GREEK LITERATURE

The class will consist of a reading, translation and commentary of selected passages of book 9 of the Iliad and of the major Homeric hymn to Demeter. A metrical reading and a translation of the texts will be provided along with an explanation of the narrative technique of Homer, of epic and hymnic poetry, of formulaic composition, of the importance of myth in archaic poetry, on the variants of the myth of Meleager, on the early evidence and the iconography of the myth of the hunt of the Calydonian boar, on the cult of Demeter and the Eleusinian mysteries.
Students attending this class can also benefit from the class of 'Storia della lingua greca' (prof. Tribulato) which will focus on the main characteristics of Homeric language and on the influence exerted on it by the Ionic and Aeolic dialects.

Students will acquire the primary competence and familiarity with Greek poetic texts through the tools of a grammatical, mythological and literary analysis of a seminal text (Homer's Iliad) placed at the very roots of Western Literature and civilization, and beyond. The skills acquired with a detailed analysis of the various aspects and facets of such a pivotal text (and of a subgenre represented by the Homeric hymn to Demeter) will also enable students to tackle whatever text they will come across in the future . This implies contextualizing a text in the society and modes of communication where it originated, as well as deciphering the many implications that such a sophisticated and ancient text is still able to convey in the present age.

A sound competence in Greek language and grammar is preliminary to the class, and familiarity with the reading of hexameter is most welcome. However, students are given the opportunity to become familiar with the rules and reading of epic poetry in the course of the year, by attending a parallel class on Greek metre (see also the 'Esercitazioni di letteratura greca' taught by prof. Camerotto).

The literary and mythological approach of this class can be supplemented and expanded by the students through attendance of the class 'Storia della lingua greca' taught by prof. Olga Tribulato. For what regards the metrical reading of epic poetry students will also benefit from the class of prof. A. Camerotto, 'Esercitazioni di letteratura greca'.

NOTA BENE. Unless otherwise indicated, the bibliography collected here is not mandatory: it is only meant to help students in preparing their exam and for a better understanding of the many problems related to Homeric poetry.

Texts to be read in Greek:

a) 1. Homer, Iliad 9.
2. Homeric hymn to Demeter.

b) 


Thucydides, book I, chapts1-25;

Greek texts with translation. Students are advised to buy befire the class begins one the volumes of Iliad 9 and the Homeric hymn to Demeter.
For the Iliad: the translations by G. Cerri, Rizzoli 1998 (ristampato), and R. Calzecchi Onesti, Einaudi.
For the Homeric hymn to Demeter: Inni omerici a cura di F. Cassola, Milano, Mondadori-Fondazione Lorenzo Valla 1975 (ristampato); Inni omerici, a cura di G. Zanetto, BUR 1996 (reprinted); Inni omerici, a cura di Silvia Poli ; introduzione di Franco Ferrari, UTET 2010.

For Thucydides the translations (with Greek text) by L. Canfora (Laterza / Einaudi), F. Donini (UTET/TEA), P. Rosa (Rusconi Libri 2016) are particularly recommended.

SUGGESTED READINGS to help students improve their understanding of the texts and of epic poetry in general.
Commentaries.
For Iliad 9: The Iliad: A Commentary: Volume 3, Books 9-12, ed. by B.J. Hainsworth, Cambridge 1993; Homer: Iliad Book 9, ed. by J. Griffin, Oxford University Press 1995.

For the Homeric hymn to Demeter the above quoted translations by F. Cassola, G. Zanetto, and S. Poli also provide an introduction with notes or a comment; see also the detailed commentary by N. J. Richardson, The Homeric Hymn to Demeter, Oxford 1974.
For the language of epic poetry see E. Passa, 'L’epica', in A. C. Cassio (a cura di), Storia delle lingue letterarie greche, Le Monnier 20162, 139-86; for an introduction to Greek metre see M.C. Martinelli, Gli strumenti del poeta. Elementi di metrica greca, Cappelli 1995.
 Students are required become familiar with history of Greek literature referring to the archaic and classical age; the following textbooks are recommended: D. Del Corno, Letteratura greca (Principato); G. Guidorizzi, Letteratura greca (Mondadori Universita'); A. Porro, W. Lapini, Letteratura greca, Loescher / Il Mulino 2012-2017; L.E. Rossi, Letteratura greca (Le Monnier); Other text-books can be agreed upon previously with the faculty.

Students are also required to read chapt. III of F. Graf, Il mito in Grecia, Bari 1987 (Laterza); they will also profit from chapters VIII, IX, XI of F. Montanari, Introduzione a Omero, Edizioni di Storia e Letteratura 2013.

The oral exam consists of the metrical reading, translation and commentary of some passages of the two epic texts, of a series of questions verging on the origins and characteristics of epic poetry, on the structure of the Iliad, on the various heroes and related themes. The translation of a passage by Thucydides will then follow, along with a few more questions on grammar and language. The last questions will concern the history of Greek literature, with two questions on authors from the archaic and classical period.
Students are also required to read metrically and translate (with grammatical competence on the main issues) passages which are not dealt with in class.

Traditional teacher-led classes, contemplating the possibility of a more seminar oriented approach in a final session of the class, with the aim of discussing the themes selected by the students at the beginning of the class. Students may choose to give a short paper focusing on religious and anthropological issues (the comepetence and powers of Zeus, Hades, Demeter in the Homeric hymn), on the myth of Meleager and its variants, on textual or literary (in Iliad 9: e.g. Achilles and Patroclus, Phoenix, Agamemnon's purported presents to Achilles) problems of the two epic texts dealt with, or on the reception and elaboration of the myth in later periods down to the present century.

Italian

Along with this class students are invited to participate in the Venice seminars di Scienze dell'Antichità, which are articulated in a number of initiatives in the span of the academic year. Participation in 5 seminars together with the writing of a short essay is rated 1CFU (credits).

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