The city of Rome is built not only of bricks and marble but also of the words of its writers. For the ancient inhabitant or visitor, the buildings of Rome, the public spaces of the city, were crowded with meanings and associations. These meanings were generated partly through activities associated with particular places, but Rome also took on meanings from literature written about the city: stories of its foundation, praise of its splendid buildings, laments composed by those obliged to leave it. Ancient writers made use of the city to explore the complexities of Roman history, power and identity.’ This abstract of Catherine Edwards’ monograph (1996) ‘Writing Rome’ will be the point of departure for this course, that aims at mapping and analyzing aspects of Rome’s resonance in literature and the literary resonance of Rome. However, instead of focusing on ancient Rome solely, we consider Edwards’ words to be true for all periods of Roman history, up until the present, as well as for other cities or empires that have built their identity in relation to Rome. Therefore our literary corpus, that we will examine in interaction with the city’s spaces and monuments, will range from texts by Virgil and Juvenal, Alcuin and Petrarch, Montaigne and Goethe, to Igiaba Scego and Jhumpa Lahiri. We will use a variety of literary and classical reception approaches to explore which literary, political or religious parameters determine how ancient stock images of Rome are appropriated or contested in later times. Ultimately we will consider what this teaches us about the development of the idea of ‘eternal’ Rome and what is left of it today. Primary literature will be made available – as much as possible – in translation.
We explicitly encourage students who have no previous training in literary studies, but are invested in the topic, to also apply.
© left: Author Portrait in Vergilius Romanus (Vat. lat. 3867) (Wikimedia commons) © right: Georgius Fabricius, Rome (1551), title page (Google books)
Teaching staff
Susanna de Beer and guest lecturers
Target group and admission
The course is open to 12 selected (R)MA/ PhD students in Classics, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Italian Studies, Literary studies, Cultural Studies, History, Art – and Architectural History, and related disciplines from KNIR partner universities (University of Amsterdam, Free University of Amsterdam, Leiden University, Utrecht University, Radboud University, University of Groningen).
Credits
The study load is the equivalent of 5 ECTS (140 hours). Each student should arrange with their university coordinator whether the course can be a part of their existing curriculum. After successful completion of the course, the KNIR provides a certificate mentioning study load and grade.
Costs
Participants will receive free tuition and excursions (including most entry fees for museums and archaeological sites). Travel expenses to and from Rome will be reimbursed up to € 100,- (or up € 125,- in case you travel by train) upon a successful completion of this course. Meals and personal expenses are not included.
Facilities in Rome
All participants will be housed at the Royal Netherlands Institute near Rome’s Villa Borghese Park. From there, it is only a short walk to the historical center of Rome. The KNIR accommodation consists of shared bedrooms and bathrooms, and includes a living and dining space, a large kitchen, washing machine and wireless internet. All residents have 24/7 access to the library and gardens of the Royal Netherlands Institute.
© photo left: Jhumpa Lahiri, Racconti Romani (Guanda), © photo right: Rina Bianchi e Igiaba Scego, Roma negata. Percorsi postcoloniali nella città (futura editrice)
Application and admission
The selection of participants is based on grades, the added value of the course in the student’s curriculum, a letter of motivation, and the composition of the group. Students can apply via the link below; include in your application:
- a letter of motivation (max. 1 A4)
- a cv
- a recent list of courses followed and grades provided by your university
Deadline applications
24 February 2025. You will be notified about the outcome within two weeks. Please note that the decision of the selection committee is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
More info
E-mail: secretary@knir.it
Phone: (+39)063269621
© photo tile/ header: Charles Jalabert, Horace, Virgil and Varius at the House of Maecenas, 19th c. (Wikimedia Commons)
