Latin Literature
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims at: a) improving language skills of students, in agreement with level A2 of the Linguistic Certification of Latin (http://www.cusl.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sillabo-.pdf); b) leading students to the comprehension of Latin texts read in the original language, through the analysis of significant passages of prose and verse; c) transmitting tools and methods for a deep exegesis of Latin texts aiming to highlight their cultural complexity; d) providing a short picture of the history of Latin literature; e) highlighting challenging correspondences between language, literature and the arts, from Antiquity to Contemporary Age .
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will have achieved: a) a proper knowledge of morphology and syntax of the Latin language, and of the fundamentals of prosody; b) the understanding of the passages read in class; c) the knowledge of contents and relation with the historical-social context; d) the full knowledge of the main features of Latin literary history; e) the awareness of the development of Latin literature with respect to the permanence of Latin classics in modernity.
Pursuing the study, the student will be able to face the original Latin texts, placing each of them in the historical and cultural context. The student will also be able to apply the acquired skills to improve his competence in Italian and evaluate the importance of the permanence of the Latin classics in a wider cultural context.
Pursuing the study, the student will be able to face the original Latin texts, placing each of them in the historical and cultural context. The student will also be able to apply the acquired skills to improve his competence in Italian and evaluate the importance of the permanence of the Latin classics in a wider cultural context.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
(A-D)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is composed of three parts. It is about "Theatre and spectacles in Ancient Rome"
The first part aims to build a vocabulary of Latin words and sentences, in order to enhance the development of linguistic and metalinguistic skills and increase the awareness of the permanence of Latin in the modern languages and cultures. It also aims to develop language activities and skills, in agreement with level A2 of Latin Language Certificates
The second part aims to improve an understanding of the texts in original language, through the analysis of sentences or short passages of Latin authors. Also this unit aims at developing language activities and skills, in agreement with level A2 of Latin Language Certificates.
The third part aims to offer an overview of Latin literature, with a focus on its sharpest turning points and their reception in the modern cultural heritage.
Not attending students are required to contact the teacher before the beginning of the course. However, please note that the syllabus for attending students applies also to non-attending ones.
The first part aims to build a vocabulary of Latin words and sentences, in order to enhance the development of linguistic and metalinguistic skills and increase the awareness of the permanence of Latin in the modern languages and cultures. It also aims to develop language activities and skills, in agreement with level A2 of Latin Language Certificates
The second part aims to improve an understanding of the texts in original language, through the analysis of sentences or short passages of Latin authors. Also this unit aims at developing language activities and skills, in agreement with level A2 of Latin Language Certificates.
The third part aims to offer an overview of Latin literature, with a focus on its sharpest turning points and their reception in the modern cultural heritage.
Not attending students are required to contact the teacher before the beginning of the course. However, please note that the syllabus for attending students applies also to non-attending ones.
Prerequisites for admission
It is required a language proficiency (vocabulary and grammar) corresponding to level A1 of Latin Language Certificates (http://www.cusl.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sillabo-.pdf).
N.B. The course is reserved for undergraduate students of Letteratura latina Beni culturali of Unimi. Not others students will be admitted.
N.B. The course is reserved for undergraduate students of Letteratura latina Beni culturali of Unimi. Not others students will be admitted.
Teaching methods
Frontal Teaching (lectures); interactive exercises with Moodle and similar didactic tools; Self- or in-class corrected written exam simulations.
Class attendance is strongly recommended.
Class attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Part 1: It is necessary to supplement the lecture content with the study of one of the following manuals:
G. Garbarino - L. Pasquariello - M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022.
G. B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Le Monnier, 2019.
P. Fedeli - E. Malaspina - L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, Utet Università, 2023.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Old Age Poetry (general survey); Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); comedy: Plautus and Terence.
Late Republican Age: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Cato the Censor, Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny the Elder
Neronian Age literature: Seneca Minor and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
Trajan's age literature: Juvenal, Pliny the younger
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
Early Christian literature: Minucius Felix and Tertullianus
Jerome Augustine and Ambrose
Ammianus Marcellinus Ausonius and Claudianus
An anthology of texts in translation present in the indicated textbook will be indicated at the beginning of the course.
Part 2: Materials and texts will be provided during the course. A high school grammar book is recommended.
Part 3: Materials and texts will be provided during the course.
G. Garbarino - L. Pasquariello - M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022.
G. B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Le Monnier, 2019.
P. Fedeli - E. Malaspina - L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, Utet Università, 2023.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Old Age Poetry (general survey); Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); comedy: Plautus and Terence.
