University of Virginia Library

For Graduates Only.

Course 6D: Cource 4C or Course 5C, or the equivalent of either, prerequisite.—This
course is intended for those who desire to specialize in classical
philology, and especially for those who choose Latin as their major
elective for the degree of Doctor of Philisophy. Roman civilization is the link
between the Hellenic and the Romanic, and hence Latin philology, which
is the science of Roman civilization, has vital points of contact with Greek
philology on the one hand and with Romanic on the other. If the candidate's
main subject be Latin, a respectable familiarity with Greek is required,
since the language, literature, and higher culture of the Romans
are saturated with Greek influence. If the candidate's main subject be
Romanic, the Greek requirement is waived as far as practically possible,
and he is guided into the history of the Roman folk speech, the common
source of the Romanic tongues, and into acquaintance with the authors
who illustrate it in literature.

Plan of Work.—It is the aim of this course, as far as the teaching
force and the resources of the School permit, to prepare the candidate
to investigate independently the sources of our knowledge of the language,
monuments (literary and objective) and life of the Romans.
The following is therefore an outline of the course:

I. In Language: Elements of comparative grammar (Giles, supplemented
by Hirt and Sommer on Sounds and Inflections and by
Brugmann and Schmalz on Syntax)—introduction to Latin historical
grammar (Lindsay, supplemented by Landgraf)—systematic grammar

(Kühner) with stylistic exercises, oral and written, in conjunction
with Cicero's De Oratore—reading of epigraphic and literary
monuments illustrating the history of the Latin language.

II. In the Literary and Objective Monuments of the Romans:
Reading of authors in groups systematically planned to illustrate the
literary life of the Romans—history and interpretation of texts—elements
of palæography (Johnson, supplemented by Thompson), epigraphy
(Lindsay, supplemented by Egbert and Cagnat), numismatics
(Gnecchi, supplemented by Hill), topography and remains (Platner,
Mau, Strack, Furtwaengler).

III. In Roman Life: Constructive study of Roman culture-history—reading
of authors illustrating the development of Roman
civilization—study of modern authorities in Roman culture-history
(Philippson, Nissen, Mommsen, Marquardt-Mommsen, Preller-Jordan,
Springer-Michaelis and Winter, Schanz, Windelband).

Aids.—For the sake of first-hand access to important modern
authorities in Latin philology, the candidate is urged to acquire a
good reading knowledge of German, French, and Italian. Such a
mastery of German and French is imperative.