Participles

The Ablative Absolute - KEY

A sentence can convey more than one meaning; translation usually depends upon knowing the context. The translations below are meant to show a variety of ways in which ablative absolutes can be interpreted and treated.

1. Servo accusato dominus discessit.
   The slave having been accused, the master departed.
   Since a slave had been accused, the master departed.
   When a slave had been accused, the master departed.
   
   
2. Oppidis nostris a barbaris captis, bellum geremus.
   Our towns having been captured by barbarians, we will go to war.
   Since our towns have been captured by the barbarians, we will wage war.
   If our towns have been captured by barbarians, we will go to war.
   
   
3. Eo volente omnes agentur.
   With him willing, all things will be done.
   If he is willing, all things will be done.
   Since he is willing, all things will be done.
   
   
4. Bello terminaturo milites domum ire parabant.
   The war being about to end, the soldiers were preparing to return home.
   Since the war was about to end, the soldiers were preparing to return home.
   When the war was on the verge of ending, soldiers were preparing to return home.
   With war on the verge of ending, soldiers were preparing to return home.
   
   
5. Omnibus perditis tamen milites spem habuerunt.
   Everything having been lost, the soldiers still had hope.
   With everything lost, nevertheless the soldiers had hope.
   Although everything was lost, the soldiers had hope.
   
   
6. Senatores, nullo adversante, leges scelestas deleverunt.
   No one opposing, the senators abolished the wicked laws.
   The senators, with none in opposition, abolished the wicked laws.
   When none opposed, the senatores abolished the wicked laws.
   Since no one was opposing, the senators abolished the wicked laws.
   
   
7. Roma salva erit, Tito principe.
   Titus being emperor, Rome will be safe.
   Rome will be safe, when Titus is emperor.
   Rome will be safe, if Titus is emperor.
   
   
8. Claudio et Catone consulibus Galli petentes ducti a Vercingetorice repulsi sunt a militibus Romanis Caesare ducente.
   
   When Claudius and Cato were consuls - ablative absolute of time
   attacking Gauls - subject
   led - perfect passive participle modifying the subject
   by Vercingetorix, - an ablative of agent
   were driven back - passive verb
   by Roman soldiers, - another ablative of agent
   with Caesar as general. - ablative absolute of circumstance

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