27563 - Medieval and Classical Latin Literature (1)

Course contents

The course is divided in two parts. In a first section, it will provide a general overview of the historical development of Medieval latin literature between the 6^th and the 13^th century. In this part of the course, we will examine the general trends of development of Medieval literature in different times and contexts, and the birth and evolution of the literary genres constituting it. In the second section, my classes will offer students a chronological overview of Medieval historiography (6th-13th c.) and an analysis of the types of texts belonging to this literary genre. A number of representative texts will be selected in order to allow students to become familiar with the most important historiographical sources and types of sources, and to learn the ways in which those sources can be used when learning the History of the Middle Ages.

Readings/Bibliography

Sources (selection): Gregorio di Tours, Storia dei Franchi, ed. by M.Oldoni, Napoli 2001, 2 voll; Eginardo, Vita Karoli, ed. by P. Chiesa, Firenze 2014; Richero di Reims, Historiae, ed. by H. Hoffmann, Hannover 2000. The texts will be distributed to the students in copies, and uploaded on the electronic platform of the University of Bologna («materiali didattici online»).

- General Studies: C. Leonardi et al. (eds), Letteratura latina medievale (secoli VI-XV), un manuale, Firenze 2002; E. D’Angelo, La letteratura latina medievale: una storia per generi, Roma 2009 (si veda in particolare il capitolo "Storiografia", p. 175-215); P. Chiesa, La letteratura latina del Medioevo, Roma 2017.

- Further Studies (selection): B, Guenée, Storia e cultura storica dell'Occidente medioevale, Bologna 1991; La storiografia medioevale. Atti della XVII settimana di studio del Centro Italiano di Studi sull'Alto Medioevo, Spoleto, 1970; Universal Chronicles in the High Middle Ages, ed. M. Campopiano - H. Bainton, York 2017.

Non attending students will read, together with the texts listed as "General Studies", one of the two works: 1) Liutprando da Cremona, Antapodosis, ed. by P. Chiesa, Milano 2015; 2) Rodulfus Glaber, Storie dell'Anno Mille, ed. by G. Cavallo e G. Orlandi, Milano 1996.

Teaching methods

Classes (30 hours). Classes will consists of introductory lessons given by Prof. Ventura, and of close discussions on the translation and interpretation of the selected texts.

Assessment methods

The exams will consists of an interview. Student will be examined in their skills to 1) identify and describe the historical and typological development of Medieval latin literature, as well as the main steps and phases of its history; 2) picture the development of Medieval historiography, and characterize the texts belonging to this literary genre); 3) translate, discuss, and comment upon the selected texts.

In particular, I will assess the students’ skills in using Medieval historiographical sources when studying the history of the European Middle Ages.

Teaching tools

During classes, I will provide students with further readings. Besides, the first part of the course will include an overview of the research tools (manuals, editions of Medieval texts, bibliographies etc.) concerning the history of Medieval latin literature.

Office hours

See the website of Iolanda Ventura