The course intends to offer a base knowledg about the graphical historical processes characterizing Latin West, in connection with changing in forms, social functions, typologies of books and documents production between late ancient and middle ages; moreover, will be offered some methological starting points for the critical exame of manuscripts (transcription, description, dating etc).
Course Prerequisites
An adequate knowledge of latin, ancient and medieval history is required
Teaching Methods
Lectures and exercises
Assessment Methods
The previewed knowledge and skills will be tested through an oral examination: with the help of pictures of manuscript, will be verified the skills in interpreting palaeographic facts, and in explaining with clearness and adeguate terminology the knowledge learned.
Texts
1) A. Petrucci, Breve storia della scrittura latina, Roma 1989 or alternatively G. Cencetti, Lineamenti di storia della scrittura latina, Bologna 1997. 2) A. Petrucci, Prima lezione di paleografia, Bari 2002 or alternatively M. Maniaci, Breve storia del libro manoscritto, Roma 2019.
Students following the 'Classics' curriculum, in addition to one of the manuals indicated in point 1 and in place of the texts indicated in point 2, have to read L. Schiaparelli, The Latin writing in the Roman age, Com 1921 (indications about finding the text on the course page).
Not regular attenders must prepare the exam on two texts chosen from those indicated in points 2 and 3.
Contents
The course aims to analyze history, changes and consolidation of graphic systems from the ancient to the late medieval ages, with particular regard for the traditional topics (from capital to small letters; the origins of 'minuscola carolina'; the coming of 'littera textualis'), that stimulated debates and controversies among the scholars between 19th and 20th Centuries. The lectures will be supplemented by exercises (18 hours ) of reading, transcription, commentary of manuscripts.
Course Language
Italian
More information
The course website - with links to resources and materials - is at the following address: storiadellascrittura.blogspot.it
