BYZANTINE HISTORY AND LITERATURE

The course "Latin and Greek Middle Ages" was designed to provide students enrolled in the Master's programs in "Storia dal Medioevo all'età Contemporanea", "Storia delle Arti e Conservazione dei Beni Artistici" e "Scienze dell'Antichità: Letterature, Storia e Archeologia" with a comprehensive understanding of the medieval period. It aims to challenge the outdated notion that classical Greco-Latin culture ceased to exist during this era and corrects the erroneous reconstruction of an exclusively Western Middle Ages.
Throughout the Middle Ages, Eastern and Western Europe followed divergent paths of development, with the Latin-speaking and Greek-speaking worlds appearing to be mutually estranged and hostile. However, recent research in the field of the division between the Greek East and the Latin West, as well as the religious polemics between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, has revealed a more complex and nuanced reality of the interaction between the two worlds and cultures.
Through the presentation of the most innovative research trends, the analysis of case studies, and interdisciplinary group work, this course offers students the opportunity to understand the fundamental role of classical and ancient roots in shaping medieval Greek and Latin culture. It also explores how the division between the Latin Church and the Greek Church was one of the main factors contributing to the rift between the two cultures, heirs of the classical world, and how the Renaissance intellectual world attempted to overcome this opposition through a return to the study of classics in the West.
The course is divided into two parallel paths: one for students who do not know Greek and one for students who have studied Greek in high school and/or are enrolled in the Master's program in "Ancient Sciences: Literature, History, and Archaeology."

1. **Understanding of Medieval Cultural Continuity:** Students will gain an understanding of the continuity of classical Greco-Latin culture throughout the medieval period, challenging the notion of its demise and recognizing its influence on medieval society.
2. **Critical Analysis of Medieval Interactions:** Through the study of recent research trends, students will critically analyze the interactions between Eastern and Western Europe during the Middle Ages, particularly focusing on the relationships between the Latin-speaking and Greek-speaking worlds.
3. **Recognition of Complex Historical Realities:** Students will recognize the complexity of historical realities surrounding the division between the Greek East and the Latin West, including religious polemics between Catholicism and Orthodoxy.
4. **Exploration of Cultural Evolution:** By exploring case studies and interdisciplinary group work, students will explore the cultural evolution of medieval Greek and Latin societies, understanding how classical and ancient roots shaped their development.
5. **Understanding of Religious Dynamics:** Students will understand the role of the division between the Latin Church and the Greek Church in shaping the cultural and religious dynamics of medieval Europe.
6. **Appreciation of Renaissance Intellectual Movements:** Through examination of Renaissance intellectual movements, students will appreciate efforts to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western cultures through a revival of classical studies in the West.
These learning outcomes aim to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and nuances of the medieval period, particularly focusing on the interactions between different cultures and the continuity of classical influences.

It is desirable for students to have a basic knowledge of classical Latin and Greek history and culture, as well as a basic understanding of medieval history.

The course "Latin and Greek Middle Ages" covers a wide range of topics aimed at providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the medieval period.
1. **Historical Context of the Medieval Period:** Introduction to the political, social, and cultural landscape of medieval Europe, highlighting the divergent paths of development taken by Eastern and Western Europe.
2. **Challenges to the Traditional View of Greco-Latin Culture:** Exploration of recent research challenging the outdated notion that classical Greco-Latin culture ceased to exist during the Middle Ages, emphasizing the continuity and influence of classical roots.
3. **Interactions between Eastern and Western Europe:** Analysis of the interactions between the Latin-speaking and Greek-speaking worlds during the medieval period, including discussions on perceived estrangement and hostility.
4. **Religious Polemics and Division:** Examination of the religious polemics between Catholicism and Orthodoxy, exploring how these tensions contributed to the division between the Latin Church and the Greek Church.
5. **Role of Classical and Ancient Roots:** Understanding the fundamental role of classical and ancient roots in shaping medieval Greek and Latin culture, through case studies and analysis of primary sources.
6. **Renaissance Intellectual Movements:** Exploration of how Renaissance intellectuals sought to bridge the gap between Eastern and Western cultures through a revival of classical studies in the West.
7. **Dual Paths for Students:** Tailored paths for students unfamiliar with Greek and those who have studied Greek in high school or are enrolled in specific Master's programs, ensuring accessibility and relevance for all participants.
Overall, the course aims to provide students with a nuanced understanding of the medieval period, challenging traditional narratives and highlighting the complex interactions between different cultures and intellectual movements. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, and group work, students will develop critical thinking skills and gain insight into the enduring legacy of classical culture in the medieval world.

Stathakopoulos, D., A Short History of the Byzantine Empire (London, 2014)
Chadwick, Henry. East and West: The Making of a Rift in the Church: From Apostolic Times until the Council of Florence. Oxford, 2003.
Tanzini, Lorenzo, and Francesco Paolo Tocco, eds. Un Medioevo Mediterraneo: Mille Anni Tra Oriente e Occidente. 1a edizione. Frecce 299. Roma: Carocci editore, 2020.
Demacopoulos, George E., and Aristotle Papanikolaou. Orthodox Constructions of the West. Oxford: Fordham University Press, 2013.

In Moodle, a selection of primary sources and scientific articles will be provided for analysis and discussion in class.

The exam will be conducted orally. Questions will cover both the general introductory part and the reading, interpretation, and translation of texts discussed in class (translation from Greek/Latin is mandatory only for students enrolled in the Master's program in "Scienze dell'Antichità: Letterature, Storia e Archeologia").
Final grade: 70% oral exam, 30% presentation of group work.

The course includes lectures, seminars, guided readings, discussions of primary sources, and secondary literature materials, such as scientific articles and monographs. Students will be encouraged to actively participate in discussions and develop critical analysis skills through the examination of scientific articles and the presentation of research papers.
Students will work in groups on a small research project.

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