ANALYSIS OF LATIN TEXTS

The course is part of the curriculum for the Master’s degree in Classics and the Master’s degree in Philology, Linguistics, and Italian Literature.
This course aims to enhance, through a specialized approach, the knowledge of literary Latin, its authors and works, and their current critical issues. At the same time, it contributes to enriching and refining the understanding of Western cultural history and literary traditions, as well as familiarizing students with the methods and tools of historiography and literary philology, including their respective specialized languages. The exam also contributes 6 CFU towards the L-FIL-LET/04 (now LATI-01/A) 24 CFUs, which, according to current legislation, are necessary for access to teaching positions in secondary schools (see below, Additional Information).

The outcome of this course is a detailed knowledge of a selection of original-language texts and the historical and interpretative issues connected to them within the framework of contemporary scholarly debate. This entails the ability to read, understand, translate into Italian, and comment on the texts covered in the course from a historical-literary and stylistic perspective. Students will also be expected to argue independently about these texts based on their own analysis and the supporting bibliography, as well as to contextualize the phenomena under investigation within the broader framework of the cultural and literary tradition of classical antiquity and its subsequent developments.
The student should be able to apply the same approach, using the methods and analytical techniques learned throughout the course, to a further set of texts not covered by the instructor but entrusted to their independent and personal reading. In this sense, the course is designed to be professionalizing, particularly with regard to potential future teaching or cultural communication activities.
Having already acquired at least intermediate-level language skills, the student should further develop fluency in literary Latin, expanding their linguistic knowledge and refining their translation skills from Latin to Italian. At the same time, the study of the bibliography will help enhance their understanding of the categories, concepts, and critical vocabulary specific to philological and historical-literary research in the Latin and broader humanistic fields, while also improving their ability to present and argue topics and issues related to literary history.

As previously specified, the Analisi dei Testi Latini examination contributes to the acquisition of the qualifying CFUs necessary for access to teaching positions in secondary schools. Consequently, it requires at least intermediate-level Latin language competence. ALL students wishing to take the examination, regardless of their previous academic background, must certify their linguistic proficiency in one of the following ways:

1) For students enrolled from the 2025–2026 academic year onwards:
Access to the examination is contingent upon passing the LATIN TEST (MASTER’S LEVEL). To register for this test, students should consult the list associated with the Metrica e Traduzione course.
In the event of failure, students are strongly encouraged to address any gaps in their knowledge by attending the Metrica e Traduzione course and subsequently re-taking the test. The test result (graded on a 30-point scale) will contribute to the evaluation of the first Latin Master’s examination taken and passed, as specified in the syllabus for each course.

2) For students enrolled up to the 2024–2025 academic year:
Access to the examination is conditional on passing the LATIN TEST 2, which will be administered for the final time in the January 2027 session. After this date, all students wishing to take the Latin Master’s examinations will be required to take the test and related exams according to the procedures outlined on the Metrica e Traduzione course page and the pages for the Master's level courses.

The tests may be taken on several dates throughout the academic year (further information is available on the Metrica e Traduzione course page). However, it is strongly recommended that students take the test in the earliest available session. The Metrica e Traduzione course, scheduled for the first semester, replaces the previous Laboratorio di Latino 2, even for students who are unable to pass the Latin Test 2 and require additional support. Students with no prior knowledge of Latin who wish to take the Latin Master’s examinations are encouraged to attend the Latin Language Basics course taught by Professor Cioffi in the second semester, and only later to proceed to the Metrica e Traduzione course.

​Fabulosum Greciae commentum. Myths and Mythographers of (Late) Antiquity
This course explores some of the most influential myths transmitted through Latin literature, tracing their development and transformation across time. Particular attention will be given to the ways in which these narratives were interpreted and reinterpreted in different historical and cultural contexts. Through selected case studies—such as the stories of Apollo and Daphne, Jupiter and Europa, Perseus and Medusa, and Cupid and Psyche—students will examine the versions of these myths preserved by Latin authors, as well as the literary, ideological, and cultural frameworks that shaped their transmission. Special emphasis will be placed on Late Antiquity, a period of profound transition during which so-called “pagan” literary traditions were reworked and adapted to new intellectual, political, and religious realities. By analyzing these processes of adaptation and reinterpretation, the course aims to highlight the continuity and transformation of classical mythology within a changing cultural landscape.

- Selection of Latin readings: an anthology in PDF format will be provided via Moodle during the course. It will include selected passages from Vergil, Ovid, Hyginus, Apuleius, Ausonius, Servius, Fulgentius, the so-called Vatican Mythographers;
- Three essays related to the themes addressed in the course, chosen from a list provided by the teacher. These essays may be in Italian or other languages.​
- Personal readings in original language (Latin):
- Virgil, "Aeneid": one book of student's choice, excluding Books IV and VI. The edition edited by A. Fo, published by Einaudi in 2012, is recommended and available at the BAUM library under the call number 873.01 VERGP AEN.
- Ovid, "Metamorphoses" book 1 (ed. A. Barchiesi, Milano, Lorenzo Valla, 2019 (2005)).

Individual oral examination in three parts:
1. Translation and contextualization of two passages selected by the teacher from the texts assigned for independent reading in the original language.
2. A brief presentation on a myth discussed by the teacher, based on one of the Latin texts analyzed, including translation, contextualization, and commentary, followed by a broader discussion about other texts and critical readings.
3. Translation, contextualization, and commentary on one passage selected by the teacher from those covered in class.
Students are expected to demonstrate clear argumentation, independent critical judgment, and appropriate scholarly language, drawing on the assigned critical readings.

oral

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

If Analisi dei testi latini SP is the student’s first Master’s-level exam, the final grade will also take into account the result of the Latin Test (Master’s level), expressed out of 30, which must be passed prior to the exam. This will not be calculated as a strict average, but will serve as an indicative grading band.
The oral examination is assessed as follows:
Part 1 (independent readings):
18–22 (satisfactory): basic identification of morpho-syntactic structures, with some guidance, and general understanding of the text.
23–26 (good): autonomous analysis and generally accurate translation.
27–30 (very good): accurate translation with informed and developed commentary.
30 with distinction: accurate translation, rich commentary, and original critical engagement with the literary text.
Failure to reach a satisfactory level in Part 1 will result in failure of the exam.
Part 2 (presentation and discussion):
Assessed according to the same scale as Part 1, with additional consideration given to clarity, organization, and effectiveness of presentation.
Part 3 (text):
Assessed according to the same scale as Part 1, with additional evaluation of the student’s ability to comment on the text in light of course content and the assigned bibliography.

Teaching will follow a traditional format, centered on the reading, translation, and linguistic, stylistic, and historical-literary commentary of the selected texts. The course will also address key critical issues and introduce the main, up-to-date tools of analysis, including digital resources such as online archives and databases.
The Moodle platform (with its extensions) will serve as the primary support for course materials. Whenever possible, guest lectures and meetings with external scholars will be provided.

For further information, see https://www.unive.it/pag/26427/ .