The course will focus on the poetic and theatrical genres of mime and pantomime in ancient Greece, examining Herodas's Mimiambs and Lucian's treatise De saltatione (On Dancing).
Through this literary journey spanning some five centuries, it will be possible to explore relevant methodological issues of philological enquiry, literary-historical enquiry, cultural history, and the history of thought and mentality.

The first part of the course, in semester I, will focus on the reading and commentary of Herodas's Mimiambs.
In the second part, beginning in Semester II, the reading of Lucian, De saltatione will be addressed.
The texts of the two authors will be read in the original language and commented on in detail.

There is no propaedeuticity.

From the point of view of the specific information obtained, at the end of the course the student will have to demonstrate that he/she has acquired an in-depth knowledge of cultural phenomena, such as mime and dance, of central value in the history of ancient Greek mentality.

More generally, and well in line with the professional profile of the course of study, the procedure of analytical reading of the chosen texts will have a significant impact on the student's ability to deal competently and rigorously with the reading of the proposed texts (literary, dramatic, philosophical, as well as other texts that may be presented during the lectures), developing skills of analysis, close reading, synthesis and critical thinking on data and sources.

The set of skills acquired will enable the student to independently formulate philologically grounded hypotheses on new texts or new sets of texts (data, sources, literary texts).

In terms of training, the student will deepen his/her awareness of specific methodological aspects characterising philological and historical-literary investigation, as well as his/her aesthetic sensitivity to the formal, narrative and rhetorical aspects of literary discourse in poetry and prose.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lessons with information and supplementary materials in blended mode.

Metrical exercises are planned for the reading of Herodas's texts.

Innovative teaching methods

Debate

Attendance

A solid knowledge of the ancient Greek language is strictly required.

To be counted as “attending”, students must participate in at least 50% of teaching hours and/or, for example, have completed any classwork, exercises or other activities the lecturer organised during the course.

The student is required to read all the texts foreseen in the program, which s/he will have to translate and comment on according to the lines indicated in the course.

The student is also required to scrupulously read the study texts indicated in the program and any other text recommended by the professor during the lessons.

The student is also expected to show a knowledge of Greek literature with particular attention to the parts (authors, works, historical-literary periods) that have been the subject of the course.

Course books

I. Editions: 

Herodas Mimiambs, ed. with translation, Introduction and Commentary by Graham Zanker, Oxford, Athenaeum Press, 2009

saranno consultate anche le edizioni di I.C. Cunningham, Herodae Mimiambi, Leipzig, Teubner, 1987; J. Arbuthnot Nairn, Hérondas Mimes, Paris, Les Belles Lettres 1960

Luciani Opera, recognovit M.D. Macleod, III, libell. 45, Oxonii, e typographico clarendoniano, 1980, pp. 26-54

II. Handbook of Ancient Greek Literature:

The student is required to read the sections concerning Hellenistic literature and the literature of the Imperial age in one of the following handbooks:

- L.E. Rossi (Firenze, Le Monnier, 1995)

- G.A. Privitera - R. Pretagostini (Torino, Einaudi, 1997)

 - F. Montanari (Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998)

III. Supplementary readings (mandatory)

A. On Heroda: 

the student is required to read two of the following essays:

F. Bernini, Studi sul mimo, Annali della R. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, 27, 1915

R.W. Reynolds, The Adultery Mime, CQ 40, 1946, pp. 77-84

R.G. Ussher, The Mimiamboi of Herodas, Hermathena 129, 1980, pp. 65-76

R.G. Ussher, The Mimic Tradition of ‘Character’ in Herodas, QUCC 21, 1985, pp. 45-68

D. Konstan, The Tyrant Goddess: Herodas’s Fifth “Mime”, CA 8, 1989, pp. 267-282

R.J. Finnegan, Women in Herodian Mime, Hermathena 152, 1992, pp. 21-37

Chr. G. Brown, The Big Sleep: Herodas 8.5, ZPE 102, 1994, pp. 95-99

Eronda. Mimiambi (V-XIII), a cura di Lamberto Di Gregorio, Milano, Vita e Pensiero, 1999 e 2001

