Description
Gallus et Hesperiis et Gallus notus Eois, / et sua cum Gallo nota Lycoris erit (Ovid, Am. 1.15.29-30). Ovid’s words leave no doubt about the esteem in which Cornelius Gallus the poet was held by subsequent generations. And the publication of five monographs and scores of articles about him during the last half-century would seem to confirm his literary stature. Yet only ten lines of his poetry survive. Or so do most modern scholars suppose. Others claim to be able to uncover more, from a variety of sources. The seminar will re-examine the existing theories about the content and nature of Gallus’ poetry and will consider whether any new hypotheses can be formulated.
Teaching method
seminar
Admission requirements
This course is open to (research)master students in Classics.
Course objectives
Knowledge:
Broadening of the range of Latin poetry studied in the Bachelor’s programme. Increasingly nuanced awareness of the intertextual ‘dialogue’ at work in neoteric and Augustan poetic genres. Familiarity with varied and academically demanding secondary literature. Awareness of the latest research in the field.
Skills:
‘Close-reading’ of a range of Latin texts. Formulation of a substantially original and challenging question or hypothesis relating to some problematic aspect of the topic. Oral presentation of a preliminary argument/analysis. Written presentation of a sustained and fully worked-out argument/analysis in a professional and scholarly manner. Working to deadlines and within word-limits, and (where appropriate) in a group or partnership. Practice in both oral and written presentation in English.
Contextualisation and insight:
Reflection on: the problems and methods of dealing with ‘lost’ sources.
Course load
10 ects (can also be taken for 5 ects)
Required reading
Central texts to be read in Latin (students should make their own copies of the Latin texts; the commentaries will be available for consultation in the Classics Reading Room of the University Library):
C. Cornelius Gallus, texts and commentary in: A.S. Hollis (ed.) Fragments of Roman Poetry c.60 BC – AD 20 (Oxford, 2007), pp. 218-52.
Virgil, Eclogues 1, 5 6 and 10 (commentaries by W.V. Clausen, Oxford 1994, R.G.C. Coleman, Cambridge 1997).
Virgil, Georgics IV (commentary by R.F. Thomas, Cambridge 1988).
Propertius I.1, 4, 5 ,10, 13, 20, 21, 22; II.10, 13, 34 (commentaries on Book I by R.J. Baker (Warminster 2000, P. Fedeli, Florence 1980, W.A. Camps, Cambridge, 1961; on Book II by W.A. Camps, Cambridge 1967, P. Fedeli, Cairns Publications, Cambridge, 2005).
Essential secondary literature:
R.D. Anderson, P.J. Parsons and R.G.M. Nisbet, ‘Elegiacs by Gallus from Qasr Ibrîm’, Journal of Roman Studies 69 (1979), 125-55.
F. Cairns, Sextus Propertius. The Augustan Elegist (Cambridge, 2006) [in fact mainly about Cornelius Gallus]
D.O. Ross Jnr., Backgrounds to Augustan Poetry: Gallus, Elegy and Rome (Cambridge, 1975).
Test method
Oral presentation (in English) 20%; active participation in class discussion (in English) 10%; written paper (in English) 70%
Time table
Information
j.booth@hum.leidenuniv.nl
Registration
Blackboard
Will be used for basis course information and announcements; use of the discussion board will be considered, according to convenience and need.
Remarks
n.a.