Late Republican Age: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Cato the Censor, Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny the Elder
Neronian Age literature: Seneca Minor and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
Trajan's age literature: Juvenal, Pliny the younger
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
Early Christian literature: Minucius Felix and Tertullianus
Jerome Augustine and Ambrose
Ammianus Marcellinus Ausonius and Claudianus
An anthology of texts in translation present in the indicated textbook will be indicated at the beginning of the course.
Part 2: Materials and texts will be provided during the course. A high school grammar book is recommended.
Part 3: Materials and texts will be provided during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two parts: a written test assessing the lexical and linguistic skills acquired (Modules B-C), which must correspond to the A2 level of the Latin Language Certification, and an oral examination (Modules A-C). Passing the written test is a prerequisite for accessing the oral exam. The written test is divided into two sections: the first assesses lexical competence, while the second evaluates linguistic analysis skills. Detailed information will be provided at the beginning of the course. The written test is administered before the oral exam in every examination session. The oral exam consists of a discussion on the history of Latin literature (Module A) and aspects of Roman civilization (Module C). Students are expected to be familiar with the development of Latin literary history and its reception in modern cultural heritage, as covered in the course. The exam will assess the accuracy of students' exposition of literary issues and their ability to analyze texts discussed in class. Evaluation criteria include linguistic accuracy, clarity of argumentation, the ability to articulate acquired knowledge effectively, and the capacity to establish connections between different parts of the syllabus or related disciplines. The final grade (written test + oral exam) is expressed on a 30-point scale.
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Rossetti Matteo, Stucchi Silvia
(E-N)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is divided into three parts and focuses on the theme "Theater and Spectacle in Ancient Rome." The course aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Roman culture and institutions.
Module A - Literature (Prof. M. Rossetti)
This module provides a general framework of Latin literary history from its origins to the 4th century CE. The major literary genres will be explored through selected thematic analyses.
Module B - Language (Prof. M. Rossetti)
The second part of the course aims to enhance students' understanding of texts in the original Latin through the analysis of sentences or short passages from Latin authors. This module focuses on developing linguistic skills and competencies in alignment with the A2 level of the Latin Language Certification.
Module C - Lexicon and Civilization (Prof. S. Stucchi)
This module aims to build a vocabulary of Latin words and phrases to enhance linguistic and metalinguistic skills while increasing awareness of the lasting presence of Latin in modern languages and culture. Passages from Latin authors—both prose and poetry—centered on the themes of theater and spectacle will be read and analyzed from a lexical perspective. Like the previous module, this section also focuses on developing linguistic skills in accordance with the A2 level of the Latin Language Certification. Additionally, it provides further insights into the historical and literary topics covered in Module A.
Non-attending students must arrange their syllabus with the designated instructor. However, they are still required to follow the bibliographic guidelines provided to attending students.
Module A - Literature (Prof. M. Rossetti)
This module provides a general framework of Latin literary history from its origins to the 4th century CE. The major literary genres will be explored through selected thematic analyses.
Module B - Language (Prof. M. Rossetti)
The second part of the course aims to enhance students' understanding of texts in the original Latin through the analysis of sentences or short passages from Latin authors. This module focuses on developing linguistic skills and competencies in alignment with the A2 level of the Latin Language Certification.
Module C - Lexicon and Civilization (Prof. S. Stucchi)
This module aims to build a vocabulary of Latin words and phrases to enhance linguistic and metalinguistic skills while increasing awareness of the lasting presence of Latin in modern languages and culture. Passages from Latin authors—both prose and poetry—centered on the themes of theater and spectacle will be read and analyzed from a lexical perspective. Like the previous module, this section also focuses on developing linguistic skills in accordance with the A2 level of the Latin Language Certification. Additionally, it provides further insights into the historical and literary topics covered in Module A.
Non-attending students must arrange their syllabus with the designated instructor. However, they are still required to follow the bibliographic guidelines provided to attending students.
Prerequisites for admission
It is required a language proficiency (vocabulary and grammar) corresponding to level A1 of Latin Language Certificates (http://www.cusl.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sillabo-.pdf). N.B. the course is only open to Bachelor's Degree in Cultural Heritage (L - 1) students. Not others students will be admitted.
Teaching methods
Frontal Teaching (lectures); online interactive exercises; classroom exercises. Class attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Part 1: It is necessary to supplement the lecture content with the study of one of the following manuals:
G. Garbarino - L. Pasquariello - M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022.
G. B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Le Monnier, 2019.
P. Fedeli - E. Malaspina - L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, Utet Università, 2023.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Old Age Poetry (general survey); Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); comedy: Plautus and Terence.
