MM220 - GREEK LITERATURE

courses

ID:

MM220

Duration (hours):

48

CFU:

SSD:

LINGUA E LETTERATURA GRECA

Located in:

CHIETI

Url:

Course Details:

CULTURAL HERITAGE/ARCHEOLOGIA Year: 2

Year:

2025

Course Catalogue:

https://unich.coursecatalogue.cineca.it/af/2025?co...

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (01/10/2025 - 31/01/2026)

Course Objectives

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

The course is in line with the learning objectives of the BA course in “Lettere” and prepares for further study of the disciplines in MA courses and postgraduate degree courses.

SKILLS

At the end of the course the student should:

- gain a broad knowledge of the main authors and genres of ancient Greek literature;

- learn how to use the basic methodologies to study Greek literary texts;

- be able to translate Greek texts from the original language into Italian;

- be able to critically interpret ancient texts;

- develop awareness of the fundamental value of ancient civilizations for modern cultures.

SELF ASSESSMENT

The student will develop enough confidence to translate from ancient

Greek independently. Moreover, the student will gain independence of thought in analyzing and interpreting ancient texts, as well as in researching, collecting and discussing critical studies. Communicative skills

The student should be able to discuss the main subject matters both orally and in writing. In particular students should use the precise and appropriate terminology related to the specific discipline.

Course Prerequisites

Knowledge of ancient Greek.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, exercises, and seminars by Italian and foreign specialists.

Assessment Methods

Written and oral exam with final marks (out of thirty.) The written test consists of eight multiple choice questions on Greek morphology and syntax plus two open questions on the history of literature. To take the oral students must pass the written test. The grading scale goes from 1 to 30 with honours (cum laude): 1-17 fail, 18-21 sufficient, 22-24 fair, 25- 27 good, 28-29 very good, 30-30 with honours (cum laude) excellent.

Texts

- Homer, Iliad, book I: recommended edition D.B. Monro, T.W. Allen, Homeri Ilias, Oxford, any reprint; recommended Italian translation G. Cerri, Omero. Iliade, comment by A. Gostoli, BUR, Milano 2003.

- Homer, Odyssey, book XIX: J. Russo (ed.), Omero. Odissea. Libri XVII-XX, trans. G.A. Privitera, A. Mondadori, Milano, various reprint.

- G. Perrotta-B. Gentili-C. Catenacci, Polinnia. Poesia greca arcaica. D'Anna Editore, Messina-Firenze 2007 (III ed.).
- Euripides, Medea (ed. recommended H. van Looy [ed.], Stuttgart-Leipzig 1992): ll. 1-409; 446-662; 764-824; 1002-1080; 1121-1419.

- a handbook of history of Greek literature, to be chosen amongst: D. Del Corno, Letteratura greca, Principato, Milano 1995; L.E. Rossi, Letteratura greca, Firenze, Le Monnier, 1995; G.A. Privitera-R. Pretagostini, Storie e forme della letteratura greca, Torino, Einaudi, 1997; G. Guidorizzi, Letteratura greca. Da Omero al secolo VI d.C., Mondadori, Milano 2002; A. Rodighiero, S. Mazzoldi, D. Piovan, Con parole alate. Autori, testi e contesti della letteratura greca, Zanichelli, Bologna 2020 (or any other handbook approved by Professor Catenacci).
- as a supporting tool for exercises on metre, students will use B. Gentili- L. Lomiento, Metrica e ritmica. Storia delle forme poetiche nella Grecia antica, Mondadori, Milano 2003.

- a dictionary of classical mythology is recommended, e.g. P. Grimal, Enciclopedia della mitologia, Garzanti, Milano (any reprint).

PRINCIPLES OF GREEK LITERATURE

The course is divided in two parts. The first part will deal with topics related to the literary, historical and cultural framing of the most important authors and genres of Greek literature, from its origins to the late ancient age. Analyses will be carried out on original Greek texts.
The second part will focus on the analysis and critical interpretation of the poetry of Homer's Odyssey, book XIX.

Course Language

Italian

More information

There will be an entry test to assess the knowledge of Greek. Courses in Greek grammar and translation will complete the teaching modules.

A series of lessons and exercises on metrics will be given in the first module.

Non-attending students are required to contact professor Catenacci.