90417 - Greek Civilization: Information and Communication Technology

Learning outcomes

The course aims to provide an interdisciplinary knowledge on the Information and Communication Technologies in classical civilization (oral and written culture). The classical texts will be studied as model for a critical analysis of the contemporary scenario of digital culture.

Course contents

The Alphabets of Alexander the Great. Orality and writing of a tradition.

The course intends to analyze the complex relationship between literature and the material forms of transmission of classical texts up to the contemporary age through the exemplum of Alexander the Great and the various stories of his life of kingdoms and conquests. In this perspective, the different tools of construction and diffusion of tradition will be examined: starting from the oral language of the myth, fundamental in Greek civilization and education, through the study of the different forms of writing support (epigraphs, papyri, manuscripts, up to contemporary media), we will try to show how the story and the myth of the Macedonian king are intrinsically linked to the different means of transmission, which are at the same time an indispensable support, a necessary condition and an absolute bond.

The course is structured around the following topics:

1) the orality of myth as an educational, cultural and political tool: the mythological cycles of Achilles and Heracles as foundations of the Macedonian empire, the Iliad as moral inspiration and geographical guide of Alexander the Great, the relationship between Greek mythology and Oriental mythology;

2) writing on stone: the kingship celebrated in epigraphy, the bas-reliefs of the Mediterranean area depicting the majesty of the sovereign, the statuary of Alexander's victories;

3) the testimony of the Greek-language papyri relating to Alexander's feat, in particular The meeting with the Gymnosophists (P. Berol. 13044) and the Oracle of the Potter (P. Oxy. 2332);

4) the library as a place of knowledge, tradition and conservation, from the construction of the library of Alexandria to that of Pergamum;

5) the transmission through parchment and paper manuscripts of the legend of Alexander: the Greek Alexander Romance, its transformations and its reception in Europe;

6) the re-appropriation of the story and the myth of Alexander in contemporary media, in the Western and Eastern world: books, films, TV series, video games, anime and manga.

Readings/Bibliography

The complete reading of the following text is required: L.D. Reynolds-N.G. Wilson, Copyists and Philologists. The tradition of the classics from antiquity to modern times, Roma-Padova 20164 (Padova 19691; ed. or. Copyists and philologists: the tradition of the classics from antiquity to modern times, Oxford 1968).

The study of parts of the following texts is also required: O. Montanari, La Papirologia, Milano 1998² (Milano 1973¹); L. Perria, Graphis. Per una storia della scrittura greca libraria (secoli IV a.C. - XVI d.C.), Città del Vaticano 2011; E.G. Turner, I libri nell'Atene del V e IV secolo a.C., in G. Cavallo (a c. di), Libri, editori e pubblico nel mondo antico. Guida storica e critica, Roma-Bari 1989, pp. 3-24; M.L. Agati, Il libro manoscritto, Roma 2003; C. Jouanno, Naissance et métamorphoses du Roman d'Alexandre: Domaine grec, Paris 2002; K.R. Moore (ed.), Brill's Companion to the Reception of Alexander the Great, Leiden-Boston 2018; R. Stoneman, The Legends of Alexander the Great, London 2012.

NB: The parts of these texts to be studied will be indicated in class.

Non-attending students are also required to read W.J. Ong, Orality and writing. The technologies of the word, trans. it. Bologna: The Mill, rest. 2014 (1982, 2nd ed. New York 2002).

Teaching methods

The lessons will be held in an experimental form, alternating the reading and discussion of ancient texts with the presentation of a different documentation ranging from iconography to codicology and other ancient and modern forms with which the myth and the image of Alexander were built and spread.

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral interview, in which the teacher, through a series of questions, will ascertain the theoretical knowledge and the theoretical-practical methodologies presented in class. The reworking of the material which the student is able to propose in a critical way will be appreciated. The metrics are as follows:

excellent theoretical knowledge and ability to interpret and reflect: 30L;

excellent: 28-30;

good: 25-27;

fair: 10-12;

sufficient: 18-21.

Teaching tools

Texts, powerpoints, photocopies and e-learning material; for part 6) clips of the media in question will also be shown.

Office hours

See the website of Caterina Franchi