12.05.25: Level 3; summary of of the uses of the ablative case [3]: prepositions (2)

[1] Prepositions with the ablative can indicate physical location e.g. where a building is situated, or where an action is taking place (known as the ablative of place where)

[i] in: in / on

In urbe habitābam. │I used to live in the city.

Agricola in īnsulā habitat. │ The farmer lives on an island.

[ii] sub: under

Mārcus sub arbore sedēbat. │ Marcus was sitting under a tree.

[2] Prepositions with the ablative can also indicate movement away from a location

[i] ā / ab: (away) from

Ab urbe profectus est. │ He set out from the city.

ā / ab can also be used to express from a certain time:

ab hōrā tertiā │ from the third hour

[ii] dē: (down) from

dē nāvibus dēsilīre │ to jump down from the ships

Mātrēs familiae dē mūrō vestem argentumque iactābant (Caesar) │ The married women began throwing their clothes and silver over [ = down from] the wall

[iii] ē / ex: out of

Ex omnibus partibus silvae ēvolāvērunt. │ They flew out from all parts of the forest.

Notes:

[1] These are the basic meanings of these prepositions. However, as you continue through the notes on the ablative case, you will see that they have other meanings and uses.

[2] The ablative case expressing “in” is not used with the names of towns, cities and small islands. The next two posts will look at this in order to “put it to bed” before continuing with the ablative. However it has already been discussed here:

https://adckl.blogspot.com/2024/04/290324-locative-case.html