ANCIENT GREEK LANGUAGE II

The course offers teaching of Lysias’ text Κατά Νικομάχου (grammatical, syntactical and vocabular analysis, translation, factual and rhetorical commentary). Beginning from a short introduction to 5^th century B.C. rhetoric and Lysias’ integration into the tradition of orators in his age, the text at hand is examined from a linguistic point of view, an attempt towards its rhetorical analysis is made and the ideas that shaped the aforementioned period are mentioned. Furthermore, the practices of the Athenian courts of law are analysed (particularly the legal procedures of εισαγγελεία and εύθυνα).

The course aims at piquing the students’ interest towards the ancient Greek language and rhetoric, provide them with basic knowledge regarding those subjects, sharpen their critical thinking and provide them with the necessary tools to help them in their academic course.

After the students have successfully completed the course, they will be able to:

• Have the ability to converse regarding subjects about ancient Greek language and rhetoric.
• Understand and produce historical comments on texts written in ancient Greek.
• Be familiar with the early days of rhetoric.
• Locate and comment on the primary causes of events, using their critical thinking.

Week 1: Recapitulation regarding the basics of ancient Greek language and literature.

Week 2: Introduction to ancient Greek rhetoric, biography of Lysias.

Week 3: Analysis of historical context on Lysias’ work. Athens in the years following the Peloponnesian War.

Week 4: Translation and historical analysis of the first chapters in Lysias’ speech.

Week 5: Analysis of unknown text with emphasis on grammar and syntax exercises.

Week 6: Translation and historical analysis of the following chapters in Lysias’ speech.

Week 7: Analysis of unknown text with emphasis on grammar and syntax exercises.

Week 8: Analysis of the infrastructure and functions of the Athenian courts of law.

Week 9: The legal procedures of εισαγγελεία and εύθυνα.

Week 10: Translation and historical analysis of the following chapters in Lysias’ speech.

Week 11: Analysis of unknown text with emphasis on grammar and syntax exercises.

Week 12: Translation and historical analysis of the following chapters in Lysias’ speech.

Week 13: Recapitulation and preparation for the exams.

Carey, Lysias, Selected Speeches. M Edwards και S. Usher, Antiphon and Lysias. Α. Ζάκας, Λυσίου Λόγοι. Ε. Βολονάκη, Λυσίου Λόγοι, Κατά Αγοράτου (13) και Κατά Νικομάχου (30): κείμενο, εισαγωγή, μετάφραση, ερμην. υπόμνημα.

• Lectures
• Questions towards students
• Studying of texts in groups
• Conversation between students and teaching staff

Written and oral exams