Thursday, March 13, 2025

17.06.25: Level 3; summary of of the uses of the ablative case [16]: the ablative of price

Latin tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y69cLzFHVUs

The price of something is expressed in the ablative, the price either being a specific numerical value or referring to a general amount (e.g. high or low price) or, as in the last quotation a noun which is equated to a value.

Agrum vēndidit sēstertium sex mīlibus. │ He sold the land for 6000 sesterces.

Nam nummōs antīquōs magnō pretiō vēnumdant. │ For they offer the ancient coins for sale at a great / high price.

magnō pretiō: at a high price

parvō pretiō: at a low price

sānē [i] magnō pretiō, [ii] nummīs aureīs quadringentīs (Livy) │ of course [i] at a great price, [ii]  for four hundred gold coins

operam Epidicī nunc mē emere pretiō pretiōsō velim (Plautus) │ I'd be willing to pay a pretty price for Epidicus's assistance now [literally: I would like to buy Epidicus’ assistance at an expensive price]  

Antōnius rēgna addīxit pecūniā. │Antony sold kingdoms for money.

Logōs rīdiculōs: quis cēnā poscit? │ Jokes: who wants them for (at the price of) a dinner?


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