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The participle (μετοχή participation) is a verbal adjective, in part a verb, in part an adjective.
The participle is like a verb herein:
a. It shows the distinctions of voice and tense. Its tenses mark action simply occurring, continuing, and completed.
b. It can have an object in the same case (genitive, dative, accusative) as the finite forms.
c. It is modified by adverbs, not by adjectives.
d. It may take ἄν, and, with that particle, represents ἄν with the indicative or ἄν with the optative (1845 ff.).
The participle shows its adjectival nature by being inflected and by admitting the article before it, both of which characteristics give it the character of a noun. It follows the rules of agreement like other adjectives (1020). Unlike the adjective, it represents a quality in action (cp. 1857).
The participle is always used in connection with a substantive or a substantive pronoun, which may be contained in a verbal form, as διάγουσι μανθάνοντες they spend their time in learning.
The tenses of the participle (except the future) not in indirect discourse are timeless, and denote only stage of action (1872). When they stand in indirect discourse and represent the indicative, they denote time relatively to that of the main verb.
The future participle marks an action as in prospect at the time denoted by the leading verb. Since it expresses an idea of will, it shows that an action is purposed, intended, or expected. With the article it denotes the person or thing likely (or able) to do something ( = μέλλων with inf. 1959). The nearest approach to mere futurity appears in general only after verbs of knowing and perceiving (2106, cp. 2112 b).
but her husband had gone to hunt haresὁ δ᾽ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς λαγὼς ᾤχετο θηρά̄σων
The negative of the participle is οὐ, except when the participle has a general or conditional force, or occurs in a sentence which requires μή. See 2728.
The participle has three main uses.
A. Attributive: as an attributive to a substantive.
B. Circumstantial (or Adverbial): denoting some attendant circumstance and qualifying the main verb like an adverbial phrase or clause.
C. Supplementary: as a supplement to a verbal predicate, which, without such a supplement, would be incomplete.
The circumstantial and supplementary participles are predicate participles.
The attributive and circumstantial participles are commonly not necessary to the construction; but the removal of a supplementary participle may make the construction incomplete. The circumstantial participle is used by way of apposition to the subject of the verb and, though strictly predicative, may agree attributively with a noun or pronoun. An attributive participle may be circumstantial, as οἱ μὴ δυνάμενοι διατελέσαι τὴν ὁδὸν ἐνυκτέρευσαν ἄσῑτοι those who (i.e. if any) were unable to complete the march passed the night without food X. A. 4.5.11. A participle may be both circumstantial and supplementary, as ἀδικούμενοι ὀργίζονται (T. 1.77) they are enraged at being wronged or because (when, if) they are wronged. Circumstantial and supplementary participles often cannot be sharply distinguished; as with verbs signifying to be angry, ashamed, content, pleased (2100), inferior to, do wrong (2101), endure (2098), come and go (2099). Thus, ἀδικῶ ταῦτα ποιῶν I do wrong in doing this or I am guilty in doing this: in the first case ταῦτα ποιῶν is appositive to the subject of the verb; in the second these words define the predicate adjective ἄδικος contained in ἀδικῶ ( = ἄδικός εἰμι).
The attributive participle (with any modifier), with or without the article, modifies a substantive like any other adjective.
the danger impending over the Stateὁ ἐφεστηκὼς κίνδῡνος τῇ πόλει
the mountain called Cotylaeumτὸ Κοτύλαιον ὀνομαζόμενον ὄρος
the so-called islands of Aeolusαἱ Αἰόλου νῆσοι καλούμεναι
The substantive with which the attributive participle (with the article) agrees directly, may be omitted, the participle thus becoming a substantive (1153 b, and N. 1); as,
whoever wants to go homeὁ οἴκαδε βουλόμενος ἀπιέναι
a. Substantives or relative clauses must often be used to translate such par ticiples, as ὁ φεύγων the exile or the defendant, τὸ μέλλον the future, οἱ νῑκῶντες the victors, ὁ κλέπτων the thief, οἱ θανόντες the dead, ὁ σωθείς the man who has been saved, οἱ δεδιότες those who are afraid, οἱ ἀδικούμενοι those who are (being) wronged,
the one who gave this opinionὁ τὴν γνώμην ταύτην εἰπών
the man who took this position in the State was Iὁ ἐνταῦθ᾽ ἑαυτὸν τάξᾱς τῆς πολῑτείᾱς εἴμ᾽ ἐγώ
A participle may be modified by adjectives or take a genitive, when its verbal nature has ceased to be felt:
the petty interests of the Stateτὰ μῑκρὰ συμφέροντα τῆς πόλεως
The article with the participle is either generic or particular (1124). Thus, ὁ λέγων the definite speaker on a particular occasion, or orator in general. So ὁ οὐ δρά̄σᾱς the definite person who did not do something, ὁ μὴ δρά̄σᾱς any one who did not do something (a supposed case),
the unmarried man has no troublesὁ μὴ γαμῶν ἄνθρωπος οὐκ ἔχει κακά
a. Participles having an indefinite force may, especially in the plural number, be used without the article. Thus,
he sent men to reconnoitreκατασκεψομένους ἔπεμπε
we shall endeavour to avenge ourselves on any one who injures usἀδικοῦντα πειρᾱσόμεθα . . . ἀμύ̄νασθαι
A participle and its substantive often correspond to a verbal noun with the genitive or to an articular infinitive. Cp. post urbem conditam and Milton's “Since created man.”
