GREEK LITERATURE

The class is one of the characterizing activities of both the paths of the master's degree program:
LITERATURE, HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY - PHILOLOGY, LITERATURE AND HISTORY OF ANTIQUITY.
It proposes a study of linguistic structures and themes will afford a clearer view of the Epic as a whole, and will discuss the problems and perspectives on Epic genre in ancient World from the oral tradition (Archaic Age) to Quintus Smyrnaeus and Triphiodorus (Imperial Age). With insights into other genres and specific iconographic works in relation to the topic.

For Archaeology students, it is possible to borrow and attend the course of GREEK LITERATURE SP. as the first module of [FM0673-2] CLASSICAL LITERATURES. Here are the specific instructions:
The course of CLASSICAL LITERATURES is included among the Characterizing teachings of both paths of the Archaeology curriculum of the Master's Degree in Ancient Sciences: literature, history and archaeology.
The course, divided into two modules (Module 1: Greek literature, Module 2: Latin literature), aims to provide students, regardless of their educational background and linguistic skills, with an advanced level approach to the authors and texts of Greek and Latin literature according to a perspective specifically oriented to the needs and peculiarities of archaeological training.
Since the course in CLASSICAL LITERATURE for archaeologists does not require or provide linguistic skills in Greek and Latin and deals with classical texts with the aid of translation (albeit duly accompanied by the original text "on the facing page"), the exam is not included among those useful for the qualification to teach in schools, and the 12 CFU provided, although attributed to the s.s.d. HELL-01/B (formerly L-FIL-LET/02), cannot be used for this purpose.

TROY IS BURNING. ILIOUPERSIS. THE FALL OF TROY
EPIC TRADITION FROM HOMER TO TRIPHIODORUS
DRAMATURGY OF WAR

1. Historical-literary competence. General knowledge of the problems and developments of the Greek literature of the Imperial Age.
2. Metrical competence: knowledge of the diachronic developments of the genre of the Greek epic and of the exameter from the oral tradition to the Hellenistic and imperial literature.
3. Ability to analyze and read the rhythmic structures of the verses, with an evaluation of the differences of the hexameter in a diachronic perspective.
Students will acquire an independent scientific ability to apply theoretical metrical knowledge to different poetic and literary genres.
4. Knowledge of the specific characteristics of oral epic diction and ability to apply theoretical skills to literary developments of the Hellenistic and Imperial Age.
5. Interpretation of the compositional and stylistic functions of the hexameter from oral to literature.
6. Thematic competence: ability to identify, analyze and describe with scientific autonomy the thematic and compositional elements of Iliou Persis in the epic genre and in other genres (tragedy, epigram, etc.)
Methods of analysis and literary theories can be concretely applied to other texts of Greek literature, but also more extensively than the European literary tradition.
7. Iconographic competence: themes and motifs of the representation through images of the theme of the Ilioupersis.

Supplement for archaeologists attending the course as module I of [FM0673-2] CLASSICAL LITERATURES
The expected outcomes for this training activity are: detailed knowledge of works and texts of the Greek and Latin literary tradition (combined in Italian translation) and of their historical and interpretative issues and the ability to make it interact both with any previously acquired classical literary culture bases and with the general framework of knowledge (of a historical, methodological and technical nature) that pertain to the specificity of master's level archaeological training; the ability to read and comment on the texts studied on a historical, historical-literary and cultural level (both those covered during the course and those approached as personal reading) and to argue autonomously about them in the light of the proposed interpretations and the bibliography indicated in support of the course or (in the case of personal readings) specifically suggested by the teachers.

It is required the knowledge of the hexameter. The students in the class must know the main problems of the Homeric question and Oral Composition. Students who do not have adequate knowledge of the Greek meter can usefully attend the first half of the workshop online: EXERCISES OF GREEK LITERATURE (METRICS).

Supplement for archaeologists attending the course as module I of [FM0673-2] CLASSICAL LITERATURE
Although a knowledge of Greek and Latin language and literature remains recommended, it does not constitute a precondition for access to the exam and its absence does not affect the possibility of fully understanding the topics of the course, the commented reading of the texts and the bibliography. Students are left with the responsibility of filling any gaps in historical-literary knowledge by following the bibliographical indications provided for this purpose.

ILIOUPERSIS. THE FALL OF TROY
The aim of the lectures is the linguistic analysis and the interpretation of Epic texts across the development of the genre in the Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Imperial Ages. The class concerns textual problems, transformations of the Greek Myths, linguistic and compositive frames and patterns. A special attention shall be dedicated to the epic themes of the War and particularly to the Fall of Troy.
General knowledges: elements of the Homeric Language, History of Epic Language.
Greek texts:
a) Homerus Iliad, Odyssey: an anthology on the Ilioupersis
b) Hom. Iliad 22
c) Epic Cycle
d) Quintus Smyrnaeus, Posthomerica (books 12, 13)
e) Triphiodorus, Iliou Halosis
f) Euripides, Trojan Women (an anthology)
g) Apollodorus, The Library (Epitome 5)

