus
Jerome Augustine and Ambrose
Ammianus Marcellinus Ausonius and Claudianus
An anthology of texts in translation present in the indicated textbook will be indicated at the beginning of the course.
Module B: F. R. Berno, Luxuria. Storie di banchetti, ville e altri eccessi nell'antica Roma, Salerno editore, 2025. Materials, exercises (on MyAriel) and texts will be provided during the course.
Module C: It is necessary to supplement the lecture content with the study of one of the following manuals:
G. Garbarino - L. Pasquariello - M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022.
G. B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Le Monnier, 2019.
P. Fedeli - E. Malaspina - L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, Utet Università, 2023.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Old Age Poetry (general survey); Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); comedy: Plautus and Terence.
Late Republican Age: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Cato the Censor, Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny the Elder
Neronian Age literature: Seneca Minor and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
Trajan's age literature: Juvenal, Pliny the younger
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
Early Christian literature: Minucius Felix and Tertullianus
Jerome Augustine and Ambrose
Ammianus Marcellinus Ausonius and Claudianus
An anthology of texts in translation present in the indicated textbook will be indicated at the beginning of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two parts: a written test assessing the lexical and linguistic skills acquired (Modules A-B), which must correspond to the A2 level of the Latin Language Certification, and an oral examination (Modules B-C). Passing the written test is a prerequisite for accessing the oral exam. The written test is divided into two sections: the first assesses lexical competence, while the second evaluates linguistic analysis skills. Detailed information will be provided at the beginning of the course. The written test is administered before the oral exam in every examination session. The oral exam consists of a discussion on the history of Latin literature (Module C) and aspects of Roman civilization (Module B). Students are expected to be familiar with the development of Latin literary history and its reception in modern cultural heritage, as covered in the course. The exam will assess the accuracy of students' exposition of literary issues and their ability to analyze texts discussed in class. Evaluation criteria include linguistic accuracy, clarity of argumentation, the ability to articulate acquired knowledge effectively, and the capacity to establish connections between different parts of the syllabus or related disciplines. The final grade (written test + oral exam) is expressed on a 30-point scale.
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Rossetti Matteo
Part C
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Stucchi Silvia
(O Z)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course consists of three parts:
- the first and second parts aim to build a vocabulary of Latin words and phrases in order to improve linguistic and metalinguistic skills in Italian, develop language skills in accordance with level A2 of the Latin Language Certificate, promote comprehension of simple texts in the original language through the analysis of sentences or short passages of Latin authors and increase awareness of the permanence of Latin in modern languages and cultures;
- the third part offers an overview of Latin literature, with a focus on its most important turning points and their continuity in the modern cultural heritage.
The vocabulary of latin words will be focused on the concept of "luxuria".
Non-attending students are required to follow the bibliographic indications given to attending students.
- the first and second parts aim to build a vocabulary of Latin words and phrases in order to improve linguistic and metalinguistic skills in Italian, develop language skills in accordance with level A2 of the Latin Language Certificate, promote comprehension of simple texts in the original language through the analysis of sentences or short passages of Latin authors and increase awareness of the permanence of Latin in modern languages and cultures;
- the third part offers an overview of Latin literature, with a focus on its most important turning points and their continuity in the modern cultural heritage.
The vocabulary of latin words will be focused on the concept of "luxuria".
Non-attending students are required to follow the bibliographic indications given to attending students.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is reserved exclusively for students enrolled in the three-year course in Cultural Heritage Sciences at the Università Statale di Milano. It is required a lexical and grammatical proficiency of Latin corresponding to level A1 of the Latin Language Certificate (http://www.cusl.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sillabo-.pdf). The corresponding SLAM course is dedicated to the acquisition of the A1 level, for those who have not acquired the rudiments of Latin in their previous studies, or to an improvement. However, care will be taken to recover some fundamentals of Latin during the course.
Teaching methods
Lectures; interactive classroom exercises. During the course, various computer tools useful for the study of Latin will be illustrated.
Class attendance is strongly recommended, especially for those who have not had the opportunity to learn Latin in their previous studies.
Class attendance is strongly recommended, especially for those who have not had the opportunity to learn Latin in their previous studies.
Teaching Resources
Part 1 and Part 2 (vocabulary and language): texts and teaching materials will be made available on the Ariel website as the course progresses. Any Latin language textbook for high school can be consulted as a teaching aid. Recommended: N. Flocchini, Il nuovo Latina arbor, Rizzoli. Non-attending students could study the book of F.R. Berno, "Luxuria. Storie di banchetti, ville e altri eccessi nell'Antica Roma", Roma 2025 for the vocabulary part.