τῷ σί̄τῳ ἐπιλείποντι ἐπιέζοντο they suffered from the failure of the crops ( = τῇ τοῦ σί̄του ἐπιλείψει) T. 3.20, δι᾽ ὑ̄μᾶς μὴ ξυμμαχήσαντας by reason of your not joining the alliance ( = διὰ τὸ ὑ̄μᾶς μὴ ξυμμαχῆσαι) 6. 80, μετὰ Συρᾱκούσᾱς οἰκισθείσᾱς after the foundation of Syracuse 6. 3,
the ravaging of the country grieved himἐλύ̄πει αὐτὸν ἡ χώρᾱ πορθουμένη
his wrath will disappear with the cessation of his fearἡ ὀργὴ σὺν τῷ φόβῳ λήγοντι ἄπεισι
a. Except in expressions of time, such as
at the beginning of springἅμα ἦρι ἀρχομένῳ
swearing by Zeus is ridiculousΖεὺς γελοῖος ὀμνύμενος
The circumstantial participle is added, without the article, to a noun or pronoun to set forth some circumstance under which an action, generally the main action, takes place.
a. The circumstantial participle thus qualifies the principal verb of the sentence like an adverbial clause or supplementary predicate. Cp. μετὰ ταῦτα εἶπε afterwards he said with γελῶν εἶπε he said laughingly. Such participles usually have the force of subordinate clauses added to the main verb by conjunctions denoting time, condition, cause, etc.; but may often be rendered by adverbial phrases or even by a separate finite verb, which brings out distinctly the idea latent in the participle.
b. The circumstantial participle has no article. In agreement with a noun and its article, it stands before the article or after the noun (i.e. in the predicate position). By the agreement of the participle with a noun or pronoun, the predicate of the sentence is more exactly defined.
The circumstantial participle has two main constructions each equivalent in meaning to a clause of time, condition, cause, etc.
(I) The subject of the participle is identical with the noun or pronoun subject or object of the leading verb, and agrees with it in gender, number, and case.
(οἱ ἄνθρωποι) λιπόντες τὴν ὁδὸν φεύγοντες ὀλίγοι ἀπέθνῃσκον by leaving the road and making off only a few were killed X. A. 4.2.7,
having sent a herald in advance to proclaim warπροπέμψαντες κήρῡκα πόλεμον προεροῦντα
(II) Absolute participial clauses, in which a participle, and not a finite verb, forms the predicate. These are of two kinds.
A. Genitive Absolute.—A participle agreeing in the genitive with its own subject, which is not identical with the subject of the leading verb, is said to stand in the genitive absolute. Cp. 2070.
Cyrus ascended the mountains without any one preventing himΚῦρος ἀνέβη ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη οὐδενὸς κωλύ̄οντος
N.—The English nominative absolute is represented by the Greek genitive absolute. Cp. Tennyson: “we sitting, as I said, the cock crew loud” = ἡμῶν καθημένων, ὅπερ ἔλεγον, μέγα ᾖσεν ὁ ἀλεκτρυών.
B. Accusative Absolute.—When the participle has no definite subject (i.e. with impersonal verbs), the accusative absolute is used instead of the genitive absolute. Cp. 2076.
συνδόξαν τῷ πατρὶ καὶ τῇ μητρὶ γαμεῖ τὴν Κυαξάρου θυγατέρα on the approval of (lit. it seeming good to) his father and mother he married the daughter of Cyaxares X. C. 8.5.28.
The circumstantial participle expresses simply circumstance or manner in general. It may imply various other relations, such as time, manner, means, cause, purpose, concession, condition, etc. But it is often impossible to assign a participle exclusively to any one of these relations (which are purely logical), nor can all the delicate relations of the participle be set forth in systematic form.
