Description
Nonnos from Panopolis (modern-day Aḫmīm) in Egypt. There are no biographical records, with the exception of Anth. Pal. 9.198. but there is a lot of plausibility in the assumption that he lived in the first seven decades of the 5th cent. AD.
Nonnos wrote the great epic Διονυσιακά (48 books, as many as the Iliad and the Odyssey combined). It is the longest poem surviving from antiquity, and he also wrote a Μεταβολὴ τοῦ κατὰ Ἰωάννην εὐαγγελίου ἁγίου, an adaptation of the New Testament in the form of 3,650 epic hexameters divided in 21 rhapsodies.
Recent work on Nonnus’ Paraphrasis of John’s Gospel has shown the emphasis given by the poet to the exegetical technique applied to his biblical epic. Not only is Nonnos aware of contemporary debates, but he treats patristic exegesis with a critical spirit and, in some cases, seems to offer quite original exegetical solutions. Regardless of whether Nonnus was a Christian bishop or not, his theological expertise was impressive.
Nonnos also reformed the poetic meter, codifying the already apparent tendency to ossify the hexameter in order to make the verse more suitable for declamation. Typical of his style is the accumulation of adjectives, much of which consists of composites and is frequently reformed to meet metrical requirements.
Sources:
Accorinti, D. (2016). Brill’s companion to Nonnus of Panopolis. Leiden, Netherlands; Boston, Massachusetts, : Brill.
Fornaro, Sotera (Sassari), “Nonnus”, in: Brill’s New Pauly, Antiquity volumes edited by: Hubert Cancik and, Helmuth Schneider, English Edition by: Christine F. Salazar, Classical Tradition volumes edited by: Manfred Landfester, English Edition by: Francis G. Gentry. Consulted online on 03 September 2023.
When?
Once a week,
for an hour and a half,
Saturdays, 18:00-19:30 Central European Time.
October 14 until December 16, 2023
Who is this class for?
As this class is for already advanced students of AG, it is necessary to have a solid knowledge of AG grammar and a good-sized vocabulary; be able to understand and produce a paragraph in a logical or relatively coherent way; and narrate and describe in the past, present, future tenses. You should also be prepared to respond to questions and engage in discussions in AG, as this is the language the class will be conducted in.
The aim of this class
The purpose of this class will be to get together for an hour and half and comment and discuss in Ancient Greek approx. 20 verses of the first rhapsody of Nonnos’ Paraphrasis of John’s Gospel. Participants are expected to read the ca. 20 verses in advance, in order to achieve better communication during the sessions, i.e. when interpreting and discussing the text in the group. Participants, if so desired, will have the opportunity to give 30 min. presentations.
Text
Scheindler, A., Nonni Panopolitani Paraphrasis S. Evangelii Ioannei. Lipsiae, Teubner, 1881.
https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_p9-97qisyA8C/page/n45/mode/2up
Number of Participants
Max. 6 students
Teacher
Rogelio Toledo
Price
Standard: 375€
Students: 330€
About Rogelio
Rogelio studied Classics at the University of Mexico City and at the Free University Berlin. He has taught numerous Latin and Greek classes online as well as in person. From 2020 until 2022 he worked as a teacher at the Polis Institute, Jerusalem, holding the position of Ancient Greek and Latin Department Coordinator. Rogelio is currently teaching classes for Triodos Trivium as well as pursuing a PhD in Byzantine Studies at the University of Vienna.
If you have questions about this class, you can write Rogelio an email: rogeliotoledo@triodos-trivium.com
FAQ
You can read our full FAQ here.
If you have further questions, you can also write us an email: info@triodos-trivium.com
Register here
Registration deadline: October 03, 2023, 23:59 CET
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