Introduction to the basic knowledge of ancient Greek language for absolute beginners. Phonetics, morphology, grammar, and Greek lexicon with basic notions of syntax.
F. Montanari, A. Barabino, N. Marini Hesperia. Grammatica descrittiva della lingua greca, Torino Loescher 2011
C. Neri, Methodos. Corso di lingua e cultura greca, con la collaborazione G. Alvoni, R. Batisti, M. Olivieri, Firenze, D'Anna 2018
If previously discussed with the teacher, it is possible to employ other Greek grammars.
Learning Objectives
Students will learn skills in phonetics, morphology, syntax and Greek lexicon enabling them to read, understand and translate Greek texts of low and medium difficulty: first and second part.
Prerequisites
None, except for the knowledge of Italian language. The class is basically conceived for students with no experience with ancient Greek language.
Teaching Methods
Theoretical-practical: frontal lectures alternating with interactive reading, analysis and translation of texts. The course requires active participation in the classroom as well as independent work at home.
Further information
The laboratory requires constant independent training and study.
Type of Assessment
Intermediate tests aimed at providing a continuous feedback on the topics taught and learned in class. All the skills learned during the laboratory will be examined through a written translation and analysis of an ancient Greek text (low and medium difficulty) to be done at the end of the course. Through the final exam, grammatical notions as well as students' capability of comprehension and translation will be tested.
Course program
The first hours will be devoted to Greek phonetics and elementary notions useful to read properly ancient Greek prose texts: Greek alphabet, syllabic quantity, rules for Greek accentuation and main phonetical phenomena.
The remaining part of the first half of the course will be focused on the morphology of nominal parts of speech, along with lexicographical training and introductory elements to the verbal system and to the main morpho-syntactical constructs: the three declinations of names, classes and degree of adjectives, formations of adverbs; structure of the verbal system, diathesis and flexion; thematic and athematic verbs; principal and historical tenses, verbal aspect; the stem of the Present; most common particles and prepositions.
The second part of the course will be mainly devoted to pronouns and verb morphology, alternating with lexicographical training and introductory notions to the main morpho-syntactic constructs: pronouns; stem of the Aorist and of the Perfect; verbal adjectives; particles, adverbs and conjunctions; main prepositional constructs.