Time.—The time denoted by the participle is only relative to that of the governing verb, and is to be inferred from the context. Each participial form in itself expresses only stage of action (1850).
ἀκούσᾱσι τοῖς στρατηγοῖς ταῦτα ἔδοξε τὸ στράτευμα συναγαγεῖν on hearing this i<*> seemed best to the generals to collect the troops X. A. 4.4.19.
a. Several temporal participles have an adverbial force: ἀρχόμενος in the beginning, at first, τελευτῶν at last, finally, διαλιπὼν (or ἐπισχὼν) χρόνον after a while, διαλείπων χρόνον at intervals, χρονίζων for a long time. Thus,
as I said at the outsetἅπερ καὶ ἀρχόμενος εἶπον
at last he became angryτελευτῶν ἐχαλέπαινεν
Manner.—
they marched past in orderπαρήλαυνον τεταγμένοι
he preferred rather to abide by the laws and die than to disobey them and liveπροείλετο μᾶλλον τοῖς νόμοις ἐμμένων ἀποθανεῖν ἢ παρανομῶν ζῆν
you claim to be favoured by fortune as happily you are in factφατὲ μὲν εὐτυχεῖς εἶναι, ὡς καὶ ἐστὲ καλῶς ποιοῦντες
a. Several participles of manner have an idiomatic meaning, e.g. ἀνύσᾱς quickly (lit. having accomplished), ἔχων continually, persistently (lit. holding on), λαθών secretly, κλαίων to one's sorrow (lit. weeping), χαίρων with impunity (lit. rejoicing), φέρων hastily (lit. carrying off), φθάσᾱς before (lit. anticipating). Thus,
hurry up and openἄνοιγ᾽ ἀνύσᾱς
he sailed out unobserved by the guardἔκπλουν ποιεῖται λαθὼν τὴν φυλακήν
you keep triflingφλυᾱρεῖς ἔχων
Means (often the present participle).—
they live by pillagingλῃζόμενοι ξῶσι
Cause.—
Parysatis favoured Cyrus because she loved him more than she did Artaxerxes the kingΠαρύσατις . . . ὑπῆρχε τῷ Κύ̄ρῳ, φιλοῦσα αὐτὸν μᾶλλον ἢ τὸν βασιλεύοντα Ἀρταξέρξην
they held aloof from gains because they thought them disgracefulἀπείχοντο κερδῶν αἰσχρὰ νομίζοντες εἶναι
a. τί μαθών what induced him to (lit. having learned what?), τί παθών what possessed him to (lit. having experienced what?) are used with the general sense of wherefore? in direct (with ὅ τι in indirect) questions expressing surprise or disapprobation; as τί μαθόντες ἐμαρτυρεῖτε ὑ̄μεῖς; what put it into your heads to give evidence? D. 45.38, τί παθόντε λελάσμεθα; what possessed us to forget? Λ 313. Cp. τί βουλόμενος.
b. τί ἔχων; what's the matter with you? (lit. having what?)
Purpose or Object.—The future (sometimes the present) participle is used to denote purpose, especially after verbs denoting to come, go, send, summon, etc. Thus,
having sent a herald in advance to proclaim warπροπέμψαντες κήρῡκα πόλεμον προεροῦντα
Opposition or Concession.—οὐδὲν ἐρῶ πρὸς ταῦτα ἔχων εἰπεῖν I will make no reply to this though I might (speak) do so P. Lach. 197c,
for many, albeit noble by birth, are ignobleπολλοὶ γὰρ ὄντες εὐγενεῖς εἰσιν κακοί
Condition (negative always μή).—σὺ δὲ κλύων ( = ἐὰ̄ν κλύῃς)
but if you listen you shall soon knowεἴσει τάχα
Any Attendant Circumstance.—
having collected an army he laid siege to Miletusσυλλέξᾱς στράτευμα ἐπολιόρκει Μί̄λητον
a. ἔχων having, ἄγων leading, φέρων carrying (mostly of inanimate objects), χρώμενος using, λαβών taking are used where English employs with. Thus,
he arrives with an armyἔχων στρατιὰ̄ν ἀφικνεῖται
b. In poetry participles (especially) of verbs denoting motion are often added to verbs of giving, setting to make the action more picturesque (H. 304, S. Aj. 854).
