GREEK LITERATURE

The class will consist of a reading, translation and commentary of selected passages of book 22 of Homer's Iliad. 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 myth and cult of Achilles, on the representation of Hector, on the sanctuaries and cult of Apollo in archaic Greece, on the iconography of Apollo, Achilles, and Hector.

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 at the crossroad between epic and modern novel. 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 Apollo) 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 and knowledge of its basic norms is most welcome. However, students are given the opportunity to become familiar with the rules and practice their reading of epic poetry in the course of the year, by attending a parallel class on Greek metre.

The literary, linguistic, and mythological approach of this class will be supplemented and expanded by the study of the many mythological and thematic clusters (such as the duel between Hector and Achilles, the intervention of the gods, the representation of dreams in archaic poetry), along with the literary, religious, anthropological themes found in Iliad 22 and the Homeric hymn to Apollo (the cult and celebrations dedicated to the god; Patroclus and Achilles, the wrath of Achilles, his fate in the structure of the Trojan epics).

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 22.
2. Homeric hymn to Apollo.
b) 


Thucydides, book I, chapts. 1-25;

Greek texts with translation. Students are advised to buy one the following volumes of the Iliad before the class begins.
For the Iliad: the translations by G. Cerri, Rizzoli 1998 (reprinted), by Rosa Calzecchi Onesti, Einaudi/Mondadori, by F. Ferrari, Oscar Mondadori 2018.
For the Homeric hymn to Apollo: Inni omerici a cura di F. Cassola, Milano, Mondadori-Fondazione Lorenzo Valla 1975 (ristampato); Inni omerici, a cura di G. Zanetto, BUR 1996

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 22: A Commentary: Volume 6, Books 21-24, ed. by N. Richardson, Cambridge 1993; Homer: Iliad Book XXII, ed. by I. J. F. de Jong, Cambridge 2012.
For the Homeric hymn to Apollo: N. Richardson, Three Homeric Hymns to Apollo, Hermes, and Aphrodite, Cambridge 2010; The Homeric Hymns, ed. by T. W. Allen, W. R. Halliday, E. E. Sikes, Oxford 1936 (2nd ed.).

For the dialect and diction of epic poetry see E. Passa, 'L’epica', in A. C. Cassio (a cura di), Storia delle lingue letterarie greche, Le Monnier 2016, 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, on the Homeric hymns. 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 literary, mythological, religious and anthropological issues (the duel between Hector and Achilles, dreams in early Greek poetry, the motif of the suppliant mother, the cults of Apollo the wrath of Achilles, the fate of Achilles in the Trojan epics), or on the reception and elaboration in later periods down to the present century of the myths and themes dealt with in Iliad 22 and in the Homeric hymn to Apollo.

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).

oral