Course program
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).
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Prerequisites
It is required an adequate knoweldge of the archaic age of Greek literature and a good knowledge of ancient Greek language.
Books
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
Frequency
Mandatory attendance. Non-attending students have to agree on a specific program with the teacher
Exam mode
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.
Lesson mode
The course will be mainly carried out in frontal classes and in practical lessons regarding the metrics of selected texts
