Medieval Latin Philology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course offers an overview of the methods of analysis and research on the Latin literary works of the Middle Ages, mainly with a philological approach. This objective is pursued mainly through the discussion of case-studies.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of the literary genres of medieval Latin literature. Linguistic and stylistic knowledge on the literary production of the Latin Middle Ages, on a wide chronological spectrum. Knowledge of methods and problems of textual criticism when applied to texts of medieval Latinity.
Ability in analyzing and interpreting literary texts written in Latin during the Middle Ages. Ability in linking literary works of the Middle Ages to their historical contexts. Mastery of basic bibliography in the field of medieval Latinity. Ability in using the technical lexicon of textual criticism, even in advanced analysis contexts.
Ability in analyzing and interpreting literary texts written in Latin during the Middle Ages. Ability in linking literary works of the Middle Ages to their historical contexts. Mastery of basic bibliography in the field of medieval Latinity. Ability in using the technical lexicon of textual criticism, even in advanced analysis contexts.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
Subjects of the course are as follows:
1) Part A (institutional part), including some case studies on the methods of critical research in the field of medieval Latin literature (history and structure of medieval libraries, identification of sources, techniques of reuse, attribution criticism, translation into modern languages, relationship between text and image). To this topic 20 hours of frontal lessons will be dedicated.
2) Part B (monographic): in-depth study of a specific topic, which for the academic year 2026-27 will be the "Historia Langobardorum" by Paul the Deacon; 20 hours of lectures are dedicated to this topic.
3) Part C (seminarial): students will present individual or group work on topics related to the discipline; for the academic year 2026-27, the theme of these seminars is: "Paul the Deacon and his context". 20 hours are dedicated to this part of the course.
Students who take the exam for 6 ECTS must attend the institutional part and the monographic part (20+20 hours). Students taking the exam for 9 ECTS credits must also refer to the third part (seminar).
1) Part A (institutional part), including some case studies on the methods of critical research in the field of medieval Latin literature (history and structure of medieval libraries, identification of sources, techniques of reuse, attribution criticism, translation into modern languages, relationship between text and image). To this topic 20 hours of frontal lessons will be dedicated.
2) Part B (monographic): in-depth study of a specific topic, which for the academic year 2026-27 will be the "Historia Langobardorum" by Paul the Deacon; 20 hours of lectures are dedicated to this topic.
3) Part C (seminarial): students will present individual or group work on topics related to the discipline; for the academic year 2026-27, the theme of these seminars is: "Paul the Deacon and his context". 20 hours are dedicated to this part of the course.
Students who take the exam for 6 ECTS must attend the institutional part and the monographic part (20+20 hours). Students taking the exam for 9 ECTS credits must also refer to the third part (seminar).
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of philological language and techniques, Latin, medieval history is recommended.
Teaching methods
Lectures in presence (so called "mode alfa"). The first 40 hours of class will consist of lectures given by the professor, accompanied by the projection of images (which will be made available to students free of charge on the MyAriel course website) and reading of texts. Class discussion is encouraged, starting from the topics proposed, as a method for acquiring specific technical language and skills.
In the last 20 hours, students are required to complete a research and present their findings on specific topics assigned to them, with subsequent discussion in the classroom.
In the last 20 hours, students are required to complete a research and present their findings on specific topics assigned to them, with subsequent discussion in the classroom.
Teaching Resources
ATTENDING STUDENTS
Part A (monographic):
1) P. Chiesa, "Venticinque lezioni di filologia mediolatina", Firenze, SISMEL - Edizioni del Galluzzo 2016. The book is available in paper or as e-book (https://www.sismel.it/pubblicazioni/1507-venticinque-lezioni-di-filologia-mediolatina). The book is also available in an English version (only as e-book): "Medieval Latin Philology. An Overview through Case-Studies" (https://www.sismel.it/publications/1652-medieval-latin-philology-an-overview-through-case-studies). Only the sections of this book that were actually covered in class will be included on the exam.
2) G. Orlandi, "Scritti di filologia mediolatina", Firenze, SISMEL, 2008. Inside the book, students must study only the following essays: "Perché non possiamo non dirci lachmanniani" (pp. 95-130); "Lo scriba medievale e l'emendatio" (pp. 209-232); "Un dilemma editoriale: ortografia e morfologia nelle Historiae di Gregorio di Tours" (pp. 251-282).
