Classics

LUCA BETTARINI
LUCA BETTARINI

At the end of the course the student: will acquire an adequate knowledge of ancient Greek literature of the classical, Hellenistic and Roman age (Dublin descriptor n. 1); will be able both to place the main literary genres of these periods in context and will consolidate his skills through analysis and interpretation of some selected texts of both these periods (Dublin descriptor n. 2); will be capable to form a personal opinion of the course’s main arguments (Dublin descriptor n. 3); will be capable to speak about the course’s main arguments with specialists and non-specialists and will look for problems’ solution (Dublin descriptor n. 4); will able to study the main aspects of Greek literature and language in depth and independently (Dublin descriptor n. 5).

At the end of the course the student: will acquire an adequate knowledge of ancient Greek literature of the classical, Hellenistic and Roman age (Dublin descriptor n. 1); will be able both to place the main literary genres of these periods in context and will consolidate his skills through analysis and interpretation of some selected texts of both these periods (Dublin descriptor n. 2); will be capable to form a personal opinion of the course’s main arguments (Dublin descriptor n. 3); will be capable to speak about the course’s main arguments with specialists and non-specialists and will look for problems’ solution (Dublin descriptor n. 4); will able to study the main aspects of Greek literature and language in depth and independently (Dublin descriptor n. 5).

It is required an adequate knoweldge of the archaic age of Greek literature and a good knowledge of ancient Greek language.

General part: Greek Literature of the classical, Hellenistic and Roman age
Monographic course: The Portrayal of the Figure of Heracles in Classical and Post-Classical Literature
The course aims to present Greek literature from the Classical and Hellenistic-imperial periods, using as its main through-line the various characterizations of the figure of Heracles who, after being the quintessential civilizing hero in Archaic Literature, becomes a multifaceted protagonist in Classical-era tragedy and comedy (Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes), and takes on “bourgeois” traits in Hellenistic literature (Apollonius Rhodius, Theocritus, epigrams).
.

A handbook of History of Greek Literature of classical, Hellenistic and Roman age at the choice of the student (for example L.E. Rossi - R. Nicolai, Storia e testi della letteratura greca. Vol. I L’età arcaica, Firenze (Le Monnier) 2003 + Vol. II: L'età classica, Firenze (Le Monnier) 2003 + L.E. Rossi - R. Nicolai, Storia e testi della letteratura greca. Vol. III: L'età ellenistica e l’età imperiale romana, Firenze (Le Monnier) 2003;

P.E. Esterling, Sophoclis Trachiniae, Cambridge 1982
G. Avezzù, P. Pucci, Sofocle, Filottete, Milano 2011 (collana Lorenzo Valla)
D.J. Conacher, Euripides, Alcestis, Warminster 1988
G. Zanetto, Aristofane, Gli Uccelli, Milano 2000 (collana Lorenzo Valla)
A. Ardizzoni, Apollonio Rodio, Le Argonautiche, libro I, Bari 1958
A. S. F. Gow, Theocritus, Cambridge 19522
B. M. Palumbo, Teocrito. Idilli e epigrammi, (BUR) Milano 20212
A.S.F. Gow - D. L. Page, The Greek Anthology: Hellenistic Epigrams, I-II, Oxford 1965

Recommended italian editions for the Platonic dialogue:
E. Savino, Platone, Simposio, Apologia, Critone e Fedone, Milano (Mondadori)
M.M. Sassi, Platone, Apologia di Socrate e Critone, Milano (BUR)
B. Centrone, A. Traglia, Platone, Eutifrone, Apologia di Socrate e Critone, Torino 2010 (Einaudi)



Other essays and/or books to be read will be suggested in class

The course will be mainly carried out in frontal classes and in practical lessons regarding the metrics of selected texts

Mandatory attendance. Non-attending students have to agree on a specific program with the teacher

Assessment methods consist of a final oral exam that provides questions regarding the course’s arguments; there will be also a written exam, that is a translation from ancient Greek: the student will be admitted to the oral exam only if he will pass the written one.

Read, translate and comment on the following passage…
Examine metric, linguistic and stylistic features of the following passage…
Contextualize authors and literary genres of the Greek literature in classical, Hellenistic and Roman ages.

• Heracles and Greek tragedy
  • Books: P.E. Esterling, Sophoclis Trachiniae, Cambridge 1982G. Avezzù, P. Pucci, Sofocle, Filottete, Milano 2011 (collana Lorenzo Valla)D.J. Conacher, Euripides, Alcestis, Warminster 1988


• Heracles and Greek comedy
  • Books: G. Zanetto, Aristofane, Gli Uccelli, Milano 2000 (collana Lorenzo Valla)


• Heracles and Hellenistic literature
  • Books: A. Ardizzoni, Apollonio Rodio, Le Argonautiche, libro I, Bari 1958; A. S. F. Gow, Theocritus, Cambridge 1952; A.S.F. Gow - D. L. Page, The Greek Anthology: Hellenistic Epigrams, I-II, Oxford 1965