B004088 - ANCIENT CHRISTIAN LITERATURE

Italian; greek and latin for ancient texts; german, english, french, spanish for critical bibliography.

Greek and Latin texts will be read in literary-historical, philosophical- theological perspective, according to critical scientific editions. Students are called to evaluate manuscripts, "stegmata", constitution of an "apparatus criticus", use of rhetoric. They must also be able to use works of modern scholars in a critical way.

Texts of the Old and New Testaments. Works of Ecclesiastical writers and of the Fathers of the Church from the Ist to the Vth century d.C.

At the end of the course students are supposed to be able to read, to translate, to contextualize in historical perspective texts belonging to Greek and Latin Christian tradition. They are also supposed to use correct methodology in order to give a scientific commentary.

Good Knowledge of ancient history, of greek and latin languages. A slight knowledge of Biblical Hebrew is appreciated.

Lecture with active partecipation of the students. Ancient texts will be object of discussion.

Texts obiects of study will be distributed by the teacher.

Students are requested to take active part into explanations, answering questions and translating. Final oral examination.

Satan, the Tempter, the enemy.
A contribution to the history of the devil.

1. The snake, the "satan". The devil according to Septuaginta.
Passages from Genesis and from the prologue to the Book of Job.

2. New Testament. The devil according to Synoptic Gospels and to John.
A selection of texts.

3. The reflection on the devil. Mythology as diabolic adulteration of revealed thruth according to Justin.
Selected texts from "Apology" and from "Dialogue with Tryphon".

4. Origen and Christian demonology.
Selected pages.

5. The Tempter and the monk. The role of the devil in "Vita Antonii" by Athanasius.

6. The Tempter and the saint. The role of the devil in the "Vita Martini" by Sulpicius Severus.