Forte Academy | Latin Manuscripts for Beginners

Latin Manuscripts for Beginners

Location

Florence, Italy

Next Course

Overview

Join us in Florence for an introduction to the language, history, production and transmission of Latin manuscripts during the Renaissance, suitable for anyone with personal or academic interests in this field. This short course consists of interactive seminars, hands-on workshops and library visits with plenty of free time to explore the city. Discover the little-known ways in which ancient and Renaissance texts have transmitted to the present day and learn new skills including: how to read, write, transcribe and illustrate Latin manuscripts using ancient and modern techniques. This year, the themes are Virgil's Aeneid and Women Latinists.

This course consists of approx. 4 hours teaching on Days 1-4 (9.30 – 1.30), attendance at a research workshop on the theme of Women Latinists, lunch and a library visit on Day 5 (9.30 – 5) and a Cultural Programme of optional, recommended events for free time in the afternoon and evenings.

Seminar Highlights...

Latin lesson for Beginners
How to read a Latin manuscript
The Scriptorium workshop: Become a scribe for the day
The transmission of classical texts in Florence
Virgil’s Aeneid: Highlights of Books 1-4 and their afterlives
The Letterpress: Putting Latin into Print
The Art of Illumination: Decorating your manuscript
The Epistolary Renaissance: Women Latinists and the Republic of Letters

Cultural Programme

In the evenings, students are free to immerse themselves in the dolce vita alongside their studies and join optional activities on our Cultural Programme, which compiles relevant local events such as life-drawing classes, public lectures, exhibitions, live music and film screenings and tips to gain access to authentic Florentine nightlife to explore independently.

Ideas for Pre-Reading

- Virgil's Aeneid, Books 1-4

- Ross King, The Bookseller of Florence: Vespasiano da Bisticci and the Manuscripts that Illuminated the Renaissance

What's included? Timetable of daily teaching and activities, hands-on art workshops, group lunch on Day 5 and private visits. All materials will be provided in Latin and English translation.

Fees & How to Apply

Full Fee: £495

Application status: Closed

To register, please fill in an application form and you will hear back from us within 3-5 working days. Please note that meals, travel and accommodation are not included in the course fee. If you have any questions about this course, please email info@forte-academy.co.uk.

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Feedback from Forte Academy students....

In Florence

"Overall, an amazing and culturally enriching experience that I would definitely recommend! The course itself is relaxed and engaging while it encourages debate and conversation. Focusing on the florentine culture and history from many different angles. It explores science, history, religion, art, history, architecture, philosophy and literature and to demonstrate how they are all intertwined to create modern day florence. There was plenty of free time to explore the city for yourself or with the new people you meet along the way, allowing you to dive into the culture even while on your morning coffee run!"
- Beth, CA 2023

"A beautiful and thorough exploration into the Classical world. Learnt so much and had such an amazing experience, meeting new people and seeing new places."
- CA 2023 Student

"It was a very enjoyable experience with a variety of fun activities and interesting seminars. 10/10!"
- CA 2023 Student

"Classics Abroad was an amazing experience for me! I would really recommend anyone with a historical curiosity to participate, not only to learn but also to travel the city."
- CA 2022 Student

"I thought it offered a truly fascinating insight into Florence’s classical, medieval and renaissance history in a fun, accessible way.
The people were lovely and the location perfect." - CA 2019 Student

"Fantastic experience, would definitely do the same or something similar again!" - CA 2019 Student

"A superb way to see Florence that built on the material I've been covering at uni, demonstrating in the stone and paint of the Renaissance masterpieces the continuous link between the ancient and modern worlds."
- Matthew, CA 2019

"An amazing trip, would recommend to anyone." - CA 2019 Student

Online

"I absolutely loved the online classics course this year! It opened up a whole new discipline for me to explore and I can’t wait to learn more! Thanks for a great week!"
- CA 2020 Student

"A fascinating, rewarding course with passionate and remarkably insightful and engaging lecturers. On the whole, really well-adapted to an online format. It always felt rooted in a love of Florence, despite the distance. I would recommend to anyone at all interested in Renaissance Italy or Ancient Rome"
- CA 2020 Student

"The course was engaging and fascinating from start to finish. Every session was presented by an expert who brought their subject to life, all the more impressive as it was online. I would highly recommend this course."
- CA 2020 Student

"I am absolutely blown away by how much information I received during this course. It feels like so many more doors have been opened for me to explore, and thanks to Florence and the team my appetite for the Classics has increased tremendously! Each day felt like a brand new experience, and I left every session having learnt at least five things I didn't know before. If you want an entirely new perspective on the Classics and what it means to be a historian, I couldn't recommend this course more."
- Erin, CA 2021 Student

"The Forte Academy programme offered a perfect variety of content that both challenged and expanded my knowledge of the Renaissance and how we tackle the Classical Canon - both what we can learn from it and how we can challenge it. The plethora of primary sources ranged from art to poetry to letters and really painted the picture of the Florentine past, I highly recommend."
- CA 2021 Student