99518 - LINGUA E CULTURA DEL MONDO BIZANTINO

Learning outcomes

The teaching aims to provide students with a basic knowledge of Byzantine culture, as well as a method for approaching the reading of Greek texts from the 4th to the 15th centuries, using the main lexicons and auxiliary tools of the field. By the end of the course, the student will be familiar with the role played by Byzantium in the history of European culture, along with the main aspects that shaped its literary production. They will also be aware of the deep interactions that characterized the relationship between the Byzantine world and the Latin, Muslim (Arabic and Ottoman), and Slavic worlds during the Middle Ages. Furthermore, they will be able to read and understand literary, epigraphic, and documentary texts in their original language, with the help of lexicons and modern translations.

Course contents

The course will be divided into two modules of 30 hours each: Module A) Introductory Part (Margherita Pomero); Module B) Monographic Part (Salvatore Cosentino).


Module A) Introductory Part (Margherita Pomero)

Introduction to Byzantine literature

This section will consist of an introduction to the most representative authors, works, and trends in Byzantine literature from the 4th to the 15th century. In particular, considering the specific interests of the degree course, the lecturer will focus on literary texts related to the description of places, buildings, or artworks connected to the capital of the empire, Constantinople. The collection of proposed texts will include Malalas, Procopius, Paul the Silentiary, George of Pisidia, Photius, Constantine Rhodius, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, Psellus, Nikephoros Choniates, and George Pachymeres.

Module B) Monographic Part (Salvatore Cosentino)

Emperors and powers behind the throne: the reign of Michael V in Psellos' Chronographia.

Son of a ship caulker worker and the sister of Emperor Michael IV, the short-lived reign of Michael V (1041-1042) sheds light on the court society in 11th-century Constantinople. In particular, the role of eunuch dignitaries, the structure of the Constantinopolitan aristocracy, as well as the role of women in solidifying the concept of imperial legitimacy will be analyzed.

Readings/Bibliography

Module A: Introductory part (Margherita Pomero):

The following readings are required:

 ― A. Kambylis, 'Compendio della letteratura bizantina', in H.-G. Nesselrath, Introduzione alla filologia greca, It. transl., Rome, Salerno Editrice, 2004, pp. 446-478.

 ― Andreas Rhoby, La letteratura bizantina. Un profilo storico, It. transl., Rome 2022.

― A. Cavallo, Libri e lettori nel mondo bizantino. Guida storica e critica, Roma-Bari 1990 (o edizioni successive).

Module B: Monographic part (Salvatore Cosentino):

The following readings are required:

― Book V, in Michele Psello, Imperatori di Bisanzio, I, Milano 1993, (with facing translation), pp. 182-244.

― M. Barbagli, Uomini senza. Storia degli eunuchi e del declino della violenza, Bologna 2023, pp. 1-184.

― A. Carile, Gerarchie e caste, in Morfologie sociali e culturali in Europa fra Tarda Antichità e Alto Medioevo (XLV Settimana del Centro Italiano di Studi sull’Alto Medioevo, Spoleto 1998, 123-176.

Note: Non-attending students are kindly requested to contact the course instructor for the program and bibliography.

Teaching methods

The first module is organised as a series of introductory lectures on Byzantine literature, complemented by in-depth studies or focuses on various authors, which will be read in Italian translation and commented on, with the support (when possible) of visual sources. The second module will have more of a seminar format; in addition to analysing content, it aims to convey a method for organising research in the field of late antique and Byzantine literature (specialised vocabulary, bibliographical research and OPACs, i.e. 'online public access calalogues', dictionaries, and the re-actualisation of antiquity in the contemporary world). Since the common thread of teaching in both modules will be the same literary texts, attendance at the course is highly recommended.

 

P.S. Foreign students wishing to take the course must have a knowledge of Italian of at least level B2.

Assessment methods

Passing the examination requires an oral examination.

It consists of an assessment of the notions and concepts learned relating to module A) and module B) of the course.

The final mark for the examination is determined by the following scores: 15/30 for module A) 15/30 for module B).

The notions learnt, the ability to express in appropriate language the description of facts, situations or concepts, as well as the ability to critically rework information received in the course will be considered important for assessment.

The final assessment will be based on the following indications:

― insufficient grade: lack of basic knowledge and inability to critically discuss texts or concepts.

― grade sufficient: possession of basic knowledge but limited ability to critically discuss texts or concepts.

― good grade: possession of intermediate level knowledge and ability to critically discuss texts or concepts.

― grade excellent: thorough possession of knowledge at a high level, ability to critically discuss texts or concepts and excellent quality of oral presentation.

Teaching tools

― Translations of sources.

― Power-point presentations.

― Introduction to using bibliographical resources (i.e. how to find a publication)

― Introduction to analysing a publication (i.e. how to read it critically)

Office hours

See the website of Margherita Elena Pomero