27563 - Medieval and Classical Latin Literature (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will know the history of Middle Latin literature in broad outline, and have the ability to analyse both original texts and Italian translations from a literary point of view. They will grasp how different cultures interacted in history. They will be able to describe and illustrate the multi-level relations between history and literature. They will have learnt to listen, understand and debate respectfully with different cultures and viewpoints.

Course contents

Cities of perfection. The Legenda aurea of James of Voragine.

The course will be organized in two parts. In the first part - as part of a general presentation of medieval Latin literature - the significance of the production and use of texts of a literary character throughout the Middle Ages will be examined, also considering historical literary, historical cultural and historical political aspects (why is it written? how is it read?).

In the second part of the course, parts of the Legenda aurea by Iacopo da Varazze will be read in relation to the theme of perfection as an element of city identity in the 13th century and as an eventual constructive factor in the elaboration of the notion of just collectivity.

Reading exercises will be offered, covering (1) accessing medieval manuscripts, (2) text criticism, (3) literary criticism, and (4) historical criticism.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Institutional part

Only one work of your choice from the following

Letteratura latina medievale (secoli VI-XV). Un manuale cur. Claudio Leonardi, Firenze, SISMEL. Edizioni del Galluzzo [http://www.sismel.it/] 2002 pp. XII-512 (Millennio medievale 31. Strumenti [SISMEL] 2) (seven essays selected)

Medioevo latino e cultura europea. In ricordo di Claudio Leonardi, cur. A. Paravicini Bagliani - F. Santi, Firenze, SISMEL.Edizioni del Galluzzo 2021, MediEvi 32. (seven essays selected)

2. For the monographic part

(A) A selection of texts read, translated and commented on in class by Iacopo da Varazze Legenda aurea con le miniature del codice Ambrosiano C 240 inf., ed. comm. Giovanni Maggioni, trad. G. Maggioni et alii, praef. Claudio Leonardi, Firenze-Milano, SISMEL. Edizioni del Galluzzo-Biblioteca Ambrosiana 2007 voll. 2 pp. LXXI-1820 (Edizione nazionale dei testi mediolatini 20)

and (B) one of the following two volumes

Hans Conrad Peyer, Città e santi patroni nell'Italia medievale trad. Claudia Caduff, praef. Anna Benvenuti, Firenze, Le Lettere 1998 pp. 114 (Le vie della storia 35) (Traduzione italiana di H.C. Peyer Stadt und Stadpatron im Mittelalterichen Italien Zurich 1955, con introduzione che ne aggiorna alcuni contenuti).

or - alternatively - seven essays selected from the volume I Santi Patroni. Modelli di santità, culti e patronati in Occidente cur. Claudio Leonardi - Antonella Degl'Innocenti, Milano, Centro Tibaldi 1999 pp. XXII-330 tavv.

Non-attending students will have to prepare themselves on a further Latin work of the Middle Ages of a historiographic nature, agreed with the teacher

Teaching methods

1. The teacher will present the themes and problems envisaged by the program, discussing the methodological and history aspects of culture with the students, reading and commenting on Middle Latin texts (also considering handwritten witnesses).

2. The teacher will read and comment on James of Voragine's text

3. During the course, the teacher will present to the students the problem of the handwritten transmission of medieval historiographic works, giving tools to describe and use a medieval code.

Assessment methods

The exam is oral and normally lasts about 30 minutes, during which the teacher also offers the student the space to present their topic in an articulated way. The following articulation of the interview should be kept in mind.

In the first part the student will be confronted with the general problems posed by the course and will be questioned on the general characteristics of medieval Latin literature and medieval historiography. It will be possible to discuss profiles of Middle-Latin authors or general themes posed by the Latin literature of the Middle Ages.

In the second part of the exam some parts of the texts read in class will be discussed in relation to the problems and hypotheses posed by the course.

Finally - eventually, in case of specific interest on the part of the student - it will be possible to question him on the problematic aspects that characterize the critical edition of historiographic texts. For this reason the teacher will propose specific readings to interested parties

Teaching tools

During the course, the main internet sites that allow access to information on Latin authors, texts and manuscripts of the Middle Ages will be presented

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Santi