The course aims to provide students with the knowledge and methodology which are necessary in order to acquire the ability to critically analyse and reflect upon the ancient tradition on Pericles, the most representative politician of the classical age in Athens. A particular focus will be placed on the role of a few women who (at various levels and in various ways) had a relationship with the Athenian statesman. An in-depth and disenchanted reading of the sources reveals that female figures such as Elpinice and Aspasia exerted a certain degree of influence on Pericles' political choices. In modern scholarship, this aspect has only been remarked to a limited extent, and through the distorting lens of a prejudicial vision of the role of women in ancient Greek society. Moreover, Pericles' strong attention to the feminine universe provided a powerful tool of denigration to critics and opponents of his time. In particular, this can be clearly observed in theatrical communication and in denigratory writings, whose most emblematic representative is Stesimbrotos of Thasos. Yet, the underlying prejudice against women, which in hostile sources informs the distorted reading of Pericles' political activity, once well focused, allows us to propose a stimulating reconstruction of the intertwining between private life and public commitment of the great Athenian statesman.

During the course we will illustrate the main phases of the events relating to Pericles through a critical analysis of the main sources, focusing in particular on the reflection, in the ancient tradition and in the re-elaborations of later ages, of the significant role of a few women who revolved around the great statesman.

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

Lectures and seminars

Attendance

Attendance is not compulsory, but is strongly recommended

Course books

Plutarco, Vite parallele, Pericle e Fabio Massimo, Introduzione di Philip A. Stadter, traduzione e note di Anna Santoni, Milano: BUR Rizzoli, 1991.

U. Bultrighini - E. Dimauro (a cura di), Donne che contano nella Storia greca, Lanciano: Carabba, 2014.