Part 3 (literature): G. Garbarino, L. Pasquariello, M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022. Moreover, texts and didactic resources will be available on the Ariel website of the course.
Alternative textbooks (in case the one mentioned above is no longer available): G.B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Seconda edizione, Le Monnier Università, Milano 2019; P. Fedeli, E. Malaspina, L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, UTET Università, Torino 2023.
Supplementary booklet with summaries and maps of authors and key concepts (recommended):G. Garbarino, M. Manca, L. Pasquariello, De te fabula narratur. I concetti base della letteratura latina, a cura di F. Demarchi e M.G. Palazzo, Paravia, Torino 2020.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Pre-literary forms, the birth of literature and archaic poetry (general characters); Nevius and Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); commedy: Plautus and Terence.
Poetry in the Age of Caesar: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero (oratory, literature, rhetoric, politics and philosophy).
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny Maior.
Neronian Age literature: Seneca and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
The satire of the imperial age: Persius and Juvenal.
The literature of the Trajan era: Pliny the Younger and Suetonius.
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
However, it is recommended to contact the lecturer for further information or to dispel any doubts.
Part 3 (literature): G. Garbarino, L. Pasquariello, M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022. Moreover, texts and didactic resources will be available on the Ariel website of the course.
Alternative textbooks (in case the one mentioned above is no longer available): G.B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Seconda edizione, Le Monnier Università, Milano 2019; P. Fedeli, E. Malaspina, L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, UTET Università, Torino 2023.
Supplementary booklet with summaries and maps of authors and key concepts (recommended):G. Garbarino, M. Manca, L. Pasquariello, De te fabula narratur. I concetti base della letteratura latina, a cura di F. Demarchi e M.G. Palazzo, Paravia, Torino 2020.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Pre-literary forms, the birth of literature and archaic poetry (general characters); Nevius and Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); commedy: Plautus and Terence.
Poetry in the Age of Caesar: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero (oratory, literature, rhetoric, politics and philosophy).
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny Maior.
Neronian Age literature: Seneca and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
The satire of the imperial age: Persius and Juvenal.
The literature of the Trajan era: Pliny the Younger and Suetonius.
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
However, it is recommended to contact the lecturer for further information or to dispel any doubts.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of two parts:
- a computer-based written test to assess vocabulary and language skills (part one and part two of the course), which must correspond to level A2 of the Latin Language Certificate;
- an oral interview on vocabulary (part one of the course) and on the history of Latin literature (part three of the course). Students are expected to be familiar with the development of the history of Latin literature, according to what explained in the course and what is indicated in this syllabus under the name of "reference materials". The examination will test the accuracy in the analysis of literary problems, as well as the students' ownership of language and clarity of argumentation, ability to express the knowledge acquired and to propose connections between the different parts of the program or with related disciplines.
Passing the written test is mandatory for access to the oral part. The grade obtained in the written test contributes to the final grade. Students who have already achieved Level A2 of the Latin Language Certificate are exempt from the written test.
The final mark, which will result from the average of the written and oral tests, is expressed in thirtieths. Students who do not pass the oral part will be required to retake the written part of the examination at a later examination call.
- a computer-based written test to assess vocabulary and language skills (part one and part two of the course), which must correspond to level A2 of the Latin Language Certificate;
- an oral interview on vocabulary (part one of the course) and on the history of Latin literature (part three of the course). Students are expected to be familiar with the development of the history of Latin literature, according to what explained in the course and what is indicated in this syllabus under the name of "reference materials". The examination will test the accuracy in the analysis of literary problems, as well as the students' ownership of language and clarity of argumentation, ability to express the knowledge acquired and to propose connections between the different parts of the program or with related disciplines.
Passing the written test is mandatory for access to the oral part. The grade obtained in the written test contributes to the final grade. Students who have already achieved Level A2 of the Latin Language Certificate are exempt from the written test.
The final mark, which will result from the average of the written and oral tests, is expressed in thirtieths. Students who do not pass the oral part will be required to retake the written part of the examination at a later examination call.
Part A and B
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Giannuzzi Alessandra
Part C
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor:
Mantelli Francesco
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday/Thursday at 6.00 pm (during the class period)
room K11 via Noto
Reception:
Spring term: before or after class. The teacher, by appointment, is available for an online meeting.
Online (Mc. Teams) and Via Noto 8