The lectures aim to give a basic knowledge of classical mythology, focusing on its imagery in ancient art. In that sense, learning classical mythology has to be regarded as strictly functional for the exegesis of Greek, Etruscan and Roman images, with special reference to Athenian vase-painting, which displays a lot of interesting examples. Having available such a key, however, will be relevant also for studies of medieval, modern and even contemporary art, every time when art renews some iconographic motif of classical origin.
Course Prerequisites
No special cultural background is requested, except for some quite general knowledge of plot and characters of the famous Homeric epics (Iliad and Odyssey).
Teaching Methods
Lectures, with commentaries to PowerPoint presentations. Two or three classes will be devoted to practical interactive exercises on reading mythological images. Moreover, the teacher will recommend lectures and seminars by guest scholars dealing with relevant topics; these classes can give up to 2 credits, on condition that they are subject of discussion during the final examination.
Assessment Methods
Oral test, based on the ability, too, to analyze and explain mythological pictures at first sight, without the help of captions. Students coming from foreign countries are also allowed to answer in French, English or German language.
Texts
All students must read three basic handbooks: F. Graf, Greek Mythology. An Introduction, Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992; K. Kérényi, The Gods of the Greeks, London, Th.-Hudson, 1980; K. Kérényi, The Heroes of the Greeks, London, Th.-Hudson, 1997.
Contents
The lectures will focus some essential theoretic and methodological aspects, within the historic development of classical studies: what is a myth - which are the functions of a myth - the relationship between text and narrative imagery - reading images: iconography and iconology.
Course Language
Italian
More information
One additional reading for non-attending students, to be chosen among the following volumes: W. Burkert, Structure and History in Greek Mythology and Ritual, University of California Press, 1979; J.-P. Vernant, Mythe et pensée chez les Grecs. Études de psychologie historique, Paris, La Découverte, rist. 1990 [also in English translation, Princeton, reprint 2006]; Th.H. Carpenter, Art and Myth in Ancient Greece: a Handbook, London, Th.-Hudson, 1991 [also in French translation, Paris 1997]; M. Detienne, L’invention de la mythologie, Paris, Gallimard, reprint 1992; A.M. Snodgrass, Homer and the Artists: Text and Picture in Early Greek Art, Cambridge University Press, 1998; S. Woodford, Images of Myths in Classical Antiquity, Cambridge University Press, 2003; E. Csapo, Theories of Mythology, Oxford, Blackwell, 2005; A. Steiner, Reading Greek Vases, Cambridge University Press, 2007.