Part B (monographic): the reference work is Paul the Deacon's "Historia Langobardorum", sections of which will be read and discussed in the original language. There are several editions of the Latin text with an Italian translation in frontpage, as those provided by Lidia Capo (Paolo Diacono, "Storia dei Longobardi", Roma-Milano, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla, 1992) or by Fabrizio Bordone (Paolo Diacono, "Storia dei Longobardi", Santarcangelo di Romagna, Rusconi, 2025.
At the start of the course, students will be provided with a handout containing the passages from the work that will actually be read during the monographic section.
.
Part C (seminar). For the seminar part, the material will be made available on the MyAriel website at the beginning of the lessons.
Students who take the exam for 6 ECTS will have to bring as examination program what is indicated in letters A and B. Student who take the exam for 9 ECTS will have to bring, in addition to what is indicated in letters A and B, the personal work carried out in the seminar.
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Students taking exam for 6 ECTS:
1) P. Chiesa, "Venticinque lezioni di filologia mediolatina," Florence, SISMEL - Edizioni del Galluzzo 2016. The book is available in print or as an e-book (https://www.sismel.it/pubblicazioni/1507-venticinque-lezioni-di-filologia-mediolatina); an English-language version is also available, exclusively as an e-book: "Medieval Latin Philology. An Overview through Case-Studies" (https://www.sismel.it/publications/1652-medieval-latin-philology-an-overview-through-case-studies). Non-attending students will be expected to have knowledge of the whole book.
2) Paolo Diacono, "Historia Langobardorum", which must be read in its entirety in translation. Students are also required to read and be familiar with the third book of the work in Latin; during the exam, this knowledge will be assessed through the translation of a passage. Students must also independently acquire a general understanding of the work's historical and literary aspects, as provided in the introductions to the editions by Lidia Capo (Paolo Diacono, "Storia dei Longobardi", Rome-Milan, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla, 1992) or by Fabrizio Bordone (Paolo Diacono, "Storia dei Longobardi", Santarcangelo di Romagna, Rusconi, 2025), which are also recommended for the Latin texts.
Students taking exam for 9 ECTS:
In addition to the required reading for students taking the 6 ECTS non-attending exam, knowledge of the following is required:
1) G. Orlandi, "Scritti di filologia mediolatina," Florence, SISMEL, 2008. The following essays in this volume must be studied: "Perché non possiamo non dirci lachmanniani" (pp. 95-130); "Lo scriba medievale e l'emendatio" (pp. 209-232); "Un dilemma editoriale: ortografia e morfologia nelle Historiae di Gregorio di Tours" (pp. 251-282).
2) Paul the Deacon, "Historia Langobardorum," reading and knowledge of the fifth book in Latin; during the exam, this knowledge will be assessed through the translation of a passage.
Part A (monographic):
1) P. Chiesa, "Venticinque lezioni di filologia mediolatina", Firenze, SISMEL - Edizioni del Galluzzo 2016. The book is available in paper or as e-book (https://www.sismel.it/pubblicazioni/1507-venticinque-lezioni-di-filologia-mediolatina). The book is also available in an English version (only as e-book): "Medieval Latin Philology. An Overview through Case-Studies" (https://www.sismel.it/publications/1652-medieval-latin-philology-an-overview-through-case-studies). Only the sections of this book that were actually covered in class will be included on the exam.
2) G. Orlandi, "Scritti di filologia mediolatina", Firenze, SISMEL, 2008. Inside the book, students must study only the following essays: "Perché non possiamo non dirci lachmanniani" (pp. 95-130); "Lo scriba medievale e l'emendatio" (pp. 209-232); "Un dilemma editoriale: ortografia e morfologia nelle Historiae di Gregorio di Tours" (pp. 251-282).
Part B (monographic): the reference work is Paul the Deacon's "Historia Langobardorum", sections of which will be read and discussed in the original language. There are several editions of the Latin text with an Italian translation in frontpage, as those provided by Lidia Capo (Paolo Diacono, "Storia dei Longobardi", Roma-Milano, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla, 1992) or by Fabrizio Bordone (Paolo Diacono, "Storia dei Longobardi", Santarcangelo di Romagna, Rusconi, 2025.
