Learning objectives
Students will acquire detailed knowledge of the historical/literary panorama of the late Latin period.
Prerequisites
Students must have obtained 10 learning credits in the scientific subject area of Latin Language and Literature.
Course unit content
<p>Course title: The Epistle in Late Antiquity <br />
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The course sets out to examine examples of the epistolary genre in Late Antiquity, as an instrument of communication and literary product, both in a pagan and Christian context. It will specifically consider epistles characterised by literary subject matter, to show how the epistolary genre became an instrument for the dissemination of literary theories. <br />
Recommended readings and texts will be provided over the course of the lectures. <br />
General part: Latin literature from the third to the sixth century AD. The module must be supplemented by chapters VI, VIII and IX of the Propedeutica al latino universitario, and independent readings: Rutilio Namaziano, de reditu suo; Simmaco, relatio III; Ambrogio, epist. 17-18. <br />
Students will be required to study Latin literature of the Late Antiquity period and prepare (read and translate) Latin texts of the period. <br />
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Bibliography
One of the following recommended texts: <br />
A. CAVARZERE, A. DE VIVO, P. MASTANDREA, Letteratura latina, Roma 2003. <br />
G.B. CONTE, Letteratura latina, Firenze 2002 (rist 2004). <br />
F. CUPAIUOLO, Storia della letteratura latina: forme letterarie, autori e società, Napoli 1994. <br />
P. FEDELI, Il sapere letterario: autori, testi e contesti della cultura romana, Napoli 2003. <br />
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Supplementary reading: <br />
G. POLARA, Letteratura latina tardoantica e altomedievale, Roma 1987, chap. I. <br />
J. FONTAINE, Letteratura tardoantica. Figure e percorsi, Brescia 20042, chapters I-VII. <br />
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Rutilio Namaziano, De reditu suo, a cura di A. FO, Torino 1992. <br />
La maschera della tolleranza, Ambrogio, epist. 17-18; Simmaco, terza relazione. Intr. di I. DIONIGI, trad. di A. TRAINA, Milano BUR 2006. <br />
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Teaching methods
Classroom lectures and exercises plus weekly tutorials. <br />
The exam consists of an oral exam on various topics covered in the course syllabus. <br />
