LFU:online

On successful completion of this course, students will have read a number of Theocritus’ Idylls in depth and will have developed their knowledge of the author’s Doric dialect as well as of the text’s place at the head of the bucolic tradition.

Theocritus’ Idylls are best known for their position at the start of the bucolic tradition of poetry which was later developed most famously by Vergil in his Eclogues. Writing in the context of Hellenistic Alexandria, Theocritus composed his collection of around 30 poems in a literary version of his native Doric dialect. In this course, we will take a close look at the characteristics of Theocritus’ language in the wider context of the ancient Greek dialects, as well as at the author’s creation of the bucolic mode which was to gain a great deal of popularity in the European literary tradition.

Individual and in-class reading of primary texts (in the original language), class discussion and lectures. 

The final grade will be based on a mid-term exam (30%) and a final exam (50%) involving translation and textual commentary in English or German as desired. Attendance and participation in class discussion will account for the final 20% of the grade.

will be discussed in the first session.