Supplement for archaeologists attending the course as module I of [FM0673-2] CLASSICAL LITERATURE
Homer, Iliad 18;
Hesiod, The shield of Heracles;
Aeschylus, Agamemnon
Pausanias 10.25-27
Virgil, Aeneis 2

Authors:
EURIPIDES, Troades, ed. by D. Kovacs, Oxford
QUINTE DE SMYRNE, La suite d'Homère, vol. III, texte établi & trad. par F. Vian, Paris, 1969
QUINTO DI SMIRNE, Il seguito dell'Iliade, a c. di E. Lelli, Bompiani, Milano 2013
TRIPHIODORE, La Prise d'Ilion, texte établi & trad. par B. Gerlaud, Paris 1982 (transl. D. Fermi, Quel che Omero non disse. Il ratto di Elena di Colluto. La presa di Ilio di Trifiodoro, Roma 2023)

For the other Authors it is required a common critical edition (OCT, Loeb, Les Belles Lettres, Teubner, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla).

Outline of Greek Literature: A. RODIGHIERO, Civiltà letteraria della Grecia antica, Zanichelli, 2025 (Letteratura greca ellenistica, Letteratura greca Imperiale e tardo-antica).
For metrics, TEACHING SHEETS and ONLINE METRICS LESSONS are available. For further information see M.C. Martinelli, Gli strumenti del poeta. Elementi di metrica greca, Cappelli, Bologna 1995.

Bibliography on Texts and Authors:
A. CAMEROTTO, Fare gli eroi. Le storie, le imprese, le virtù: composizione e racconto nell’epica greca arcaica, Padova 2009 (Cap. 3 Epiteti eroici, pp. 83-140)
A. CAMEROTTO, Troia brucia. Come e perché raccontare l'Ilioupersis, MIMESIS, Milano-Udine 2022, pp. 1-280 (Lettura integrale)

V. ANDÒ, Un bambino buttato giù dalle torri. La morte di Astianatte nelle Troiane di Euripide, Annali Online di Ferrara - Lettere 1, 2009, 255-269 [PDF]
K. BARBARESCO, La terra e il sangue (secondo Quinto Smirneo), Lexis 37, 2019, 323-339 [PDF]
M. CADARIO, Il cavallo di Troia aveva le ruote? Riflessioni su tradizione letteraria e iconografia, in A. Capra, S. Martinelli Tempesta, C. Nobili (edd.), Philoxenia. Viaggi e viaggiatori nella Grecia di ieri e di oggi, Milano-Udine 2020, 223-236 [PDF]
M. CANTILENA, Cronologia e tecnica compositiva dei Posthomerica di Quinto Smirneo, in F. Montanari, S. Pittaluga (edd.), Posthomerica. Tradizioni omeriche dall'Antichità al Rinascimento, vol. 3, Genova 2001, 51-70 [PDF]
A.W. JAMES, Quintus of Smyrna, in A Companion to Ancient Epic, ed. by J.M. Foley, Oxford 2005, 364-373 [PDF]


Supplement for archaeologists attending the course as module I of [FM0673-2] CLASSICAL LITERATURE
M.J. Anderson, The Fall of Troy in Early Greek Poetry and Art, Oxford 1997.
S. Chiarini, L’ archeologia dello Scutum Herculis, Roma 2012.

The exam takes place in oral form, with an accurate check on the Greek texts in the original language. Reading, translation and commentary of the Greek texts. Knowledge and reading of main meters of the poetic texts (hexameter, iambic). Theory of literature and essays in the program in relation to the specific themes of the course. History of Greek literature (Hellenistic Age, Imperial Age).

Supplement for archaeologists attending the course as module I of [FM0673-2] CLASSICAL LITERATURE
The same principles apply, with the exclusion of the language and metrics for students who do not have knowledge of it, and with the addition of all the texts, studies and iconographic materials indicated for the Archaeologist

oral

The evaluation, from 0 to 30/30 cum Laude corresponds to the solidity of the preparation based on the following criteria:
1. linguistic knowledge of the texts.
2. metrical reading of poetic texts (hexameter, trimeter, etc.) and ability to analyze and explain the rhythmic-semantic structures.
3. knowledge and scientific discussion of the texts in the program.
4. knowledge and scientific discussion of the course topics.
5. notions of literary history.
6. knowledge and discussion of the studies in the program.
7. iconographic competence and knowledge.

NB. For archaeology students who do not know Greek, the same criteria apply with the exception of the original language and metrics.

For a reflection on the meanings of the course skills and knowledge see M. BETTINI, A che cosa servono i Greci e i Romani?, Torino 2017, A. CAMEROTTO, Heracles and the Monkey. Paideia and Money in Lucian of Samosata, Mnemosyne 75, 2022, 113-144.

The teaching of the course is directly related to the research methods and the students are personally engaged in a relationship of participation in the scientific discussion and the study of texts. In addition to lectures, seminars are provided for teaching with a direct commitment of the students. Therefore, regular attendance is recommended for the particular characteristics of the course. For those who can not attend, the methods for reading and analyzing the texts can be discussed personally with the teacher.

SEMINAR-WORKSHOP OF GREEK LITERATURE
In connection with the course of Greek Literature is held a seminar-workshop on the lessons themes.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development