ANALYSIS OF LATIN TEXTS

The course of LATIN TEXTS ANALYSIS SP. (one unit of 6 CFU or, as a part of PHILOLOGY AND LATIN TEXTS ANALYSIS, 12 CFU) falls within the "Core educational activities" of the study plan of the Master's Degree Programmes in Ancient Civilisations: Literature, History and Archaeology and in Italian Philology, Linguistics and Literature. It aims to refine the student's knowledge of language and style, authors, genres and works of Latin literature and of their critical problems, and contributes to enrich the knowledge of western cultural history and literary traditions, of methods and tools of literary history and philology and of their specialized languages.

The outcome of this course would be the detailed knowledge of a work or of a selection of Latin literary texts in the original language, and of their historical and interpretative problems in the framework of the contemporary scientific debate. Students should be able to read, understand, translate into Italian and comment on the historical-literary and stylistic plan the texts read during the course, to discuss the interpretation proposed by the teacher and the bibliography, to contextualize authors and works studied during the course in the cultural and literary tradition of classical antiquity. Students should then be able to repeat the same type of analysis, applying the methods learned during the course, on a further sample of texts assigned as personal readings.
Already equipped with linguistic skills at at least intermediate level, students should also acquire through the course a greater familiarity with the Latin literary language, a broader set of linguistic knowledge and a more confident ability in translation from Latin into Italian; at the same time, the study of the bibliography should refine the students' knowledge of the concepts and critical vocabulary of philology and literary history, and their ability to discuss literary topics and texts.

The Analisi dei testi latini examination requires at least an intermediate level of Latin language competence.
All students intending to take the examination, regardless of their previous academic background, must certify their linguistic proficiency through the following procedures:

1) Students enrolled in a Master's degree at Ca' Foscari from the 2025–2026 academic year onwards
For these students, access to the examination is conditional on passing the TEST associated with the Metrica e traduzione course (https://www.unive.it/data/insegnamento/582675 ).
As part of all advanced Latin examinations at Ca' Foscari, this preliminary test is designed to assess the minimum linguistic competence required for advanced Latin studies. The test result (on a 30-point scale) will contribute to the final assessment of the Master's degree examinations, as specified in each course syllabus.

2) Students enrolled in a Master's degree at Ca' Foscari up to the 2024–2025 academic year
For these students, certification of intermediate-level Latin competence remains compulsory and must be obtained by passing the Test di latino 2, which is linked to the Laboratorio di latino 2.
NB: for students enrolled up to the 2024–2025 academic year, the final test session under the previous arrangements will take place in January 2026. After this date, all students wishing to take the exam must follow the procedures outlined on this page.

NB: Course attendance is possible also for students who have not yet taken the test.

The test can be taken on multiple dates throughout the academic year (further information available at this https://www.unive.it/data/insegnamento/582675 ). However, it is strongly recommended that students take the test in the earliest available session in September, before the start of the didactic period.
Students who do not pass the test will have the opportunity to attend the Metrica e traduzione course (https://www.unive.it/data/insegnamento/582675 ), which replaces the previous Laboratorio di latino 2. This course is designed to support the enhancement of students' language skills and is scheduled for the first semester.

​The course "Analysis of Latin Texts" focuses on three pivotal female figures in Latin literature: Ariadne, Dido, and Arachne. It examines their roles in:​
- Catullus' Carmen 64, highlighting Ariadne's monologue following her abandonment by Theseus;​
- Book IV of Virgil's Aeneid, detailing the poignant exchanges between Dido and Aeneas leading to her tragic demise;​
- The opening of Book VI of Ovid's Metamorphoses, depicting the weaving contest between Arachne and Minerva.​

These works are analyzed to understand how each poet's expressive choices reflect their contemporary socio-political and cultural contexts.​
This course is part of the educational pathway "Word and Power Between History and Literature", which includes the master's courses in:​
- Roman Historiography (Francesca Rohr)​
- Analysis of Latin Texts (Martina Venuti)​
- Advanced Rhetoric (Alessio Cotugno)​
This integrated program offers students a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted relationship between language and power from various but interconnected perspectives. It emphasizes the persuasive power of political discourse, the literary and poetic forms that convey messages, and the ancient linguistic reflections that have shaped literary production and public communication.​
Students may opt to take individual courses independently, each incorporating three joint lectures on shared themes. Those pursuing the integrated pathway are required to select at least two of the participating courses and undertake in-depth studies of specific topics or texts in consultation with the instructors. Participants will present their findings during a concluding session, introduced by a guest lecture and open to all students and faculty of the Department of Humanities.

