Learning outcomes

The course proposes an approach to Latin language and literature through the reading of a sample of original texts, selected in order to support a reflection on cultural categories relevant to Roman antiquity; a linguistic and historico-literary analysis of the chosen passages will be integrated by the examination of their references to ancient monumental and iconographic imagery. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of the Latin language.

Expected learning outcomes: at the end of the course students will be able to
-know phonetics, morphology and basic syntax of the Latin language;  
-know the essential features of Latin literature;
-translate and analyze the texts chosen for the course;
-develop autonomous comprehension and interpretation skills, with regard to the cultural and historico-literary context of the chosen passages, as well as to their figurative and artistic references;
-develop autonomous comprehension and interpretation skills, with regard to the habit of comparing different cultures and cultural categories;
-improve the following communication skills by translating the texts: to practice a metalinguistic reflection; to improve and expand the specialized vocabulary of historico-literary language, as well as the Latin lexicon connected to the semantic fields relevant to the chosen texts.


Program

Mythical figures as Prometheus, Daedalus, Pygmalion and their extraordinary works will be investigated through the direct reading of passages from Ovid and other Latin authors. The comparison between the mythical tales and some pages of Pliny the Elder will allow us to reflect on concepts, functions and the vocabulary of image and artistic creation in the Roman world.

An anthology of texts will be provided in moodle. If possible, it is planned to combine the lectures with forms of seminar activities.

Texts:
-Ovidio, Metamorfosi, a cura di A. Barchiesi, Milano, Valla, 2005, vol. 1; vol. 4 a cura di E.J. Kenney, 2011; vol. 5 a cura di J.D. Reed, 2013.
-Plinio, Mineralogia e storia dell’arte: libri 33-37, a cura di A. Corso, R. Mugellesi, G. Rosati, Torino 1988.

-A. Cavarzere-A. De Vivo-P. Mastandrea, Letteratura latina. Una sintesi storica, Roma, Carocci, 2003 (percorsi scelti).

Readings:
-M. Bettini, W.M. Short (a cura di), Con i Romani. Un’antropologia della cultura antica, Bologna 2014.
-M. Bettini, Il ritratto dell’amante, Torino 1992.
-F. Ghedini, Il poeta del mito. Ovidio e il suo tempo, Roma 2018.

Bibliografia

Examination Methods