Learning objectives
The aim of the spcialized course is to improve competence in the discipline of Papyrology (advancing skills in reading papyrus texts and using the bibliographic instruments to deepen a correct understanding of interdisciplinary aspects offered by the sources). Introduction to a proper and responsible method of reading, interpretation and study of literary and documentary texts found on papyri.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites are competence in both basic philological skills and in a historical or cultural area such as Greek Literature, Greek History, Roman History, and Classical Archaeology, for which the sources that are to be studied may be applied.
Course unit content
Title: Sources and methodologies for the use of the known and unknown texts in a philological context. The history of the text tradition.
Course (6 CFU): Guidelines for the philological edition of known text and of adespota. The value of these texts for the history of classical scholarship. The electronic edition of fragmentary papyri. Critical study of recent editions and their contribution to the classic tradition. Different genres of literary texts.
Full programme
The Philologist at Work. A methodological approach. The block course will deal with the literary fragments which attest to the life and culture, history and administration over the Hellenistic and Roman periods. Palaeographical examination, reading and interpretation of a selection of papyri together with more thorough investigation and exercise with the evidence supplied by literary texts (reading will include reproductions of the originals as well as translations).
Bibliography
Select Bibliography:
E.G. Turner, Papiri greci, ed. italiana a c. di M. Manfredi, Roma: Carocci, 2002
Introduzione alla filologia greca, cur. di H.G. Nesselrath-S. Fornaro, Salerno 2004
L.D. Reynolds-N.G. Wilson, Copisti e filologi. La tradizione dei classici dall'Antichità al Rinascimento, con una premessa di G. Billanovich, Roma-Padova: Antenore, 1987³
G. Cavallo, La scrittura greca e latina dei papiri. Una introduzione, Roma: Fabrizio Serra Editore, 2008
H.C. Youtie, The Textual Criticism of Documentary Papyri: Prolegomena, 2nd ed., BICS Suppl. 33, 1974
Th.C. Skeat, La produzione libraria cristiana delle origini: papiri e manoscritti, Firenze 1976 (fotocopie)
C. Gallazzi, La ricerca archeologica a Umm el-Breigât, in Maria Casini (ed.), Cento anni in Egitto. Percorsi dell’archeologia italiana, Milano: Electa, 2001, pp. 171-83
A.E. Hanson, Papyrology: A Discipline in Flux (in G.W. Most, Ed., Disciplining Classics – Altertumswissenschaft als Beruf, Göttingen 2002 = Aporemata 6), pp. 191-206
The Oxford Handbook of Papyrology, Roger S. Bagnall, ed., Oxford 2009
P. Maas, Critica del testo (trad. it. di Nello Martinelli), Bibliotechina del Saggiatore, Le Monnier 1975
Teaching methods
Education is imparted in a series of lessons, seminars or meetings. Ppt projections and seminar materials prepared for each session prior to attending class.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination. Written paper. Important is also the attendance to the lessons and seminars.
The exam is passed when the candidate is able to introduce the content of most of the texts presented during the course and to show his ability in reading the secondary literature.
Other information
A written paper concerning a pattern of a text edition will be required at the end of the course. A specialized Seminar will deal with the transcription and study of unpublished texts. A training in the use of bibliographic instruments to deepen a correct understanding of interdisciplinary aspects offered by the sources is also included.