- Selection of Latin readings: an anthology in PDF format will be provided via Moodle during the course. It will include selected passages from Catullus 64, Virgil's Aeneid Book IV, Ovid's Metamorphoses Book VI, and other Latin authors discussed in class. This anthology will be updated progressively throughout the lessons.​
- Three essays related to the themes addressed in the course, chosen from a list provided by the teacher. These essays may be in Italian or other languages.​
- Personal readings in original language (Latin):
- Cicero, "Pro Archia": it is recommended to use the edition edited by E. Narducci, published by BUR in 2018.​
- Virgil, "Aeneid": one book of student's choice, excluding Books IV and VI. The edition edited by A. Fo, published by Einaudi in 2012, is recommended and available at the BAUM library under the call number 873.01 VERGP AEN.

Learning is tested by means of an oral interview of an individual nature during which the student must show that he/she
- be able to read, understand, translate into Italian, contextualize and comment on the historical-literary level TWO passages proposed by the lecturer from the selection of Latin texts covered during the course;
- be able to read, understand, translate into Italian, contextualize and comment on the historical-literary level TWO passages proposed by the lecturer from the texts indicated as personal readings in the original language (not translated by the lecturer during the course);
- know how to argue with independent judgment and language property on the accompanying bibliography within a discussion with the lecturer;
- know how to use this bibliography as an aid in the interpretation of texts and their evaluation on a historical-literary level.
For those interested, it is possible to propose a personal PAPER on a topic agreed upon with the course instructor or the teachers of the shared track.
The final grade will result from the evaluation of the aspects listed above according to these criteria:
- ability to translate from Latin the required passages to at least a sufficient level (a prerequisite for continuing the test)
- oral interview
- personal paper, with exposition (about 10 folders)
Notwithstanding the requirement for translation ability, the content and exposition of the personal paper, for those who choose to do so, will contribute 50% to the determination of the final grade. The 50% will be determined by the translation and oral interview.

oral

- If the Analisi dei testi latini SP exam is the student's first master's-level Latin exam: The final grade will consider the result of the master's-level Latin test, graded on a 30-point scale, which must be passed prior to the exam session. ​
- Sufficient (18–22/30): The student can identify the morphological and syntactic structure of the text, albeit with some assistance from the instructor, and convey its overall meaning. They can read the critical apparatus with minimal commentary.​
- Good (23–26/30): The student independently identifies the morphological and syntactic structure of the text and provides a generally accurate translation. They can read the critical apparatus and offer appropriate commentary on editorial choices.​
- Excellent (27–30/30): The student autonomously discerns the morphological and syntactic structure of the text and delivers an accurate translation, accompanied by a comprehensive and informed commentary on the editorial decisions in relation to the literary characteristics of the text.​
- Outstanding (30/30 cum laude): The student independently identifies the morphological and syntactic structure of the text and provides an accurate translation, enriched with a thorough commentary and personal insights that consider the editor's choices and the literary features of the text.​

Traditional course based on the reading, translation, linguistic, stylistic and historical-literary commentary of the selection of texts covered by the course; on the illustration of related critical issues; on the presentation of the main and most up-to-date tools of analysis. The Moodle platform (with its various extensions) will be the preferred support for teaching materials. Opportunities to meet and share with external scholars and with colleagues participating in the shared learning path will be provided wherever possible.
Provided with the data for discussion, students will be involved in the debate on the main themes of the proposed critical issues and Latin texts, and invited to propose and argue their own opinions on them.

For further information, see https://www.unive.it/pag/26427/ .