Ateneo - UPO

Theatre and performance in the ancient world

1) A. Belardinelli, Lo spettacolo teatrale dei Greci. Le Monnier, 2023. ISBN 9788800750370. 2) B. Zimmermann, La commedia greca. Carocci, 2016. ISBN 9788843083114. 3) O. Taplin, Comic Angels and Other Approaches to Greek Drama through Vase-Paintings, Oxford University Press, Oxford 1994. ISBN 9780198150008. 4) M. Di Marco, Storia del teatro greco, Roma 2020.

At a first level, acquisition of an advanced knowledge of the theatrical production of the Greek and Roman world from a literatury, performative and historical-cultural perspective. At a more advanced level, the students will acquire an ability to make formal and thematic comparisons between different texts, so as to show a comprehensive understanding of ancient theatre.

The students must either have passed the exam of Introduction to Greek literary culture or they must have graduated from a Liceo classico. Knowledge of Ancient Greek is not required for attending this course. Basic IT knowledge (internet; download of files from the DIR website). Good knowledge of Italian. Basic information about ancient history and the geography of the Mediterranean area, as taught in Italian high schools.

Lectures; classroom discussion.

The teacher prepared didactic materials relevant to the course. These materials can be accessed through the university intranet service (DIR). Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via reference office consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities. Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The final exam consists of an oral examination that will focus on the following points: knowledge of essential data relating to the authors and works in the program (weight 33% of the final grade); knowledge of essential data relating to literary history (standard question: "in what historical, geographical and performance context was one of the literary works in the program presented to the ancient public?") (weight 33% of the final grade); ability to establish connections and formulate judgments on the works in the program (weight 33% of the final grade). The final grade will be based on the degree of knowledge and understanding of the texts and essential concepts, on the ability to understand a text or tackle the proposed interpretative problem, and on the degree of expressive and communicative ability. Honors are achieved when one demonstrates having acquired a capacity for profound and autonomous critical reflection with respect to the contents of the course.

Reading in Italian translation and interpretation of some fundamental texts of the ancient theatre (Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, Aristophanes, Menander, Plautus, Terence), study of the figurative evidence relating to theatrical performance in the ancient world. Select chapters of M. Di Marco, Storia del teatro greco, Roma 2020.

At a first level, knowledge of essential data relating to the theatrical production of the ancient world. At an advanced level, ability to formulate judgments on the works planned to establish thematic and formal connections between the texts.