19735 - Byzantine Literature

Learning outcomes

Knowledge of the most important aspects of the Byzantine literature (prose and poetry), and ability to make a conscious use of the relevant bibliography. Reading selected texts (with special attention to historiography, theology, novels) the student get to understand the role of the Byzantine literature in relation to the Arabic, Latin and Slavic civilizations and their legacy for the literary production of modern Europe.

Course contents

- Outline of the Byzantine literature, and its relation to the neighbouring (Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Slavic, Armenian and Georgian) cultures: Neoplatonism; monastic literature (prose and poetry); historiography; Byzantine romances; commentaries and editorial activity (Eusthatios of Thessaloniki; Maximos Planudes).

- Politicians with high cultural level, and distinguished scholars at the Byzantine court: Photios (9th c.), Psellos (11th c.), Anna Comnena (12th c.). 

- Selected and commented bibliography concerning the Byzantine literature.

Students who can not attend the course must contact the professor for a special programme.

 

Readings/Bibliography

- Leighton D. Reynolds e Nigel G. Wilson, Copisti e filologi: la tradizione dei classici dall'antichità ai tempi moderni, traduzione di Mirella Ferrari, con una premessa di Giuseppe Billanovich, 3rd edition, Padova: Antenore, 1987. Reading of the "Premessa" and of ch. I-II is requested to all students.

Individual reading (free choice): at least 50 pages from one or more Byzantine authors in modern translation; it is recommended  to check up, if possible, the original text in the critical edition presented during the course; the opportunity of individual reading of Byzantine texts is offered to the students who attend the Laboratory of Byzantine Greek.

Suggested bibliography for personal readings:
- Poeti bizantini, antologia di testi in traduzione italiana con testo greco a fronte a cura di Raffaele Cantarella e Fabrizio Conca, 2 volumi, Milano: Rizzoli, 1992.
- Bisanzio nella sua letteratura, antologia di testi in traduzione italiana a cura di Umberto Albini e Enrico V. Maltese, seconda edizione, Milano: Garzanti, 2004.

- Fozio, Biblioteca, a cura di Nigel Wilson, Milano: Adelphi, 1992.

- Digenis Akritas: poema anonimo bizantino, a cura di Paolo Odorico, prefazione di Enrico V. Maltese, Firenze: Giunti, 1995.

- Romanzi cavallereschi bizantini, a cura di Carolina Cupane, Torino: Unione tipografico-editrice torinese, 1995.

Students should regularly attend the course, where they are led to make personal and critical use of the primary bibliography concerning Byzantine literature. This is one of the most important aims of the course.

Teaching methods

Lessons; seminar's meetings; practical training (specialized libraries).

Assessment methods

Oral examination and a written text (10 questions) about essential bibliography and Byzantine studies in the history of European scholarship.

For students who do not attend the course there is only an oral examination, about the special programme individually decided in agreement with the professor. 

Teaching tools

Projector, maps of the Byzantine empire and neighbouring countries.
Digital and printed reproductions of Byzantine manuscripts.
Visit to the MSS. Departments of the Biblioteca Estense of Modena and of the Biblioteca Malatestiana of Cesena. Optional, date and time to arrange with the interested students.

Office hours

See the website of Chiara Francesca Faraggiana di Sarzana