ANCIENT GREEK LANGUAGE IV

The history of the Ancient Greek Literature from Homer to the beginning of the Roman era is taught at this course. Parallel to the analysis regarding the literary genres and writers, several chapters from the works of the most important authors are analysed linguistically. The phases of the Greek language are examined as well, especially its three major dialects. Furthermore, the course’s instruction is based on presentations given by the students on certain literary genres and their representatives.

The course aims at piquing the students’ interest towards the ancient Greek literature, 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 literature.
• Know the history of the Greek literature from Homer to the Roman era.
• Locate the characteristics of various literary genres.
• Produce scientific essays regarding the ancient Greek literature.

Week 1: Recapitulation regarding the basics of ancient Greek literature and further acquaintance with the students.

Week 2: Introduction to the ancient Greek language and text tradition.

Week 3: Biography of Homer and primary characteristics of his works (text analysis).

Week 4: Analysis of the dialects of the ancient Greek language, presentations by the students regarding Homer.

Week 5: Biography of Hesiod and primary characteristics of his works (text analysis).

Week 6: Primary characteristics of the lyric poetry and examples of genres and representatives (text analysis).

Week 7: Presentations by the students regarding lyric poetry.

Week 8: Introduction to Drama. The three tragic poets and Aristophanes.

Week 9: Primary characteristics of the dramatic poetry and examples of genres and representatives (text analysis).

Week 10: Presentations by the students regarding dramatic poetry.

Week 11: Primary characteristics of historiography, rhetoric, philosophy and examples of genres and representatives (text analysis).

Week 12: Menander’s New Comedy.

Week 13: Presentations by the students regarding historiography, rhetoric, philosophy and the New Comedy – Preparation for the exams.

A. Lesky, Ιστορία της Αρχαίας Ελληνικής Λογοτεχνίας. P. Easterling και B. Knox, Ιστορία της Αρχαίας Ελληνικής Λογοτεχνίας. J. De Romilly, Αρχαία Ελληνική Γραμματολογία. S. Maid, M. Trede και A. Le Boulluec, Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Λογοτεχνίας (Τόμος Α΄). K. Dover and others, Ancient Greek Literature. Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Γλώσσας, από τις αρχές ως την Ύστερη Αρχαιότητα (εκδ. του Κέντρου Ελληνικής Γλώσσας/ επιστημ. Επιμέλεια Α.,-Φ. Χρηστίδης).

Educational and learning methods:

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

Written and oral exams