The force of these circumstantial participles does not lie in the participle itself, but is derived from the context. Unless attended by some modifying adverb, the context often does not decide whether the participle has a temporal, a causal, a conditional, a concessive force, etc.; and some participles may be referred to more than one of the above classes. Thus, πατὴρ δ᾽ ἀπειλῶν οὐκ ἔχει μέγαν φόβον (Men. fr. 454) may mean: a father by threatening ( = when or because or if or though, he threatens) does not excite much fear.
Genitive Absolute.—A circumstantial participle agreeing with a genitive noun or pronoun which is not in the main construction of the sentence, stands in the genitive absolute. Like other circumstantial participles, the genitive absolute expresses time, cause, condition, concession, or simply any attendant circumstance.
a. Time:
these things were effected while Conon was in commandταῦτ᾽ ἐπρά̄χθη Κόνωνος στρατηγοῦντος
this said, they roseτούτων λεχθέντων ἀνέστησαν
they blockaded and captured Eïon which was held by the MedesἨϊόνα . . . Μήδων ἐχόντων πολιορκίᾳ εἷλον
b. Cause:
by the enfeebling of the body, the spirit too is made weakerτῶν σωμάτων θηλῡνομένων καὶ αἱ ψῡχαὶ ἀρρωστότεραι γίγνονται
c. Opposition or Concession: καὶ μεταπεμπομένου αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἐθέλω ἐλθεῖν even though he is sending for me, I am unwilling to go X. A. 1.3.10. καίπερ is usually added (2083).
d. Condition: οἴομαι καὶ νῦν ἔτι ἐπανορθωθῆναι ἂν τὰ πρά̄γματα τούτων γιγνομέ- νων if these measures should be taken, I am of the opinion that even now our situation might be rectified D. 9.76.
e. Attendant Circumstance: Κῦρος ἀνέβη ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη οὐδενὸς κωλύ̄οντος Cyrus ascended the mountains without opposition (lit. no one hindering) X. A. 1.2.22 (or since no one opposed him).
ἑκών willing, ἄ̄κων unwilling are properly participles and are treated as such (cp. 2117 c). Thus,
without my consentἐμοῦ οὐχ ἑκόντος
a. ἄ̄κων, ἀεκαξόμενος, ἀφρονέων, ἀελπτέων, ἀνάρμενος, ἀνομολογούμενος, ἀτίξων are the only cases in Greek showing the earlier method of negativing the participle with alpha privative. Elsewhere οὐ or μή is used.
The genitive of the participle may stand without its noun or pronoun
a. When the noun or pronoun may easily be supplied from the context. Thus, οἱ δὲ πολέμιοι, προσιόντων (τῶν Ἑλλήνων, previously mentioned),
the enemy, as they were approaching, for a while remained quietτέως μὲν ἡσυχίαζον
b. When the noun or pronoun may easily be supplied otherwise; here, e.g., ἀνθρώπων or πρᾱγμάτων is said to be supplied grammatically. Thus, ἰόντων εἰς μάχην when (men) are going into battle X. C. 3.3.54, τοῦτον τὸν τρόπον πρᾱχθέντων τῆς πόλεως γίγνεται τὰ χρήματα when (things) have happened in this way, the property belongs to the State D. 24.12; and in ὕ̄οντος (Διός, 934 a)
when it was raining hardπολλῷ
in this state of thingsοὕτως ἔχοντος
c. When a subordinate clause with ὅτι follows upon the participle in the passive. Thus,
it having been announced that Phoenician ships were sailing against themἐσαγγελθέντων ὅτι Φοίνισσαι νῆες ἐπ᾽ αὐτοὺς πλέουσιν
Exceptionally, the subject of the genitive absolute is the same as that of the main clause. The effect of this irregular construction is to emphasize the idea contained in the genitive absolute. Thus,
if you assist us heartily, you will gain to your cause a State having a large navyβοηθησάντων ὑ̄μῶν προθύ̄μως πόλιν προσλήψεσθε ναυτικὸν ἔχουσαν μέγα
a. The genitive absolute may be used where the grammatical construction demands the dative. Thus,
when Pericles had already crossed over, news was brought to him that Megara had revoltedδιαβεβηκότος Περικλέους . . . ἠγγέλθη αὐτῷ ὅτι Μέγαρα ἀφέστηκε
b. The subject of the genitive absolute may be identical with the object of the leading verb:
they came against Epidaurus expecting to capture it undefendedἧλθον ἐπὶ τὴν Ἐπίδαυρον ὡς ἐρήμου οὔσης . . . αἱρήσοντες
Observe that the genitive absolute differs from the Latin ablative abso lute herein: 1. The subject need not be expressed (2072). 2. The subject may appear in the leading clause (2073 a). 3. With a substantive the participle ὤν is always added in prose, whereas Latin has to omit the participle. Thus,
nobis puerisπαίδων ὄντων ἡμῶν
cum bellicis in periculis universa respublica imperatori committaturὅλης τῆς πόλεως ἐν τοῖς πολεμικοῖς κινδύ̄νοις ἐπιτρεπομένης τῷ στρατηγῷ
The genitive absolute took its rise from such cases as Σαρπήδοντι δ᾽ ἄχος γένετο Γλαύκου ἀπιόντος but sorrow came on Sarpedon for Glaucus—departing M 392. The genitive, here properly dependent on ἄχος γένετο, ceased to be felt as dependent on the governing expression, and was extended, as a distinct construction, to cases in which the governing expression did not take the genitive. Cp. the development of the accusative with the infinitive (1981).
