Latin Literature (advanced)
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course presents an anthology of texts written in Latin, to improve the students' ability to comment them, at the light of the most up-to-date and exhaustive commentaries (CEFR - Level B2).
http://www.cusl.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sillabo-.pdf
http://www.cusl.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sillabo-.pdf
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge
At the end of the course, students will strengthen their ability to appraise and evaluate the language, the style and the socio-cultural function of a few Latin texts, of various typologies and literary genres, belonging to any chronological context.
Skills
Students are expected to be able to carry out a bibliographic research, with particular reference to the analysis and evaluation of the most useful commentaries to a few set texts.
At the end of the course, students will strengthen their ability to appraise and evaluate the language, the style and the socio-cultural function of a few Latin texts, of various typologies and literary genres, belonging to any chronological context.
Skills
Students are expected to be able to carry out a bibliographic research, with particular reference to the analysis and evaluation of the most useful commentaries to a few set texts.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Martial: form and communication. Units A and B: analysis of a selection of epigrams by Martial, with particular reference to Book X, and other texts connected to them (Statius; Pliny the Younger; Juvenal). The following will be addressed: philological issues and issues of language and style; choices of poetics (the recusatio); intertextuality and relationship with both Greek and Latin models; problems of imperial culture and society (including: literary patronage; relationship with imperial power and its modifications from the Flavians to Trajan; female figures; behavioral models for the senatorial class). Unit C will be mainly dedicated to reports (written and oral) by students and to invited lectures. The exam program will be completed by: translation and analysis of Book V; discussion of three articles chosen from a list that will be indicated during the course.
Prerequisites for admission
12 ECTS in Latin Language or Latin Literature
Classics students, only, or from the course Latin literature 'senza istituzioni di lingua'
B2 Latin Level.
Classics students, only, or from the course Latin literature 'senza istituzioni di lingua'
B2 Latin Level.
Teaching methods
Lectures in interaction with students; online interactive exercises.
Class attendance is therefore strongly recommended.
Class attendance is therefore strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Reference critical edition: M. Val. Martialis epigrammata, recognovit brevique adnotatione critique instruxit V.M. Lindsay, Oxonii 1903. A. Canobbio (ed.), M. Valerii Martialis, Epigrammaton liber quintus, Naples 2011. Other materials will be made available on the course website or indicated at lesson.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral exam. It consists of four parts. The examination aims to verify:
- the ability to discuss the texts presented during classes (Parts A,B,C) with critical readings (see the Ariel website);
- the ability to understand and comment the latin texts in program;
- the ability to understand some short texts at first sight (this part can be substituted by the active participation to the online interactive exercises and the classroom exercises).
- Presentation and discussion of an exegetic problem chosen by the student.
The passing mark is 18/30, the top mark is 30/30 (cum laude). The exam aims to evaluate the ability of students to understand and to comment on any Latin text; the skill in analysing and presenting the contents of a pre-defined set of texts (learned in class or autonomously); the appropriateness in the use of the technical language.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office
- the ability to discuss the texts presented during classes (Parts A,B,C) with critical readings (see the Ariel website);
- the ability to understand and comment the latin texts in program;
- the ability to understand some short texts at first sight (this part can be substituted by the active participation to the online interactive exercises and the classroom exercises).
- Presentation and discussion of an exegetic problem chosen by the student.
The passing mark is 18/30, the top mark is 30/30 (cum laude). The exam aims to evaluate the ability of students to understand and to comment on any Latin text; the skill in analysing and presenting the contents of a pre-defined set of texts (learned in class or autonomously); the appropriateness in the use of the technical language.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Merli Elena
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday 15-18.
Microsoft team: "Prof. Merli RICEVIMENTO". Code: aacfc3v