Participles

The Ablative Absolute

An Ablative Absolute phrase is used when a thought, condition or action is grammatically separate but modifies the meaning of the rest of the sentence. The ablative absolute is sometimes called an adverbial phrase because it modifies the whole sentence as an adverb modifies the action of a verb. We use absolute adverbial phrases in English too: 'They had a pleasant trip, all things considered.'

Here's a description from Arnold's Latin Prose Composition of the Latin ablative absolute:

"...the words in the ablative seem to stand apart, as if set free (absolutus) from the main section of the sentence.... The construction is widely used by Roman authors to indicate ideas of cause or time. The absence [in Latin] of a perfect active participle also determines the frequent use of this construction."

Description and Reoginition

How do you recognize an ablative absolute? Look for these features

1. Often -- but not always -- the phrase is set off from the rest of the sentence with commas.
2. A grouping of two or more words in the ablative case, in these combinations.
   • Noun or pronoun plus participle.
   • Two or more nouns or pronouns with some form of 'esse' implied, since Latin has no present or perfect participle for 'esse'.
   • Noun or pronoun plus adjective with some form of 'esse' implied.
3. The phrase is not linked grammatically to other parts of the sentence. For instance, there will be no preposition introducing the phrase.
4. The phrase reflects upon the action of the main clause with regard to one or more of these:
   • Time sequence
   • Precondition or causation
   • Attendant circumstance
   • Opposing or contrasting circumstance

Exempli Gratia

Study these examples:

Nuntio misso dux dormivit per nocte ('A messenger having been sent, the general slept through the night'). The noun-participle phrase tells us the sequence of events. It also suggests causation -- that the general was able to sleep soundly because a messenger had been sent.

Duce nuntium mittente milites sua arma preparavunt ('While the general was sending a messenger, the soldiers readied their weapons'). Nuntium, although not in the ablative case, is considered part of the AA phrase because it is direct object of the active participle.

Eo discessuro tabulae geographicae sunt paratae ('As he was about to depart, maps were prepared'). A pronoun, taking the place of a noun, combined with a future participle.

Caesare ipso legiones ducente tamen bellum in Gallia longum erat ('Although Caesar himself was leading the legions, the war in Gaul was lengthy'). With tamen in the main clause, the AA phrase becomes a circumstance that opposes or contrasts with the main clause.

Hannibale mortuo res publica salva est ('With Hannibal dead the republic is safe'). A noun-adjective combination with 'being' implied.

Nuntiis gravibus Caesar misit Labienum ad Galliam ('The news being serious, Caesar sent Labienus to Gaul). A noun-adjective combination, with 'esse' implied. Serious news is the pre-condition; Caesar sends Labienus because of this news.

Omnibus paratis familia discessit ad urbem ('Since everything was prepared, the family departed for the city'). Latin has no perfect participle for the verb 'esse' so we must supply 'was.'

Caesare Bibulo consulibus flumen Tiberis urbem inundavit ('When Caesar and Bibulus were the co-consuls, the river Tiber flooded the city'). This noun-noun-noun combination requires us to supply the English 'were.' This is a common way to date a year. Since two men served together as joint consuls for a one-year term, 'consul' takes plural form.

Practice Activity

Practice on the sentences below. Separate the ablative absolute phrase from the rest of the sentence. Is it noun + participle? Noun + noun with esse implied? Noun + adjective with esse implied? Try different ways of translating the phrase and then the whole sentence into English. Most ablative absolutes are best translated with clauses introduced by when, although, since, or if.

1. Servo accusato dominus discessit.
2. Oppidis nostris a barbaris captis, bellum geremus.
3. Eo volente omnes agentur.
4. Bello terminaturo milites domum ire parabant.
5. Omnibus perditis tamen milites spem habuerunt.
6. Senatores, nullo adversante, leges scelestas deleverunt.
7. Roma salva erit, Tito principe.

Finally, try your hand at this sentence by identifying two ablative phrases that are not absolute and two ablative phrases that are:

8. Claudio et Catone consulibus, Galli petentes ducti a Vercingetorice repulsi sunt a militibus Romanis Caesare ducente.

Answer Key - Check your work

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