Accusative Absolute.—A participle stands in the accusative absolute, instead of the genitive, when it is impersonal, or has an infinitive as its subject (as under C). When impersonal, such participles have no apparent grammatical connection with the rest of the sentence.
A. Impersonal verbs: δέον, ἐξόν, μετόν, παρόν, προσῆκον, μέλον, μεταμέλον, παρέχον, παρασχόν, τυχόν, δοκοῦν, δόξαν, or δόξαντα (ταῦτα), γενόμενον ἐπ᾽ ἐμοί as it was in my power.
οὐδεὶς τὸ μεῖζον κακὸν αἱρήσεται ἐξὸν τὸ ἔλᾱττον (αἱρεῖσθαι) no one will choose the greater evil when it is possible to choose the less P. Pr. 358d, ἧς (βουλῆς)
to which he now claims admission though he has no rightνῦν ἀξιοῖ τυχεῖν οὐ μετὸν αὐτῷ
for of course you know because it concerns youδῆλον γὰρ ὅτι οἶσθα μέλον γέ σοι
N.—Apart from δόξαν, τυχόν, the accusative absolute of the aorist participle of impersonal verbs is very rare.
B. Passive participles used impersonally: γεγραμμένον, δεδογμένον, εἰρημένον, προσταχθέν, προστεταγμένον. Cp. Eng. granted this is so, this done, which said.
though it was told them to meet here, they sleep and have not comeεἰρημένον δ᾽ αὐταῖς ἀπαντᾶν ἐνθάδε . . . εὕδουσι κοὐχ ἥκουσιν
N.—The aorist participle passive is rarely used absolutely: ἀμεληθέν, ἀπορρηθέν, καταχειροτονηθέν, κῡρωθέν, ὁρισθέν, περανθέν, προσταχθέν, χρησθέν.
C. Adjectives with ὄν: ἄδηλον ὄν, δυνατὸν ὄν, ἀδύνατον ὄν, αἰσχρὸν ὄν, καλὸν ὄν, χρεών (χρεώ ¨ ὄν), etc.
we did not rescue you although it was both feasible and possibleσὲ οὐχὶ ἐσώσαμεν . . . οἷόν τε ὂν καὶ δυνατόν
on the ground that stealing is not necessary you accuse the thiefτὸ κλέπτειν, αἰτιᾷ τὸν κλέπτοντα
The impersonal character of the above expressions would not be shown by the genitive since the participle in that case marks a distinction between masculine (neuter) and feminine. The accusative absolute, which occurs first in Herodotus and the Attic prose writers of the fifth century, is probably in its origin an internal accusative, developed, at least in part, by way of apposition (991-994), the neuter of a participle or of an adjective standing in apposition to an idea in the leading clause. Thus, προσταχθὲν αὐτοῖς οὐκ ἐτόλμησαν εἰσαγαγεῖν (Is. 1.22) they did not dare to bring him in—a duty that was enjoined (although it was enjoined) upon them. Cp. πείθει δ᾽ Ὀρέστην μητέρα . . . κτεῖναι, πρὸς οὐχ ἅπαντας εὔκλειαν φέρον he persuaded Orestes to slay his mother, a deed that brings not glory in the eyes of all E. Or. 30.
