Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to perform a grammatical analysis, translate, and comment on texts of intermediate difficulty. They will also be able to explain the texts' historical and cultural context.

Goals

To strengthen students’ knowledge of the Greek language, develop their skills in grammatical and textual analysis and translation, and introduce them to the seminal works of Greek literature.

Content

This course consists of:

  1. The translation of selected passages from one or more Greek authors;

  2. The explanation of grammatical points (morphology and syntax);

  3. A general commentary on the work studied (context and themes), a thematic commentary related to the selection of passages, and a detailed line-by-line commentary of the text.

Table of contents

Course content:

  • General introduction

  • X translated and annotated extracts

  • General conclusion

In 2026–27, the selected extracts will be drawn from Homer’s Odyssey.

Teaching methods

The translation prepared by the students using resources provided by the instructor is reviewed and refined during class and serves as the basis for commentary and discussion. Where necessary, students’ grammatical knowledge will be reinforced through targeted revision sessions.

The commentary and cultural analysis of the texts is further enriched by students’ individual contributions, in the form of a short research presentation or a personal reflection delivered during class.

Assessment method

Oral examination covering the texts studied during the course: retranslation of a selected passage; grammatical analysis of a number of words; and the development of a commentary (contextualization of the passage or its relation to other texts; detailed explanation of relevant realia).

Sources, references and any support material

Sources

  • Primary texts based on standard scholarly editions (especially the CUF editions).

  • Secondary literature relating to the author studied.

  • General works on Greek authors:

    • Jacqueline de Romilly, Précis de littérature grecque, Paris, PUF (Quadrige).

    • Suzanne Saïd, Monique Trédé and Alain Le Boulluec, Histoire de la littérature grecque, Paris, PUF (Quadrige).

    • Gregory Nagy (ed.), Greek Literature, 9 vols., New York, Routledge, 2001.

  • Reference grammar for the course:

    • D. Planque, Grammaire grecque, 8th ed., Namur, 1977.

Teaching Materials

(all prepared and provided by the instructor)

Selected text passages accompanied by grammatical and lexical notes designed to facilitate students' preparation of the translation.

Language of instruction

French