90099 - History and Success of Classical Mythology

Learning outcomes

The studente acquires the tools for the analysis and interpretation of Classical Mythology, both in its synchronic (structure) and diachronic (history) aspects. The recurrence of themes tied to the classical mythologic narrative is also identified in some cultural contexts that are subsequent to the original one. This process includes the discovery of echoes of classical mythology in modern and contemporary culture

Course contents

The course is divided into two sections:

a) Comprehensive introduction to Greek myth through literary texts and iconographic sources: reading and analysis of some exemplary myths;

b) The Narrative of the Trojan War: profiles, characters, and deeds of the heroes and heroines of the Trojan cycle, from Homer to its reception in Greek literature and in contemporary culture.

This course may be complemented by Greek Language and Literature, which will be offered in the second semester.

Readings/Bibliography

a) General Introduction to Greek Myth
Lecture notes must be supplemented by the study of all teaching materials and literary texts available on Virtuale. Students are required to read in full, in translation, at least one complete literary work chosen from the following (alternative editions may be agreed upon with the instructor):

• Hesiod, Theogony, ed. G. Arrighetti, Turin: Einaudi, 2023;

• Bacchylides, Odes and Fragments, ed. M. Giuseppetti, Milan: Bur, 2015;

• Helen: Variations on the Myth, ed. F. Donadi, Venice: Marsilio, 2022;

• Lucian, Dialogues of the Sea-Gods, Dialogues of the Gods, Dialogues of the Courtesans, ed. A. Lami and F. Maltomini, Milan: Bur, 1986.

b) Monographic Section
In addition to the course handouts and texts made available on Virtuale, students are required to read in full Homer’s Iliad (recommended editions: Iliade, trans. G. Cerri, commentary by A. Gostoli, Milan: Bur, 1999 and subsequent reprints; Iliade, ed. G. Paduano, Turin: Einaudi, 2025) as well as one contemporary rewriting, to be chosen from the following:

• A. Baricco, Omero, Iliade, Milan: Feltrinelli, 2006 and subsequent reprints;

• M. Miller, The Song of Achilles (Italian translation: Venice: Marsilio, 2019 and subsequent reprints);

• P. Barker, The Silence of the Girls (Italian translation: Turin: Einaudi, 2021).

Non-attending students are required to read I miti greci, a cura di G. Zanetto, Milano: Bur, 2007.

Teaching methods

Reading and analysis of literary texts concerning  the myths taken into consideration and comparison with the ancient and modern iconographic tradition.

In particular, with reference to Achilles and Ulysses, at least one lesson will be held at thePalazzo Milzetti, Faenza, Museum of Neoclassicism in Romagna, where Felice Giani's important decorative cycles with scenes from the Iliad and Odyssey are to be found.

Assessment methods

Oral examination that will consist of critical discussion on both sections of the course.

The assessment will be based on the following criteria

• negative assessment: the student demonstrates inadequate preparation. He/she is unable to understand and contextualise the mythographic traditions on the syllabus.
  

• sufficient assessment: the student demonstrates acceptable preparation. Is able to understand and contextualise the mythographic traditions on the syllabus (marks between 18/30 and 23/30);
• positive evaluation: the student demonstrates a good preparation in the mythographic tradition on the syllabus, knows its fundamental themes and iconographic fortune (marks between 24/30 and 27/30);
• excellent evaluation: the student demonstrates an excellent preparation in all parts of the test and possesses significant capacity for critical elaboration of the topics covered (marks between 28/30 and 30/30).

Teaching tools

The following teaching materials are available on the course website:

• texts of the classical authors analysed
• critical essays on the topics addressed
• handouts and slides presented in class.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Iannucci