The participle of a personal verb may be used absolutely if it is preceded by ὡς or ὥσπερ. Thus, ηὔχετο πρὸς τοὺς θεοὺς τἀ̄γαθὰ διδόναι, ὡς τοὺς θεοὺς κάλλιστα εἰδότας ὁποῖα ἀγαθά ἐστι (Socrates) prayed to the gods that they would give him good things, in the belief that the gods know best what sort of things are good X. M. 1.3.2,
they were supping in silence just as if this had been enjoined upon themσιωπῇ ἐδείπνουν, ὤσπερ τοῦτο προστεταγμένον αὐτοῖς
a. Cases without ὡς or ὥσπερ are rare. Thus,
on reaching this conclusion you chose twenty menδόξαντα ὑ̄μῖν ταῦτα εἵλεσθε ἄνδρας εἴκοσι
Adverbs are often used to set forth clearly the relations of time, manner, cause, concession, etc., that are implied in the participle. They occur also with the genitive and accusative absolute. These adverbs modify either the principal verb or the participle itself.
The adverbs ἔπειτα thereupon, τότε, εἶτα (less often ἐνταῦθα) then, ἤδη already, οὕτω so, when used with the verb of the sentence which contains a temporal participle, emphasize the temporal relation: (ὑ̄μῶν δέομαι) ἀκροᾱσαμένους διὰ τέλους τῆς ἀπολογίᾱς τότε ἤδη ψηφίζεσθαι κτλ. (I beg you) when you have heard my defence to the end, then and not till then to vote, etc. And. 1.9, ὑπὲρ μεγίστων
they incurred danger for a great and noble cause, and so ended their livesκαὶ καλλίστων κινδῡνεύσαντες οὕτω τὸν βίον ἐτελεύτησαν
ἅμα at the same time, αὐτίκα immediately, εὐθύς straightway, μεταξύ between, in the midst, though strictly modifying the main verb, are often placed close to a temporal participle which they modify in sense:
saying this, he roseἅμα ταῦτ᾽ εἰπὼν ἀνέστη
getting up in the middle of supperἐξαναστάντες μεταξὺ δειπνοῦντες
A participle implying opposition or concession (2066) may have its meaning rendered explicit by ὅμως yet, nevertheless (with or without καίπερ, 2083), εἶτα then or ἔπειτα afterwards to express censure or surprise (then, for all that): σὺν σοὶ ὅμως καὶ ἐν τῇ πολεμίᾳ ὄντες θαρροῦμεν with you, though we are in the enemies' country, nevertheless we have no fear X. C. 5.1.26, ἔπειτ᾽ ἀπολιπὼν τοὺς θεοὺς ἐνθάδε μενεῖς; and then, though you desert the gods, will you remain here? Ar. Pl. 1148. ὅμως may attach itself more closely to the participle, though belonging with the principal verb:
take the advice of women none the less though thou likest it notπείθου γυναιξί, καίπερ οὐ στέργων ὅμως
With participles of opposition or concession (2066): καίπερ although, καί (infrequent), although καὶ ταῦτα (947) and that too. Thus,
I give you advice though I am your juniorσυμβουλεύω σοι καίπερ νεώτερος ὤν
Cleon's promise, insane though it was, was fulfilledΚλέωνος καίπερ μανιώδης οὖσα ἡ ὑπόσχεσις ἀπέβη
you do wrong in that you corrupt the most earnest man we have by tempting him to laugh, and that though he is such an enemy to laughterἀδικεῖς ὅτι ἄνδρα ἡμῖν τὸν σπουδαιότατον διαφθείρεις γελᾶν ἀναπείθων, καὶ ταῦτα οὕτω πολέμιον ὄντα τῷ γέλωτι
a. In Homer the parts of καίπερ are often separated by the participle or an emphatic word connected with it: καὶ ἀχνύμενοί περ although distressed M 178. πέρ may stand alone without καί: ἀνάσχεο κηδομένη περ bear up, though vexed A 586. Both uses occur in tragedy. The part. with πέρ is not always concessive.
b. In a negative sentence, οὐδέ ( μηδέ ), with or without πέρ, takes the place of καί; as γυναικὶ πείθου μηδὲ τἀ̄ληθῆ κλύων listen to a woman, though thou hearest not the truth E. fr. 440.
With participles of cause (2064): οὕτως, διὰ τοῦτο ( ταῦτα ), ἐκ τούτου . Thus, ἀνελόμενοι τὰ ναυά̄για . . . καὶ ὅτι αὐτοῖς . . . οὐκ ἀντεπέπλεον, διὰ ταῦτα τροπαῖον ἔστησαν because they had picked up the wrecks and because they (the enemy) did not sail against them, (for this reason) they set up a trophy T. 1.54.
