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Latin Narrative Texts

Code: 104197
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Ancient Studies FB 1
English and Classics Studies FB 1

Contact lecturer

Name :
Sebastià Giralt Soler
Email :
sebastia.giralt@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Gemma Puigvert Planaguma

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites

This subject IS NOT an introduction to the Latin language, but is intended for students who have studied Latin in high school or who have an equivalent knowledge. In addition, the students must have well assimilated the basic contents of nominal and verbal morphosyntax, syntax of the cases and of the sentence and lexicon, which are part of the program of the subject Elements of Latin of the first semester. The student who has difficulty reaching such level could ask the teachers for support materials and help in tutoring sessions, but will have the responsibility to strive to get there.

Language

The student must have the willingness to follow classes taught in Catalan and use written material in that language (without excluding others), but they can use in their work or their participation Spanish (or another similar language if the teacher agrees).

Objectives

This subject is the logical continuation of the subject "Elements of the Latin Language" that most of the students have taken in the first semester of the first year. After having consolidated the basic grammatical and lexical knowledge in the aforementioned subject, Narratius Texts proposes to continue, on the one hand, with the study of progressively more sophisticated elements of Latin grammar (always from their occurrence in the texts); and, on the other, with the practice of comprehensive reading, commentary and, where appropriate, translation of basically narrative Latin texts.

At the end of the semester, the student should be able to:

  • Know the context, the argument and the characters of Petronio's Satiricon.
  • Apply the techniques that allow the rapid understanding of the Latin text.
  • Understand a text in prose or narrative verse of approximately 15 lines in 1:30, with the help of the dictionary, and answer questions about its content. Eventually, translate all or part of it.
  • Understand the meaning of a Latin text of medium-low difficulty without the help of the dictionary.
  • Explain some grammatical elements of a text in prose or verse based on questions proposed by the teacher.

Learning outcomes

  1. Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network.
  2. Preparing an oral and written discourse in the corresponding language in a proper and organized way.
  3. Explain the context of the literary works whose characters, topics and clichés were passed down to the following tradition.
  4. Extract information from the Greek and Latin texts on aspects of realia especially related to their historical and cultural context.
  5. Translate fragments of the Latin works proposed.
  6. Explain the gist of a text without any need for a prior morpho-syntactic analysis or the use of a dictionary.
  7. Write a morpho-syntactic commentary on a Latin text.
  8. Apply the techniques that help towards a rapid overall understanding of Greek and Latin texts.
  9. Analyse the morpho-syntactic components of a Greek and Latin text, identifying those that are internal to the narrative genre.
  10. Autonomously searching, selecting and processing information both from structured sources (databases, bibliographies, specialized magazines) and from across the network.
  11. Translate fragments of the proposed Latin works.
  12. Explain the context of the literary works whose characters, topics and clichés were passed down to the following tradition.

Contents

I. TEXTS


Prose. Selection of texts by Petronius and other authors (if necessary slightly adapted).


Poetry. Selection of epigrams of Martial.


II. GRAMMAR


Nominal morphology.


  • Interrogative pronouns.
  • Numerals (cardinal, ordinal, multiplicative and distributive).


Verbal morphology.


  • Indicative future.
  • Defective and irregular verbs (uolo, nolo, bad, fio, eo)
  • Compound verbs of sum.
  • Present imperative


Deepening into the syntax of the cases.


  • accusative of extension
  • double accusative
  • dative possessive


Syntax of the simple sentence.


  • Use of the subjunctive in an independent sentence.
  • Direct questions.


Complex sentence syntax.


  • The conjunction ut in substantive and adverbial sentences.
  • Relatives in subjunctive
  • Noun subordinates with quod.



III. THE SATIRICON BY PETRONIUS


Reading of the Satiricon by Petronius.

Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Morphosynctactic activities 20 0.8 1, 7, 9
Translation and philological commentary of prose and verse texts 45 1.8 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
Reading of Petronius' Satyricon 15 0.6 3, 10, 12
Classroom activities 10 0.4 7, 9, 11
Personal work on the texts 50 2 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11
Self-study 10 0.4 1, 3

Teaching activities will be eminently practical. The teacher and students will spend time on:

  • Produce and listen to Latin paraphrases of the proposed texts.
  • Read, understand, comment and, eventually, translate the proposed selection of texts.
  • Acquire the mechanisms that allow to progressively increase the volume and difficulty of the studied text.
  • Read and understand texts by sight.
  • Correct the texts worked individually by the students.
  • Comment on the linguistic content of the texts seen.
  • Explain grammatical content.
  • Work the lexicon of the texts to help the student to acquire it.
  • Explain literary, cultural, historical or social content that helps contextualize the text.
  • Correct and comment on the morphosyntax and lexical activities assigned.

 

The student must be responsible for keeping up to date the proposed text for comprehensive reading, the morphosyntactic and lexical activities and the reading work.

Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Classroom or online activities 20 0 0 1, 7, 9, 10
Control of the reading of Petronius' Satyricon 10 0 0 3, 12
Second comprehension vocabulary and grammar test 40 0 0 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
Attendance and articipation in teaching activities 10 0 0 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11
First comprehension, vocabulary and grammar test 20 0 0 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11

The evaluation of the student will be based on the collection of the following evidence:

  • Resolution of classroom or virtual morphosyntax and lexic activities to demonstrate that they understand and know how to apply the contents explained in the classes. 20%
  • Reading control of the Satyrica by Petronius. 10%
  • Assistance and active participation in teaching activities. 10%
  • Two text comprehension tests (with grammar and vocabulary questions) (20% and 40%, respectively, of the final grade). In total the texts will add between 10 and 15 lines/verses.

Arriving late for an exam may result in losing the option to take it.


Erasmus and exchange students who request to advance an exam must present a document from their home university justifying their request.


