B004613 - CLASSICAL PHILOLOGY

Italian

Introduction to the history of Classical texts from antiquity up to the modern age; methods and techniques of textual criticism; critical analysis of ancient Greek and Latin texts.

Martin W. West, “Textual Criticism and Editorial Technique”, Stuttgart 1973

L.D. Reynolds, N.G. Wilson, “Scribes and Scholars. A guide to the Transmission of Greek and Latin Literature”, Oxford 2013_4

G. Pasquali, s.v. Edizione, in Enciclopedia italiana [1932], repr. in Id., “Rapsodia sul classico”, Roma, Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana 1986, 255-267

Plutarco, De tranquillitate animi

Seneca, De tranquillitate animi

Knowledge of the history of the transmission of Classical texts in its essential lines, as well as of the formation of the modern philological methodology through the centuries (from Classical Antiquity up to the modern age). Command of methods and techniques of textual criticism. Capability of analysing a Classcial literary text under a text-critical and a philological perspective. Competence in reading and understanding a critical edition of a Greek and/or a Latin work.

Very good knowledge of Greek and Latin language and literature. Knowledge of Greek and Latin prosody, of the dactylic hexameter and of the main iambic metres.

Taught classes.
The course is mostly constituted by taught classes. Students will participate in reading, translating and commenting the passages discussed in class.

The teacher will provide scanned or printed copies of the critical editions indicated in the program, which are all available at the University Library. The choice of a particular Italian/English translation, still available on market, can be discussed with the teacher in person.

Oral examination.
Along with the knowledge of the main phases of the history of the transmission of Classical texts, the examination aims to verify the student’s capability of translating, understanding and analyzing Classical literary texts under a text-critical perspective. The student’s philological skills will be evaluated through the critical exegesis and commentary of some of the Greek and Latin passages discussed in class, as well as of other passages from the works included in the program (and not necessarily commented upon in class). The student is supposed to show his/her skills in understanding and translating the text as well as in discussing it from a critical point of view.

The interactive part of the course will allow the teacher to verify the understanding of the topics progressively explained in class.

INTRODUCTION TO THE TEXTUAL CRITICISM (AND A READING OF PLUTARCH’S DE TRANQUILLITATE ANIMI).

The first part of the course concerns the essential lines of the history and transmission of ancient Classical texts, with elements of the history of studies. Particular attention is devoted to the origins of the grammatical and philological activities in Greek and Roman World. The illustration of the main phases of the history of Classical Philology is also elucidated with the support of textual examples, or through the description and illustration of ancient manuscripts (papyri and codices) which are variously connected with the topic explained during the lesson.
The second part focuses on the methods and techniques of textual criticism, as developed by main scholars. Students’ direct activities are of particular importance during this part of the course. Taught classes will alternate with interactive moments during which students will learn to read and understand critical apparatuses of Greek and Latin texts.
The third and final part of the course concerns the transmission of Plutarch’s "De tranquillitate animi". Some passages from this work will be translated and commented upon during the course; the analysis will be particularly focused on the textual problems and the ecdotic choices of the editors. Plutarch’s passages to be read and analysed in class will be chosen also on the basis of their points of contact with Seneca’s "De tranquillitate animi"; the comparison between the two works will encourage to explore their possible common sources.
In view of the final examination both Plutarch’s and Seneca’s "De tranquillitate animi" have to be entirely read and translated by students.

During the course the teacher will provide textual handouts and will use power-point presentations in support of the lessons. All integrative materials will be uploaded on Moodle Platform.

The following editions will be adopted:

Plutarchus. Moralia III_De tranquillitate animi (464E-477F), ed. Pohlenz, Leipzig: Teubner, 1929 (reprinted in 1972); Eng. transl.: W.C. Helmbold (ed.), "On tranquillity of mind", in Plutarch. Moralia VI, Loeb Classical Library, Cambridge (Mass.)-London, 1939

L. Annaei Senecae: Dialogorum Libri Duodecim. Liber IX: De tranquillitate animi, L.D. Reynolds ed., Oxford 1977; Eng. transl.: J.W. Basore (ed.), "On tranquillity of mind", in Seneca. Moral Essays, volume II, Loeb Classical Library, Cambridge (Mass.)-London, 1932

The program includes also:

Martin L. West, "Textual Criticism and Editorial Technique", Stuttgart 1973, parts I and II.

L.D. Reynolds, N.G. Wilson, "Scribes and Scholars. A guide to the Transmission of Greek and Latin Literature", Oxford 2013_4

G. Pasquali, s.v. Edizione, in Enciclopedia italiana [1932], repr. in Id., ‘Rapsodia sul classico”, Roma, Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana 1986, 255-267