1. Chapter 13 Language Facts 1 and 2
Ablative Absolutes
Chapter 13
Language Facts 1 and 2

2. Ablative Absolutes
Two or more words in the ablative (usually beginning a sentence before the subject)
Noun/pronoun + participle
Noun + Noun
Expresses an idea logically linked to the main clause but grammatically independent
Often translates just like a subordinate clause beginning with “cum”

3. Cena parata, omnes sedeverunt edere.
Notice cena and parata are both in the ablative
Notice they come before the subject of the main clause
Notice they are not grammatically linked
Translation:
With dinner having been prepared, all sat to eat.
OR smoother….
When dinner was prepared, all sat down to eat.

4. Ablative Absolute Examples
Urbe relicto, cives ambulabant ad novum urbem. (noun + participle)
Quinto rege, urbs tempus pacis habuit. (noun + noun)

5. Language Fact 2- More on Ablative Absolutes
The ablative absolutes can fulfill the same functions as temporal, causal, conditional, and concessive clauses
If meaning is temporal translate: When
If meaning is causal, translate: Since, Because
If meaning is concessive, translate: Although

6. Temporal, Causal, Concessive?
Hostibus appropinquantibus, consul exercitum paravit.
Because the enemy was approaching, the consul prepared the army.
Causal
Caesare duce dicto, milites se ad iter parare coeperunt.
When Caesar had been named leader, the soldiers began to prepare themselves for the road.
Temporal
Hostibus appropinquantibus, consul tamen exercitum non paravit.
Although the enemy was approaching, nevertheless the consul did no prepare the army.
Concessive

7. Ablative Absolute NLE questions
Now try these REAL sample questions that came straight from past National Latin Exams:
1. Oratione audita, omnes cives oratorem laudaverunt.
a. while the speech was being heard
b. to hear the speech
c. after the speech was heard
d. by hearing the speech
2. Ponte destructo, Horatius ad ripam natavit.
after the bridge had been destroyed
by destroying the bridge
when the bridge will be destroyed
about to destroy the bridge
3. Gladiis strictis, gladiatores pugnare coeperunt.
a. to draw swords
b. swords having been drawn
c. drawing swords
d. about to draw swords
4. Castris positis, Hannibal in ripa elephantos disponit.
by pitching camp
who must pitch camp
while pitching camp
after the camp was pitched

8. Exercise 1, page 300
Turri lignea aedificata, homines ibi relicti castra tandem habebant.
Verbis Coloni auditis, Martinus iratus est et cum nonnullis sociis in aliam insulae partem discessit.
Consilio Coloni a Martino non probato, multi tamen Hispani in insula cum duce manere decreverunt.
Hortantibus nonnullis Colonum ut Martino veniam daret, multi tamen nautae nullam pacem inter duces fieri posse crededebant.
Litteris Martini ad Colonum relatis, pax inter duces tandem est facta.

9. Exercise 3, 303
Verbis Coloni auditis, nautae per tres alios dies exspectare decreverunt.
Nulla terra multos per dies visa, nautae iam sperare nolebant.
Martino epistulam Coloni legente, incolae exspectabant.
Omnibus nautis in Hispaniam redire cupientibus, Colonus tamen paucos Hispanos in illa insula manere debere putabat.
“Multis militibus et nautis absentibus,” inquit Martinus, “pauci Hispani in tanta incolarum multitudine relicti in periculo maximo versabuntur.”