Alternatives to the Ablative of Agent

There are two: per + accusative and operā + genitive.

• Recall that operā (sans ā/ab) is operating as an Ablative of Instrument
• These are constructions where the agent/instrument sense breaks down: with per, animate agents seems to work as instruments, and with operā, the (instrumental) labor of an agent take the place of that agent.

Agents with Per Construction

• Caesar was informed by scouts: Caesar ab explōrātōribus certiorātus est.
• Cesar was informed by scouts: Caesar per explōrātōrēs certiorātus est.

• He was trampled by charioteers: ab origīs compressus est.
• He was trampled by charioteers: per origās compressus est.

Agents with Operā Construction

• Caesar was informed by scouts: Caesar ab explōrātōribus certiorātus est.
• Caesar was informed by the work of scouts: Caesar operā explōrātōrum certiorātus est.

• The walls were cleaned by a slave: mūrī ab famulō lōtī sunt.
• The walls were cleaned by slave’s labor: mūrī operā famulī lōtī sunt.

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While we’re at it, note the odd forth principle part of wash: lāvō, lāvāre, lāvī, lōtum.

• Really, it varies: it can also be lautum or lāvātum, depending on the author.

The Essential AG: 405b

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Ablative of Agent (2/2)

It’s critical to differentiate the Ablative of Instrument and Ablative of Agent.

• Instrument uses [ablative]; Agent uses [ab/ā + ablative]

Exempla

• He perished by the sword: gladiō occīsus est.
• He was killed by the enemy: ab hoste occīsus est.

• He was vexed with a problem: curā vexātus est.
• He was haunted by the ghosts of his past: ab manibus priscīs vexātus est.

With the first example, the sword is the tool used to kill him, not the sentient agent committing the act. With the second example, the problem is the source of his worries, but the problem is not a sentient agent. The Ablative of Instrument has a sense of inanimate agency, but only the Ablative of Agent carries a sense of animate agency.

• Animals tend to sit in the seam between these two options: sometimes they are instruments, sometimes agents. Look for ā/ab! This will not only help to make the silly distinction, but also help to show the kind of agency the author is attempting to associated with the ablative construction.

For more on the Ablative of Instrument: http://wp.me/p2eimD-52

The Essential AG: 405n2; 405bn2

Ablative of Means and Instrument (with Constructions)

Ablative of Manner, Means and Instrument (p 3/3)

 

Summary of Use

Allen and Greenough identify three major categories of case usage with the ablative: (1) the ablative proper, (2) the instrumental ablative and (3) the locative ablative

• The ablative of means, manner and instrument are a collected heading under the (2) instrumental ablative

These uses of the ablative are part of what was once the instrumental case, so “no sharp line can be drawn between them, and indeed the Romans themselves can hardly have thought of any distinction” (AG 408)

The ablative of manner is often distinguished by the use of cum as an initiating preposition

 

Ablative of Means with Deponent Verbs

The verbs ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vescor and their compounds use the ablative of means or instrument

• I will make use of your kindness: ūtar vestrā benīgnitāte.
• The hero takes the gold: aurō hērōs potitur.
• They fed on milk and game: lacte et ferīnā carne vescēbantur.
• She enjoyed the songs: cārmēnibus frūctus est.
• He performs the sacrifice carefully: hostiā religiōse fungitur.
• I could use your sharp eyes here: hīc acerbīs oculīs utār.

With Opus and Ūsus

The impersonal constructions opus est and ūsus est take the ablative of instrument, with ūsus est the rare variant of the two

These constructions favor an ablative participle over an ablative noun

• There was need of haste: properātō opus erat.
• I must have your best cunning and cleverness: opus est tuā exprōmptā malitiā atque astūtiā.
• There is need of magistrates: magistrātibus opus est.
• Now there is need of arms: nun vīribus ūsus est.

Opus est may also appear as a predicate, with the corresponding noun as nominative subject

• We need a chief and authority: dux nōbis et auctor opus est. 
• Here are the things which are required: hīc sunt quae opus sunt.

 

Famous Phrase: quod nōn opus est, asse carum est.

(what you don’t need is pricey at a penny)

[motto for frugality]

– Seneca, Epistulae Morales, 94 (quoting Cato the Elder)

 

ablative_means_instrument_p2.pdf