Late Republican Age: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Cato the Censor, Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny the Elder
Neronian Age literature: Seneca Minor and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
Trajan's age literature: Juvenal, Pliny the younger
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
Early Christian literature: Minucius Felix and Tertullianus
Jerome Augustine and Ambrose
Ammianus Marcellinus Ausonius and Claudianus
An anthology of texts in translation present in the indicated textbook will be indicated at the beginning of the course.
Part 2: Materials and texts will be provided during the course. A high school grammar book is recommended.
Part 3: Materials and texts will be provided during the course.
G. Garbarino - L. Pasquariello - M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022.
G. B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Le Monnier, 2019.
P. Fedeli - E. Malaspina - L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, Utet Università, 2023.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Old Age Poetry (general survey); Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); comedy: Plautus and Terence.
Late Republican Age: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Cato the Censor, Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny the Elder
Neronian Age literature: Seneca Minor and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
Trajan's age literature: Juvenal, Pliny the younger
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
Early Christian literature: Minucius Felix and Tertullianus
Jerome Augustine and Ambrose
Ammianus Marcellinus Ausonius and Claudianus
An anthology of texts in translation present in the indicated textbook will be indicated at the beginning of the course.
Part 2: Materials and texts will be provided during the course. A high school grammar book is recommended.
Part 3: Materials and texts will be provided during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two parts: a written test assessing the lexical and linguistic skills acquired (Modules B-C), which must correspond to the A2 level of the Latin Language Certification, and an oral examination (Modules A-C). Passing the written test is a prerequisite for accessing the oral exam. The written test is divided into two sections: the first assesses lexical competence, while the second evaluates linguistic analysis skills. Detailed information will be provided at the beginning of the course. The written test is administered before the oral exam in every examination session. The oral exam consists of a discussion on the history of Latin literature (Module A) and aspects of Roman civilization (Module C). Students are expected to be familiar with the development of Latin literary history and its reception in modern cultural heritage, as covered in the course. The exam will assess the accuracy of students' exposition of literary issues and their ability to analyze texts discussed in class. Evaluation criteria include linguistic accuracy, clarity of argumentation, the ability to articulate acquired knowledge effectively, and the capacity to establish connections between different parts of the syllabus or related disciplines. The final grade (written test + oral exam) is expressed on a 30-point scale.
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Rossetti Matteo, Stucchi Silvia
(O-Z)
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course is composed of three parts. It is about "Theatre and spectacles in Ancient Rome"
The first part aims to build a vocabulary of Latin words and sentences, in order to enhance the development of linguistic and metalinguistic skills and increase the awareness of the permanence of Latin in the modern languages and cultures. It also aims to develop language activities and skills, in agreement with level A2 of Latin Language Certificates
The second part aims to improve an understanding of the texts in original language, through the analysis of sentences or short passages of Latin authors. Also this unit aims at developing language activities and skills, in agreement with level A2 of Latin Language Certificates.
The third part aims to offer an overview of Latin literature, with a focus on its sharpest turning points and their reception in the modern cultural heritage.
Not attending students are required to contact the teacher before the beginning of the course. However, please note that the syllabus for attending students applies also to non-attending ones.
The first part aims to build a vocabulary of Latin words and sentences, in order to enhance the development of linguistic and metalinguistic skills and increase the awareness of the permanence of Latin in the modern languages and cultures. It also aims to develop language activities and skills, in agreement with level A2 of Latin Language Certificates
The second part aims to improve an understanding of the texts in original language, through the analysis of sentences or short passages of Latin authors. Also this unit aims at developing language activities and skills, in agreement with level A2 of Latin Language Certificates.
The third part aims to offer an overview of Latin literature, with a focus on its sharpest turning points and their reception in the modern cultural heritage.
Not attending students are required to contact the teacher before the beginning of the course. However, please note that the syllabus for attending students applies also to non-attending ones.
Prerequisites for admission
It is required a language proficiency (vocabulary and grammar) corresponding to level A1 of Latin Language Certificates (http://www.cusl.eu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sillabo-.pdf).
N.B. The course is reserved for undergraduate students of Letteratura latina Beni culturali of Unimi. Not others students will be admitted.
N.B. The course is reserved for undergraduate students of Letteratura latina Beni culturali of Unimi. Not others students will be admitted.
Teaching methods
Frontal Teaching (lectures); exercises.