With participles of cause (2064): ἅτε (ἅτε δη), οἷα or οἷον (οἷον δή) inasmuch as, state the cause as a fact on the authority of the speaker or writer. Thus, ὁ Κῦρος, ἅτε παῖς ὤν, . . . ἥδετο τῇ στολῇ Cyrus, inasmuch as he was a child, was pleased with the robe X. C. 1.3.3, ἥκομεν ἑσπέρᾱς ἀπὸ τοῦ στρατοπέδου, οἷον δὲ διὰ χρόνου ἀφῑγμένος ᾖ ἐπὶ τὰ̄ς συνήθεις διατριβά̄ς I returned in the evening from the camp, and, as I arrived after a long absence, I proceeded to my accustomed haunts P. Charm. 153a,
inasmuch as the peltasts were going off to supper, they rode against themοἷα δὴ ἀπιόντων πρὸς δεῖπνον . . . τῶν πελταστῶν, . . . ἐπελαύνουσι
With participles of cause or purpose, etc. (2064, 2065): ὡς . This particle sets forth the ground of belief on which the agent acts, and denotes the thought, assertion, real or presumed intention, in the mind of the subject of the principal verb or of some other person mentioned prominently in the sentence, without implicating the speaker or writer.
a. Thus, ἀπῆλθον ὡς νῑκήσαντες may mean either they departed under the impression that they had been victorious (though as a matter of fact they may have been defeated) or pretending that they had been victorious (when they knew they had been defeated). The use of ὡς implies nothing as to the opinion of the speaker or writer. On the other hand ἀπῆλθον νῑκήσαντες means that, as a matter of fact, and on the authority of the writer, they had been victorious.
b. ὡς may be rendered as if (though there is nothing conditional in the Greek use, as is shown by the negative οὐ, not μή), by in the opinion (belief) that, on the ground that, under pretence of, under the impression that, because as he said (or thought); in the hope of, with the (avowed) intention of (with the future participle).
c.
there they remained in the belief that they were occupying the summit; but in fact they were not occupying it, since there was a hill above themἐνταῦθ᾽ ἔμενον ὡς τὸ ἄκρον κατέχοντες · οἱ δ᾽ ου᾽ κατεῖχον, ἀλλὰ μαστὸς ἦν ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν
d. ὡς with the absolute participle:
we must not be discouraged on the ground that the Athenians are not well disciplinedοὐ δεῖ ἀθῡμεῖν ὡς οὐκ εὐτάκτων ὄντων Ἀθηναίων
he bade him be of good cheer in the assurance that this would arrange itself in the right wayἔλεγε θαρρεῖν ὡς καταστησομένων τούτων ἐς τὸ δέον
in the belief that it was already in their power to do what they pleased, they put many to deathὡς ἐξὸν ἤδη ποιεῖν αὐτοῖς ὅ τι βούλοιντο, πολλοὺς ἀπέκτεινον
ὥσπερ as, just as, as it were, an adverb of comparison, denotes that the action of the main verb is compared with an assumed case. Thus,
we lie inactive just as if it were possible to take one's easeκατακείμεθ᾽ ὥσπερ ἐξὸν ἡσυχίᾱν ἄγειν
a. Where a condition is meant, we have ὥσπερ ἂν εἰ (ὡσπερανεί). Cp. 2480 a.
b. Hom. uses ὥς τε, ὡς εἰ, ὡς εἴ τε like ὥσπερ or ὡς. ὡς εἰ, ὡς εἴ τε occur also in tragedy, and do not have a conditional force. Thus,
bewailing him as if he were going to deathὀλοφῡρόμενοι ὡς εἰ θανατόνδε κιόντα
The supplementary participle completes the idea of the verb by showing that to which its action relates.
The supplementary participle agrees either with the subject or with the object of the main verb; with the subject when the verb is intransitive or passive, with the object when the verb is transitive.
I never ceased pitying ourselvesοὔποτ᾽ ἐπαυόμην ἡμᾶς οἰκτί̄ρων
I put a stop to the poor being wrongedτοὺς πένητας ἔπαυσ᾽ ἀδικουμένους
I proved that Philip was acting unjustlyἀδικοῦντα φίλιππον ἐξήλεγξα
he will straightway be proved to be ridiculousεὐθὺς ἐλεγχθήσεται γελοῖος ὤν
a. When the object is the same as the subject, it is commonly suppressed, and the participle agrees with the subject. Thus,
I see that I errὁρῶ ἐξαμαρτάνων
know that you are a foolἴσθι ἀνόητος ὤν
he showed that he despised the lawsἐδήλωσε τῶν νόμων καταφρονῶν
b. For the sake of emphasis or contrast (and to secure greater symmetry) the object may be expressed by the reflexive pronoun. Thus,
I know that I have presented my case honestlyοἶδα ἐμαυτὸν δικαίως κεχρημένον αὐτοῖς
show that you did not do this yourselfδεῖξον οὐ πεποιηκότα ταῦτα σαυτόν
now he knows both—that he is himself plotting against you and that you are aware of itἀμφότερ᾽ οὖν οἶδε, καὶ αὑτὸν ὑ̄μῖν ἐπιβουλεύοντα, καὶ ὑ̄μᾶς αἰσθανομένους
c. ἔοικα (the personal use for the impersonal ἔοικε, 1983) usually takes the participle in the dative; as,
you seem reluctant to speakἔοικας ὀκνοῦντι λέγειν
Many verbs supplementing their meaning by the participle admit of the construction with the infinitive (often with a difference of meaning; see 2123 ff.) or with a substantive clause with ὅτι or ὡς.