At the start of the course, students will be provided with a handout containing the passages from the work that will actually be read during the monographic section.
.
Part C (seminar). For the seminar part, the material will be made available on the MyAriel website at the beginning of the lessons.
Students who take the exam for 6 ECTS will have to bring as examination program what is indicated in letters A and B. Student who take the exam for 9 ECTS will have to bring, in addition to what is indicated in letters A and B, the personal work carried out in the seminar.
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Students taking exam for 6 ECTS:
1) P. Chiesa, "Venticinque lezioni di filologia mediolatina," Florence, SISMEL - Edizioni del Galluzzo 2016. The book is available in print or as an e-book (https://www.sismel.it/pubblicazioni/1507-venticinque-lezioni-di-filologia-mediolatina); an English-language version is also available, exclusively as an e-book: "Medieval Latin Philology. An Overview through Case-Studies" (https://www.sismel.it/publications/1652-medieval-latin-philology-an-overview-through-case-studies). Non-attending students will be expected to have knowledge of the whole book.
2) Paolo Diacono, "Historia Langobardorum", which must be read in its entirety in translation. Students are also required to read and be familiar with the third book of the work in Latin; during the exam, this knowledge will be assessed through the translation of a passage. Students must also independently acquire a general understanding of the work's historical and literary aspects, as provided in the introductions to the editions by Lidia Capo (Paolo Diacono, "Storia dei Longobardi", Rome-Milan, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla, 1992) or by Fabrizio Bordone (Paolo Diacono, "Storia dei Longobardi", Santarcangelo di Romagna, Rusconi, 2025), which are also recommended for the Latin texts.
Students taking exam for 9 ECTS:
In addition to the required reading for students taking the 6 ECTS non-attending exam, knowledge of the following is required:
1) G. Orlandi, "Scritti di filologia mediolatina," Florence, SISMEL, 2008. The following essays in this volume must be studied: "Perché non possiamo non dirci lachmanniani" (pp. 95-130); "Lo scriba medievale e l'emendatio" (pp. 209-232); "Un dilemma editoriale: ortografia e morfologia nelle Historiae di Gregorio di Tours" (pp. 251-282).
2) Paul the Deacon, "Historia Langobardorum," reading and knowledge of the fifth book in Latin; during the exam, this knowledge will be assessed through the translation of a passage.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Oral examination, in a single test, with a mark out of thirty (minimum passing grade 18); the mark is communicated at the end of the exam.
1) Evaluated knowledge: Knowledge of methods and problems of textual criticism when applied to texts of medieval Latinity. Knowledge of the literary genres of medieval Latin literature. Linguistic and stylistic knowledge on the literary production of the Latin Middle Ages. 2) Evaluated abilities: Ability in analysing and interpreting literary texts written in Latin during the Middle Ages. Ability in connecting literary works of the Middle Ages to their historical contexts. Mastery of basic bibliography in the field of medieval Latinity. Ability in using the technical lexicon of textual criticism, even in advanced analysis contexts. 3) Knowledge of Medieval Latin, demonstrated through the translation of a passage selected from the course materials.
Assessment criteria: 1) level of knowledge; 2) language property in the specific matter; 3) effectiveness of exposure; 4) ability in linking topics; 5) critical perspective.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher early. The assessment procedures for students with disabilities and / or with SLD must be discussed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
1) Evaluated knowledge: Knowledge of methods and problems of textual criticism when applied to texts of medieval Latinity. Knowledge of the literary genres of medieval Latin literature. Linguistic and stylistic knowledge on the literary production of the Latin Middle Ages. 2) Evaluated abilities: Ability in analysing and interpreting literary texts written in Latin during the Middle Ages. Ability in connecting literary works of the Middle Ages to their historical contexts. Mastery of basic bibliography in the field of medieval Latinity. Ability in using the technical lexicon of textual criticism, even in advanced analysis contexts. 3) Knowledge of Medieval Latin, demonstrated through the translation of a passage selected from the course materials.
Assessment criteria: 1) level of knowledge; 2) language property in the specific matter; 3) effectiveness of exposure; 4) ability in linking topics; 5) critical perspective.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher early. The assessment procedures for students with disabilities and / or with SLD must be discussed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
FLMR-01/A - Medieval and Humanistic Latin Literature - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
FLMR-01/A - Medieval and Humanistic Latin Literature - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)