Class attendance is strongly recommended.
Class attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Part 1 and Part 2: didactic resources, suiting each lesson, will be available on the Ariel website of the course.
Part 3: G. Garbarino, L. Pasquariello, M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022. Moreover, texts and didactic resources will be available on the Ariel website of the course.
Alternative textbooks (in case the one mentioned above is no longer available): G.B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Seconda edizione, Le Monnier Università, Milano 2019; P. Fedeli, E. Malaspina, L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, UTET Università, Torino 2023.
Supplementary booklet with summaries and maps of authors and key concepts (recommended):G. Garbarino, M. Manca, L. Pasquariello, De te fabula narratur. I concetti base della letteratura latina, a cura di F. Demarchi e M.G. Palazzo, Paravia, Torino 2020.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Pre-literary forms, the birth of literature and archaic poetry (general characters); Nevius and Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); commedy: Plautus and Terence.
Poetry in the Age of Caesar: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero (oratory, literature, rhetoric, politics and philosophy).
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny Maior.
Neronian Age literature: Seneca and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
The satire of the imperial age: Persius and Juvenal.
The literature of the Trajan era: Pliny the Younger and Suetonius.
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
The non-attending students must contact Prof. Mantelli [email protected] for additional bibliographic references beyond the list of authors and topics indicated above.
Part 3: G. Garbarino, L. Pasquariello, M. Manca, Roma senza tempo. Letteratura e cultura latina, Paravia, 2022. Moreover, texts and didactic resources will be available on the Ariel website of the course.
Alternative textbooks (in case the one mentioned above is no longer available): G.B. Conte, Profilo storico della letteratura latina. Dalle origini alla tarda età imperiale, Seconda edizione, Le Monnier Università, Milano 2019; P. Fedeli, E. Malaspina, L. Antonelli, Le parole di Roma. Storia della letteratura latina, UTET Università, Torino 2023.
Supplementary booklet with summaries and maps of authors and key concepts (recommended):G. Garbarino, M. Manca, L. Pasquariello, De te fabula narratur. I concetti base della letteratura latina, a cura di F. Demarchi e M.G. Palazzo, Paravia, Torino 2020.
The knowledge of these topics and authors is mandatory:
Pre-literary forms, the birth of literature and archaic poetry (general characters); Nevius and Ennius.
Old Republican Age Theatre: tragedy (general survey); commedy: Plautus and Terence.
Poetry in the Age of Caesar: Catullus and Lucretius.
Historiography: Caesar, Sallust, Livy, Tacitus.
Cicero (oratory, literature, rhetoric, politics and philosophy).
Augustan Age poetry: Horace, Vergil, Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid.
Technical and Scientific Literature: Varro, Vitruvius, Pliny Maior.
Neronian Age literature: Seneca and Lucan.
Flavian Age literature: Quintilian, Statius and Martial.
The satire of the imperial age: Persius and Juvenal.
The literature of the Trajan era: Pliny the Younger and Suetonius.
The Novel: Petronius and Apuleius.
The non-attending students must contact Prof. Mantelli [email protected] for additional bibliographic references beyond the list of authors and topics indicated above.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two parts: a test to evaluate the level of language skills is required (part 1 e 2), according to Level A2 of Latin Language Certificates, and an oral examination. The test will value the level of accuracy of linguistic and grammatical skills. The test is mandatory: only if passed, it allows access to oral examination. Information about the test will be illustrated at the beginning of the course. The vote obtained in the test contributes to the final vote obtained in the exam. Students who have already attained Level A2 of Latin Language Certificates are exonerated from the test.
Oral examination shall consist of a question about the history of Latin literature (part 3). Students are required to know the main trends of the history of Latin literature, according to the arguments dealt with in the course and the indications in the section "Teaching Resources" of the present syllabus. The oral examination will test also the property of language and clearness of argumentation. The vote (test + oral examination) is expressed in 30/30.
Oral examination shall consist of a question about the history of Latin literature (part 3). Students are required to know the main trends of the history of Latin literature, according to the arguments dealt with in the course and the indications in the section "Teaching Resources" of the present syllabus. The oral examination will test also the property of language and clearness of argumentation. The vote (test + oral examination) is expressed in 30/30.
L-FIL-LET/04 - LATIN LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Giannuzzi Alessandra, Mantelli Francesco
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday/Thursday at 6.00 pm
room K11 via Noto
Reception:
Spring term: before or after class. The teacher, by appointment, is available for an online meeting.
Online (Mc. Teams) and Via Noto 8