The course will focus on the 4th century BC theatre, with particular reference to the work of Astidamantes of Athens. The first part of the course will focus on this author. The second part of the course will be devoted to Lucian's Podagra , which parodies the austere cadences of the tragic genre on an eminently medical topic, and to the Ocypus.

Through this literary journey that spans more than five centuries, it will be possible to explore relevant methodological issues of philological investigation, literary-historical investigation, cultural history, and the history of thought and mentality.

The first part of the course, in Semester I, will focus on reading and commenting on fragments of the tragic poet Astidamantes of Athens.

In the second part, beginning in Semester II, the reading of Lucian, Podagra, and the Ocypus will be addressed.

The texts 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 tragic (and comic) theatre, of central value in the history of the ancient Greek mentality, with a specific in-depth study of the Greek theatre of the 4th century B.C., a "middle" age that has not yet been sufficiently explored.

More in general, and well in line with the professional profile of the course of study, the procedure of the 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, other texts that may be presented during the lectures), developing skills of analysis, close reading, synthesis and critical thinking on data and sources. The acquired skills 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 and his/her aesthetic sensitivity to the formal, narrative and rhetorical aspects of the literary text.

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 with supplementary information and materials in blended mode.
Metrical reading exercises are planned for the texts of Astidamante and Luciano.

Innovative teaching methods

Classroom seminar activities.

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: 

Astidamante di Atene. Testimonianze e frammenti, a cura di Valerio Pacelli, Roma, TORED 2020

Luciani Opera, recognovit M.D. Macleod, IV, libell. 69 e 74, Oxonii, OCT, Oxford University Press 1987, pp. 1-16 e 123-133.

Pseudo-Luciano, Ocypus, Introduzione, edizione critica, traduzione e commento, a cura di Enrico Magnelli

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 Astidamas

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

Easterling P.E., The End of an Era? Tragedy in the Early Fourth Cen­tury, in A.H. Sommerstein - ST. Halliwell - J. Henderson - B. Zimmermann (eds.), Tragedy, Comedy and the Polis. Papers from the Greek Drama Conference (Nottingham, 18-20 July 1990), Bari 1993, pp. 559-569.

Karamanos G.X., The Influence of Rhetoric on Fourth-Century Tragedy, in «CQ» 29, 1979, pp. 66-76.

Kitto H.D.F., Aristotle and Fourth Century Tragedy, in M. Lelley (ed.), For Service to Classical Studies. Essays in Honour of Francis Let­ters, Melbourne 1966, pp. 113-129.

Kuch H., Continuity and Change in Greek Tragedy under Postclassical Conditions, in A.H. Sommerstein - ST. Halliwell - J. Henderson - B. Zimmermann (eds.), Tragedy, Comedy and the Polis. Papers from the Greek Drama Conference (Nottingham, 18-20 July 1990), Bari 1993, pp. 545-557.

Liapis V., On the Hector of Astydamas, in «AJPh» 137, 2016, pp. 61-89.

Vinagre M.A., Tragedia griega del siglo IV a.C. y tragedia helenística, in «Habis» 32, 2001, pp. 81-95.

Webster T.B.L., Fourth-Century Tragedy and the Poetics, in «Hermes» 82, 1954, pp. 294-308.

Wilson P.J., Tragic Rhetoric: The Use of Tragedy and the Tragic in the Fourth Century, in M.S. Silk (ed.), Tragedy and the Tragic. Greek Theatre and Beyond, Oxford 1996.

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

Graham Anderson, Themes and Composition in Lucian’s Podagra, Rheinisches Museum für Philologie, 1979, Neue Folge, 122. Bd., H. 2 (1979), pp. 149-154

Orestis Karavas, Lucien et la tragédie, Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York, 2005

Georgia Petridou, Laughing Matters: Chronic Pain and Bodily Fragmentation in Lucian’s Podagra, Illinois Classical Studies, Vol. 43, No. 2 (Fall 2018), pp. 488-506

C. For Astidamas' metres, read the manual of B. Gentili, L. Lomiento, Metrics and Rhythmics. History of poetic forms in ancient Greece, Pisa-Roma 2008.

Should the indicated texts not be available at the University Library, the teacher will provide them.

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: 

Astidamante di Atene. Testimonianze e frammenti, a cura di Valerio Pacelli, Roma, TORED 2020

Luciani Opera, recognovit M.D. Macleod, IV, libell. 69 e 74, Oxonii, OCT, Oxford University Press 1987, pp. 1-16 e 123-133.

Pseudo-Luciano, Ocypus, Introduzione, edizione critica, traduzione e commento, a cura di Enrico Magnelli

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 Astidamas

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

Easterling P.E., The End of an Era? Tragedy in the Early Fourth Cen­tury, in A.H. Sommerstein - ST. Halliwell - J. Henderson - B. Zimmermann (eds.), Tragedy, Comedy and the Polis. Papers from the Greek Drama Conference (Nottingham, 18-20 July 1990), Bari 1993, pp. 559-569.

Karamanos G.X., The Influence of Rhetoric on Fourth-Century Tragedy, in «CQ» 29, 1979, pp. 66-76.

Kitto H.D.F., Aristotle and Fourth Century Tragedy, in M. Lelley (ed.), For Service to Classical Studies. Essays in Honour of Francis Let­ters, Melbourne 1966, pp. 113-129.

Kuch H., Continuity and Change in Greek Tragedy under Postclassical Conditions, in A.H. Sommerstein - ST. Halliwell - J. Henderson - B. Zimmermann (eds.), Tragedy, Comedy and the Polis. Papers from the Greek Drama Conference (Nottingham, 18-20 July 1990), Bari 1993, pp. 545-557.

Liapis V., On the Hector of Astydamas, in «AJPh» 137, 2016, pp. 61-89.

Vinagre M.A., Tragedia griega del siglo IV a.C. y tragedia helenística, in «Habis» 32, 2001, pp. 81-95.

Webster T.B.L., Fourth-Century Tragedy and the Poetics, in «Hermes» 82, 1954, pp. 294-308.

Wilson P.J., Tragic Rhetoric: The Use of Tragedy and the Tragic in the Fourth Century, in M.S. Silk (ed.), Tragedy and the Tragic. Greek Theatre and Beyond, Oxford 1996.

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

Graham Anderson, Themes and Composition in Lucian’s Podagra, Rheinisches Museum für Philologie, 1979, Neue Folge, 122. Bd., H. 2 (1979), pp. 149-154

Orestis Karavas, Lucien et la tragédie, Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York, 2005

Georgia Petridou, Laughing Matters: Chronic Pain and Bodily Fragmentation in Lucian’s Podagra, Illinois Classical Studies, Vol. 43, No. 2 (Fall 2018), pp. 488-506

C. For Astidamas' metres, read the manual of B. Gentili, L. Lomiento, Metrics and Rhythmics. History of poetic forms in ancient Greece, Pisa-Roma 2008.

Should the indicated texts not be available at the University Library, the teacher will provide them.

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.