90100 - Greek Language and Literature in the Byzantine Age

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing students with basic linguistic and philological notions, familiarity with fundamental reference tools, and the method to deal with the reading of Greek writings of the 4th-15th centuries. At the end of the course, students will be familiar with the role played by Byzantium in the history of European culture, the main Byzantine texts that have shaped the civilisation of the Orthodox Christian East and will be aware of the reciprocal literary influences that characterised Byzantine, Arabic, Latin and Slavic civilisations in the Middle Ages. They will also be able to read and understand literary, epigraphic and documentary texts in their original language with the help of modern lexicons and translations.

Course contents

The course will be divided into two modules of 30 hrs. each: A) introductory part (Margherita Pomero); B) monographic part (Salvatore Cosentino)

 

Teaching module A) introductory part (Margherita Pomero)

Introduction to Byzantine Literature

The general part will consist of an introduction to the most representative authors, works and trends in Byzantine literature from the 4th to the 15th century. In particular, in view of the specific interests of the degree programme, the lecturer will focus on literary texts related to the description of places, buildings or works of art linked to the capital of the empire, Constantinople. The proposed sylloge of texts will include Malalas, Procopius, Paulus Silentiarius, George of Pisidia, Photius, Constantine Rhodius, Constantine Porphyrogenitus, Psellus, Niketas Choniates, George Pachymeres.

 

Teaching module B) Monographic part (Salvatore Cosentino)

The Anekdota of Procopius of Caesarea: political dissent and gossip in the chambers of power

The 'Secret Histories' of Procopius of Caesarea are perhaps the best-known work of all Byzantine literature. The reasons for such success are manifold, but they are mainly based on the merciless (sometimes licentious) portrait of Empress Theodora and her husband, Justinian, drawn by Procopius. Precisely by virtue of these 'transgressive' contents, compared to the rest of Procopius' production, this pamphlet met with considerable success with posterity. After a presentation of the current historiography on Procopius, the course will read and comment on excerpts from the 'Anekdota' in relation to the most salient themes of political dissent and its expressions in the Justinian era.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Teaching module A) Introductory part (Margherita Pomero)

Required reading:

―A. Kambylis, Compendio della letteratura bizantina, in H.-G. Nesselrath, Introduzione alla filologia greca, trad. it., Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2004, pp. 446-478.

― Andreas Rhoby, La letteratura bizantina. Un profilo storico, trad. it. Roma 2022.

 

Teaching module B) Monographic part (Salvatore Cosentino)

Required readings:

The Anekdota will be read in the following Italian version, with Greek text facing it: Procopio, Storie segrete, edited by Fabrizio Conca, Italian version by Paolo Cesaretti, Milan 1996 (BUR Classici Greci e Latini)

― Hans-Georg Beck, Lo storico e la sua vittima. Teodora e Procopio, trad. it. Roma-Bari 1988 (ed. orig. München1986)

― Paolo Cesaretti, Teodora, ascesa di una imperatrice, Milano 2001.

Additionally, students are required to read, on your choise, one of the following two essays:

― Johann Martin Thesz, The Pathology of the Roman Empire: Social Transformation and Moral Degeneration in Procopius’ Secret History, in G. Greatrex, S. Janniard (éds.), Le monde de Procope / The World of Procopius, Paris 2018, pp. 77-94.

― R. Pfeilschifter, The Secret History, in M. Meier, F. Montinaro (eds.), A Companion to Procopius of Caesarea (Brill’s Companions to the Byzantine World, 11), Leiden 2021, pp. 121-136.

 

Non-attending students are requested to contact the course lecturer for the syllabus and bibliography.

 

Teaching methods

The first module  is organised as a series of introductory lectures on Byzantine literature, complemented by in-depth studies or focuses on various authors, which will be read in Italian translation and commented on, with the support (when possible) of visual sources. The second module will have more of a seminar format; in addition to analysing content, it aims to convey a method for organising research in the field of late antique and Byzantine literature (specialised vocabulary, bibliographical research and OPACs, i.e. 'online public access calalogues', dictionaries, and the re-actualisation of antiquity in the contemporary world). Since the common thread of teaching in both modules will be the same literary texts, attendance at the course is highly recommended.

 

P.S. Foreign students wishing to take the course must have a knowledge of Italian of at least level B2.

Assessment methods

Passing the examination requires an oral examination.

 

It consists of an assessment of the notions and concepts learned relating to module A) and module B) of the course.

 

The final mark for the examination is determined by the following scores: 15/30 for module A) 15/30 for module B).

 

The notions learnt, the ability to express in appropriate language the description of facts, situations or concepts, as well as the ability to critically rework information received in the course will be considered important for assessment.

 

The final assessment will be based on the following indications:

― insufficient grade: lack of basic knowledge and inability to critically discuss texts or concepts.

― grade sufficient: possession of basic knowledge but limited ability to critically discuss texts or concepts.

― good grade: possession of intermediate level knowledge and ability to critically discuss texts or concepts.

― grade excellent: thorough possession of knowledge at a high level, ability to critically discuss texts or concepts and excellent quality of oral presentation.

 

Teaching tools

― Translations of sources.

― Power-point presentations.

― Introduction to using bibliographical resources (i.e. how to find a publication)

― Introduction to analysing a publication (i.e. how to read it critically)

Office hours

See the website of Salvatore Cosentino

See the website of Margherita Elena Pomero

See the website of Margherita Elena Pomero