Latin for beginners (1911)/Part III/Lesson LXXV

by Benjamin Leonard D'Ooge

Layout 2

LESSON LXXV

VOCABULARY REVIEW • THE DATIVE OF PURPOSE, OR END FOR WHICH

435. Review the word lists in §§ 521, 522.

436. Observe the following sentences:

1. Explōrātōrēs locum castrīs dēlēgērunt, the scouts chose a place for a camp.

2. Hoc erat magnō impedīmentō Gallīs, this was (for) a great hindrance to the Gauls.

3. Duās legiōnēs praesidiō castrīs relīquit, he left two legions as (lit. for) a guard to the camp.

In each of these sentences we find a dative expressing the purpose or end for which something is intended or for which it serves. These datives are castrīs, impedīmentō, and praesidiō. In the second and third sentences we find a second dative expressing the person or thing affected (Gallīs and castrīs). As you notice, these are true datives, covering the relations of for which and to which. (Cf. § 43.)

437. Rule. Dative of Purpose or End. The dative is used to denote the purpose or end for which, often with another dative denoting the person or thing affected.

438.

IDIOMS

cōnsilium omittere, to give up a plan

locum castrīs dēligere, to choose a place for a camp

alicui magnō ūsuī esse, to be of great advantage to some one (lit. for great advantage to some one)

439.

EXERCISES

I.

1. Rogāvit cūr illae cōpiae relictae essent. Respondērunt illās cōpiās esse praesidiō castrīs.
2. Caesar mīsit explōrātōrēs ad locum dēligendum castrīs.
3. Quisque exīstimāvit ipsum nōmen Caesaris magnō terrōrī barbarīs futūrum esse.
4. Prīmā lūce īdem exercitus proelium ācre commīsit, sed gravia suōrum vulnera magnae cūrae imperātōrī erant.
5. Rēx respondit amīcitiam populī Rōmānī sibi ōrnāmentō et praesidiō dēbēre esse.
6. Quis praeerat equitātuī quem auxiliō Caesarī sociī mīserant?
7. Aliquibus rēs secundae sunt summae calamitātī et rēs adversae sunt mīrō ūsuī.
8. Gallīs magnō ad pugnam erat impedīmentō quod equitātus ā dextrō cornū premēbat.
9. Memoria prīstinae virtūtis nōn minus quam metus hostium erat nostrīs magnō ūsuī.
10. Tam dēnsa erat silva ut prōgredī nōn possent.

II.

1. I advise you ^[1]to give up the plan ^[2]of making war upon the brave Gauls.
2. Do you know ^[3]where the cavalry has chosen a place for a camp?
3. The fear of the enemy will be of great advantage to you.
4. Cæsar left three cohorts as (for) a guard to the baggage.
5. In winter the waves of the lake are so great ^[4]that they are (for) a great hindrance to ships.
6. Cæsar inflicted severe^[5] punishment on those who burned the public buildings.

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References

1. Subjunctive of purpose. (Cf. § 366.)
2. Express by the genitive of the gerundive.
3. Indirect question.
4. A clause of result.
5. gravis, -e.