22.06.25: Level 3; the ablative absolute [1]

One of the reasons why Latin can express itself far more concisely than many other languages is the construction known as the ablative absolute and it is because of its conciseness that it very frequently occurs in the literature.

The ablative absolute is a phrase that describes the circumstances under which an action is performed. The circumstances most often refer either to time or reason.

First take a look at this English sentence that comprises two clauses:

[1] When (after) / since the money had been found, ¦ [2] the master punished the slave.

[1] is an adverbial clause in that it describes the circumstances in which the action in the main clause [2] took place; in this example [1] could refer either to time (when or after) or reason (since)

3 points to note:

[i] the adverbial clause is passive i.e. after the money had been found

[ii] the action in [1] happened before the action in [2]

[iii] the adverbial clause does not say that it was the master who found the money; maybe he did, but the clause does not imply that

In Latin, this clause can be expressed by a phrase: the ablative absolute which comprises 2 parts:

[1] noun / pronoun + [2] perfect passive participle; both in the ablative case

> [1] pecūniā [2] inventā = the ablative absolute

In grammar books this type of ablative absolute is normally translated in a very literal way so that it is clear what exactly is being conveyed: with X having been Y-ed

[X] pecūniā ¦ [Y] inventā = literally: with the money ¦ having been found. This, of course, sounds very cumbersome in English but, at this early stage, it is better to keep to that translation; in later posts, more natural sounding translations will be discussed.

Pecūniā inventā, dominus servum punīvit. │ With the money having been found, the master punished the slave.

Leōne vīsō, fēminae discessērunt. │ With the lion having been seen, the women departed.

Acceptīs litterīs, Caesar discēdit. │ With the letter having been received, Caesar departs.

Hīs verbīs dictīs, Caesar discessit. │ With these words having been said, Caesar departed.

Remember:

[i] the construction is passive: with the lion having been seen

[ii] the ablative absolute refers to something which happened before the main action: [1] Leōne vīsō, ¦ [2] fēminae discessērunt.

[iii] the ablative absolute does not refer to the subject of the sentence; there is no implication that it was the women themselves who saw the lion (that may be construed from context, but it is not stated in the ablative absolute)