The student will receive a grade of Not assessable provided that they have not submitted more than 30% of the assessment activities.


To be in a position to pass the subject, the student, at a minimum, must have completed:

  • Both tests of text comprehension, vocabulary and grammar.
  • The Satyrica reading control.

Thus, in the event that the sum of the weighting of the grades is 5 or more, but one of the two requirements mentioned above to pass it is not met, the student will have a grade of 4.5 (not passed).

Reassessment will only allow them to retake 70% of the assessment activities (language exams and Satyrica).


Likewise, to be able to take the retake test, it is necessary to have previously evaluated for 2/3 of the total. Specifically, it is necessary to have previously taken the two language tests (both text comprehension, vocabulary and grammar tests) and the reading control.


The test schedule isas follows (provided that it is not advised to change it for reasons of force majeure):

  • First text comprehension, vocabulary and grammar test: 18th March.
  • Petronius's Satiricon reading control: 22th April.
  • Second text comprehension, vocabulary and grammar test: 27th May.


In the event that the student cannot attend a partial test or the final make-up test on the scheduled day, they will not have the opportunity to repeat the exam, unless the faculty considers it appropriate in view of the supporting documentation of the reason. of the absence.


In the event of a student committing any irregularity that may lead to a significant variation in the grade awarded to an assessment activity, the student will be given a zero for this activity, regardless of any disciplinary process that may take place. In the event of several irregularities in assessment activities of the same subject, the student will be given a zero as the final grade for this subject.

Assessments in which there have been irregularities (copying, misuse of AI, etc.) are not reassessed.


The student will have the right to a revision of the tests and other activities of evaluation, that will happen in an individualized way with the professor in the date and schedule that this establishes and that will communicate to the students (Moodle).

This subject allows the use of AI technologies exclusively for support tasks that are explicitly permitted by the teacher. Other specific situations may be contemplated, as deemed appropriate by the teacher.


The student must clearly (i) identify which parts have been generated using AI technology; (ii) specify the tools used;and (iii) include a critical reflection on how these have influenced the process and final outcome of the activity.

Lack of transparency regarding the use of AI in the assessed activity will be considered academic dishonesty; the corresponding grade may be lowered, or the work may even be awarded a zero.

In cases of greater infringement, more serious action may be taken.


This subject does not incorporate single assessment.

Bibliography

Manuals of Latin grammar and syntax:

Bilingual dictionaries:

  • Antoni Seva (dir.), Diccionari llatí-català, Enciclopèdia Catalana, 2019.
  • Agustín Blánquez, Diccionario latino-español, Madrid, Gredos, 2017.
  • Félix Gaffiot, F., Grand Gaffiot. Dictionnaire latin-français, Hachette, 2000.
  • P. G. W. Glare, Oxford Latin Dictionary, Clarendon Press, 2012.

Literature dictionaries / manuals:

  • Ludwig Bieler, Historia de la literatura romana, Madrid, Gredos, 1971.
  • Carmen Codoñer (ed.), Historia de la Literatura Latina, Madrid, Cátedra, 1997.
  • Simon Hornblower- Antony Spawforth, The Oxford Classical Dictionary, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1996.
  • Gian Biagio Conte, Latin literature. A history, Baltimore, Johs Hopkins University Press, 1999 / Letteratura latina, Milà, Mondadori, 2002.
  • M. C. Howatson, Diccionario de la literatura clásica, Madrid, Alianza Editorial, 1991.

Translations of Petronius’ Satyricon:

Into Catalan:

  • Satiricó, traducció catalana d'Albert Berrio i Romà Giró, Columna, Barcelona 1988.
  • Satíricon, text llatí i traducció catalana de Sebastià Giralt, Adesiara, Barcelona, 2017.
  • El Satiricó i trenta fragments, traducció catalana de Josep M. Pallàs, Quaderns Crema, Barcelona 1988.

Into Spanish:

  • Satiricón, traducció castellana de Carmen Codoñer, Akal, Madrid 1996.
  • Satiricón, text llatí i traducció castellana de Manuel Díaz y Díaz, CSIC, Barcelona 1968-1969.
  • Satiricón, traducció castellana de Pedro Rodríguez, Alianza Editorial, Madrid 2003.
  • El Satiricón, traducció castellana de Lisardo Rubio, Gredos, Madrid 1978.

Arachniography:

Online dictionaries:

  • Charlton T. Lewis, Charles Short, A Latin Dictionary (Perseus) <http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.04.0059 >.
  • Félix Gaffiot, Dictionnaire latin-français < http://gerardgreco.free.fr/spip.php?article43&lang=fr > i < http://www.tabularium.be/gaffiot >.
  • DidacTerion. Diccionario latín-castellano < http://www.didacterion.com/esddlt.php >.
  • Collatinus (català, castellà i altres llengües) < http://outils.biblissima.fr/en/collatinus-web/>.
  • Logeion < https://logeion.uchicago.edu/lexidium >

Grammar, literature and activities:

  • Carlos Cabanillas, Materiales didácticos < https://sites.google.com/site/carloscabanillas/materiales-didacticos >.
  • Joan Mut - Maria Betriu, Via media < http://www.viamedia.cat >
  • Sebastià Giralt, El laberint de Roma (Labyrinthus) < http://www.xtec.cat/~sgiralt/labyrinthus/roma/roma.htm >, 2003-2020.

Latin texts:

  • The Latin Library < http://thelatinlibrary.com >.
  • Harsch, U., Bibliotheca Augustana < https://www.hs-augsburg.de/~harsch/a_alpha.html >.

Perseus Collection. Greek and Roman Materials <http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/collection?collection=Perseus:collection:Greco-Roman >.

Software

No software needed.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 Catalan second semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 2 Catalan second semester morning-mixed