13473 - Antique Christian Literature (1)

Learning outcomes

A comprehensive view of the historical development of early Christian literature and its relations with the biblical and Jewish heritage as well as with the classical literatures. A critical awareness of the different aspects of the discipline through the reading and interpretation of texts.

Course contents

A) Monographic course, 1st Part (30 hours, 5 credits): «The interpretation of the Our Father in ancient Christianity (2nd-5th century): 1) from Tertullian to Origen».

B) Monographic course (30 hours, 5 credits): «The interpretation of the Our Father in ancient Christianity (2nd-5th century): 2) from Origen to Augustine».

As stated by Tertullian, the Lord's Prayer is the ‘compendium of the Gospel'. This approach was shared by several Christian authors who likewise made the ‘Our Father' the object of their reflections. The course will provide an introduction to the most important witnesses between the 2nd and the 5th century (Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian of Carthage, Evagrius Ponticus, Gregory of Nyssa, and Augustine). 

Readings/Bibliography

Didachè. Insegnamento degli apostoli, a cura di G. Visonà, Edizioni Paoline, Milano 2000. 

Tertulliano, Cipriano, Agostino, Il Padre nostro, a cura di V. Grossi, Borla Editrice, Roma 1983.

Origene, La Preghiera, a cura di N. Antoniono (Collana di testi patristici, 117), Città Nuova Editrice, Roma 1997.

Evagrio Pontico, La preghiera, a cura di V. Messana (Collana di testi patristici, 117), Città Nuova Editrice, Roma 1994.

Gregorio di Nissa, La preghiera del Signore, Edizioni Paoline, Roma 1983.

M. Philonenko, Il Padre nostro. Dalla preghiera di Gesù alla preghiera dei discepoli, Einaudi, Torino 2003.

Teaching methods

Lessons; seminar's meetings; practical training (specialized libraries).

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

First Part:

1) Recommended handbook: M. SIMONETTI – E. PRINZIVALLI, Letteratura Cristiana Antica, Piemme, Casale Monferrato 2003 (excluding the anthology).

2) Reading of one of the main sources of reference (Didachè, Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian).

3) Reading of a monograph or a choice of articles, selected from the general bibliography which will be distributed at the beginning of the course.

Second Part:

1) Reading of one of the main sources of reference (Evagrius Ponticus, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine).

2) A specialized monograph or a choice of articles selected from the general bibliography which will distributed at the beginning of the course.
3) Recommended handbook: M. SIMONETTI – E. PRINZIVALLI, Letteratura Cristiana Antica , Piemme, Casale Monferrato 2003 (with exclusion of the anthology).
Students of classics are requested to read the text in the original language. It is possible to adopt a different program for the students who cannot frequent the course.

 

 

Office hours

See the website of Lorenzo Perrone