Ateneo - UPO

Introduction to classical philology

1) L. Canfora, Lezioni di filologia classica, Il Mulino 2023 (Euro 15, ISBN 8815386734)
2) T. Braccini, La scienza dei testi antichi. Introduzione alla filologia classica, Le Monnier Università (Euro 16,80, ISBN 9788800746540)
3) P. Chiesa, La trasmissione dei testi latini. Storia e metodo critico, Carocci (Euro 26, ISBN 9788843094455)
4) L. Del Corso, Il libro nel mondo antico, Carocci (Euro 30, ISBN 9788829013319)

Acquisition of a basic knowledge of classical philology. Knowledge of the history of the discipline, of the history of the tradition of texts, of the principles of text criticism. The acquisition of the rudiments of philology is functional to the correct understanding and use of the critical editions of the classical texts. These objectives will contribute in equal parts to the final evaluation. Teachers will pose questions measuring the achievement of these learning objectives.

Knowledge of Latin, at least at a basic level. This course is therefore aimed to students who have studied Latin for five years at a secondary school or who have already passed the language examination of the course "Introduzione alla civiltà letteraria latina". Knowledge of ancient Greek is not required, since the set texts will be distinguished based on the language skills of the students. The students taking the course must have a basic knowledge of IT (internet; download of files from the DIR website).

Lectures; classroom discussion; online teaching.

The teachers will prepare didactic materials relevant to the course. These materials can be accessed through the university intranet service (DIR). This course is part of the study programme in "Ancient and Medieval world", of which it is a fundamental component. However, students who do not follow this study programme are very welcome to attend the course.

The exam will take place in oral form, divided into two parts. One part will focus on the history of philology, on the principles of text criticism and on texts in Greek (for those who have knowledge of Greek). A second part will focus on the study of text supports (papyri, codices) and on the examination of texts in Latin. Each of these parts will verify the students' knowledge of the history of philology and of the concepts of textual criticism, which will then be examined through the translation of passages from Latin (and, where possible, from Greek) and the discussion of the textual problems and the critical apparatus. The final grade will be based on the degree of knowledge and understanding of the texts and of the philological concepts, on the ability to apply this knowledge to the text or to the proposed textual and interpretative problems, and on the ability of expression and communication. A mark with distinction will be attributed to those students who will have acquired the methodologies of classical philology and who will prove to have become able to make independent judgements.

Introduction to the study of classical philology. History of the discipline. History of the transmission of ancient texts. Principles of textual criticism. Philological analysis of texts. Rudiments of papyrology and codicology.

Acquisition of a basic knowledge of classical philology through the study of the history of the discipline and of the principles of text criticism and through the philological analysis of classical texts. The critical study of the select passages is functional to an understanding of the methods of textual criticism. The achievement of these results will be verified based on the linguistic and philological abilities in the study of classical texts, knowledge of the history of philology, familiarity with the methodologies and principles of textual criticism.