This article presents a retrospective of Alfonso Traina (Palermo 24.6.1925-Bologna 18.9.2019) as a teacher and scholar, providing an overview of his extensive research interests and seminal publications. Through the examination of various examples, the article elucidates Traina’s unique approach to Latin and Neo-Latin texts, emphasizing the origins and features of a research methodology that has had a considerable impact on the field of Latin language and literature studies.