A. Fountoulakis, Herondas 8.66-79: Generic Self.Consciousness and Artistic Claims in Herondas’ Mimiambs, Mnemosyne 55, 2002, pp. 301-309

B. On Lucian:

the student is required to read two of the following essays:

J. Bompaire, Lucien Écrivain. Imitiation et Création, Paris, E. De Boccard Editeur, 1958

A. Camerotto, Le metamorfosi della parola. Studi sulla parodia in Luciano di Samosata, Istituti Editoriali e Poligrafici Internazionali, Pisa Roma 1998

G. E. Wootton, A Mask of Attis “Oscilla” as Evidence for a Theme of Pantomime, Latomus 58, 1999, pp. 314-335

I. Lada-Richards, Μύθων εἰκών: Pantomime Dancing and the Figurative Arts in Imperial and Late Antiquity, Arion 12, 2004, pp. 17-46

I. Lada-Richards, In the Mirror of the Dance: A Lucianic Metaphor in Its Performative and Ethical Contexts, Mnemosyne 58, 2005, pp. 335-357

M.-H. Garelli, La Danza di Luciano: dagli artifici dell’elogio parodico ai dibattiti contemporanei sull’identità, in Ritmo, parola, immagine. Il teatro classico e la sua tradizione, a cura di A. Andrisano, Palermo, Palumbo, 2011, pp. 43-62

I. Lada-Richards, Silent Eloquence: Lucian and Pantomime Dancing, London New Dehli New York Sydney, Bloomsbury, 2015

I. Lada-Richards, Dancing Trees: Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” and the Imprint of Pantomime, AJPh 137, 2016, pp. 131-169

C. For Herods's metres the reading of the manual of B. Gentili, L. Lomiento, Metrics and Rhythmics. History of poetic forms in ancient Greece, Pisa-Roma 2008, is recommended.

Should not the indicated texts be available at the University Library, they will be provided by the teacher.

Assessment

Oral examination

- The oral examination consists of general questions on the subject of the course and a test of translation, with commentary, of portions of a text from among the texts in the syllabus. It is aimed at ascertaining a thorough knowledge of the ancient authors and texts covered by the course, read in the original language, and of the complementary bibliography indicated in the vademecum.

The following will be assessed as excellent: an excellent knowledge of the ancient Greek language; the student's possession of good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to confidently link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair marks: a fair knowledge of ancient Greek; the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a modest critical capacity and the ability to connect the topics covered; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient knowledge of the ancient Greek language; the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with in the examination texts, despite the presence of some educational gaps; the use of inappropriate language, will result in sufficient marks. 

The following will result in negative assessments: insufficient knowledge of the ancient Greek language; difficulty in the student's orientation in relation to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; educational gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Information and supplementary materials are provided in blended mode.

Attendance

The student is required to read all the texts in the program, which must be translated and commented according to the lines indicated in the course.

It is absolutely necessary to have a solid knowledge of the Greek language.

The student is required to read carefully the study texts planned.

The student is required to show knowledge of Greek literature with special attention to the parts (authors, works, historical-literary periods) that have been the subject of the course.

Course books

I. Editions: 

Herodas Mimiambs, ed. with translation, Introduction and Commentary by Graham Zanker, Oxford, Athenaeum Press, 2009

saranno consultate anche le edizioni di I.C. Cunningham, Herodae Mimiambi, Leipzig, Teubner, 1987; J. Arbuthnot Nairn, Hérondas Mimes, Paris, Les Belles Lettres 1960

Luciani Opera, recognovit M.D. Macleod, III, libell. 45, Oxonii, e typographico clarendoniano, 1980, pp. 26-54

II. Handbook of Ancient Greek Literature:

The student is required to read the sections concerning Hellenistic literature and the literature of the Imperial age in one of the following handbooks:

- L.E. Rossi (Firenze, Le Monnier, 1995)

- G.A. Privitera - R. Pretagostini (Torino, Einaudi, 1997)

 - F. Montanari (Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1998)

III. Supplementary readings (mandatory)

A. On Heroda: 

the student is required to read two of the following essays:

F. Bernini, Studi sul mimo, Annali della R. Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa, 27, 1915

R.W. Reynolds, The Adultery Mime, CQ 40, 1946, pp. 77-84

R.G. Ussher, The Mimiamboi of Herodas, Hermathena 129, 1980, pp. 65-76

R.G. Ussher, The Mimic Tradition of ‘Character’ in Herodas, QUCC 21, 1985, pp. 45-68

D. Konstan, The Tyrant Goddess: Herodas’s Fifth “Mime”, CA 8, 1989, pp. 267-282

R.J. Finnegan, Women in Herodian Mime, Hermathena 152, 1992, pp. 21-37

Chr. G. Brown, The Big Sleep: Herodas 8.5, ZPE 102, 1994, pp. 95-99

Eronda. Mimiambi (V-XIII), a cura di Lamberto Di Gregorio, Milano, Vita e Pensiero, 1999 e 2001

A. Fountoulakis, Herondas 8.66-79: Generic Self.Consciousness and Artistic Claims in Herondas’ Mimiambs, Mnemosyne 55, 2002, pp. 301-309

B. On Lucian:

the student is required to read two of the following essays:

J. Bompaire, Lucien Écrivain. Imitiation et Création, Paris, E. De Boccard Editeur, 1958

A. Camerotto, Le metamorfosi della parola. Studi sulla parodia in Luciano di Samosata, Istituti Editoriali e Poligrafici Internazionali, Pisa Roma 1998

G. E. Wootton, A Mask of Attis “Oscilla” as Evidence for a Theme of Pantomime, Latomus 58, 1999, pp. 314-335

I. Lada-Richards, Μύθων εἰκών: Pantomime Dancing and the Figurative Arts in Imperial and Late Antiquity, Arion 12, 2004, pp. 17-46

I. Lada-Richards, In the Mirror of the Dance: A Lucianic Metaphor in Its Performative and Ethical Contexts, Mnemosyne 58, 2005, pp. 335-357

M.-H. Garelli, La Danza di Luciano: dagli artifici dell’elogio parodico ai dibattiti contemporanei sull’identità, in Ritmo, parola, immagine. Il teatro classico e la sua tradizione, a cura di A. Andrisano, Palermo, Palumbo, 2011, pp. 43-62

I. Lada-Richards, Silent Eloquence: Lucian and Pantomime Dancing, London New Dehli New York Sydney, Bloomsbury, 2015

I. Lada-Richards, Dancing Trees: Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” and the Imprint of Pantomime, AJPh 137, 2016, pp. 131-169

C. For Herods's metres the reading of the manual of B. Gentili, L. Lomiento, Metrics and Rhythmics. History of poetic forms in ancient Greece, Pisa-Roma 2008, is recommended.

Should not the indicated texts be available at the University Library, they will be provided by the teacher.

Assessment

Oral examination

- The oral examination consists of general questions on the subject of the course and a test of translation, with commentary, of portions of a text from among the texts in the syllabus. It is aimed at ascertaining a thorough knowledge of the ancient authors and texts covered by the course, read in the original language, and of the complementary bibliography indicated in the vademecum.

The following will be assessed as excellent: an excellent knowledge of the ancient Greek language; the student's possession of good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to confidently link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair marks: a fair knowledge of ancient Greek; the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a modest critical capacity and the ability to connect the topics covered; the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient knowledge of the ancient Greek language; the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with in the examination texts, despite the presence of some educational gaps; the use of inappropriate language, will result in sufficient marks. 

The following will result in negative assessments: insufficient knowledge of the ancient Greek language; difficulty in the student's orientation in relation to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; educational gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.