The present or perfect participle is often used as a simple predicate adjective, especially with εἰμί and γίγνομαι. The aorist participle is chiefly poetic.
there were some who distrusted Philipἦσαν ἀπιστοῦντές τινες φιλίππῳ
it was advantageous to the Stateσυμφέρον ἦν τῇ πόλει
a. Here the participle has the article when it designates the subject itself (third example; cp. 1152). But the article is not used when the participle marks a class in which the subject is included.
The supplementary participle after certain verbs represents a dependent statement.
In ἤκουσε Κῦρον ἐν Κιλικίᾳ ὄντα he heard that Cyrus was in Cilicia ὄντα stands for ἐστί, what was heard being “Κῦρος ἐν Κιλικίᾳ ἐστί.” This is shown by the fact that the sentence might have been, according to the principles of indirect discourse, ἤκουσεν ὅτι Κῦρος ἐν Κιλικίᾳ εἴη (or ἐστί, 2615). With verbs not introducing indirect discourse, however, there is no such indirect statement; as in
they ceased fightingἐπαύσαντο μαχόμενοι
Accordingly, from this point of view, the uses of the supplementary participle are two: (1) not in indirect discourse, and (2) in indirect discourse.
a. Some verbs take the participle either in indirect discourse or not in indirect discourse (2112). It is sometimes impossible to decide whether a participle stands in indirect discourse or not (2113); and the difference, especially after verbs of perceiving (2112 a, b), may be of no great importance to the sense.
The supplementary participle not in indirect discourse is often like an object infinitive, the tenses denoting only stage of action and not difference of time (cp. 1850). Thus, compare παύομέν σε λέγοντα we stop you from speaking (of continued action) with κωλύ̄ομέν σε λέγειν we prevent you from speaking (also of continued action).
With verbs denoting being in some modified way (2096-2097).
τυγχάνω (poet. κυρῶ) happen, am just now, λανθάνω escape the notice of, am secretly, φθάνω anticipate, am beforehand.
a. With these verbs the participle contains the main idea, and is often represented in translation by the finite verb with an adverbial phrase; thus, παρὼν ἐτύγχανε he happened to be there, or he was there by chance X. A. 1.1.2.
b. The action of φθάνω and λανθάνω usually coincides with that of the supplementary participle (present with present, aorist with aorist). But the aorist of a finite verb is occasionally followed by the present participle when it is necessary to mark an action or a state as continuing. οὐκ ἔλαθον is like an imperfect and may take the present participle. The aorist of τυγχάνω very often takes the present participle. With a present or imperfect of τυγχάνω, λανθάνω, φθάνω, the (rare) aorist participle refers to an action or state anterior to that of the present or imperfect. Many of the cases of the present of τυγχάνω with the aorist participle are historical presents; and in some cases the aorist participle is used for the perfect. With other tenses than present or imperfect, an aorist participle with these verbs refers to an action or state coincident in time (cp. 1873).
c. τυγχάνω often loses the idea of chance, and denotes mere coincidence in time (I am just now, I was just then) or simply I am (was).
d. Examples. τυγχάνω :
I happen to be proxenusπροξενῶν τυγχάνω
they happen to have fared the bestἄριστα τυγχάνουσι πρά̄ξαντες
I was just sayingἐτύγχανον λέγων
who happened to have spoken in opposition and to have declared his opinionὅστις ἀντειπών γε ἐτύγχανε καὶ γνώμην ἀποδεδειγμένος
they got in secretlyἔλαθον ἐσελθόντες
he escaped without being noticedἔλαθεν ἀποδρά̄ς
you will submit to every possible calamity ere you are awareλήσετε πάνθ᾽ ὑπομείναντες
scarcely had they heard of the war when they cameοὐκ ἔφθασαν πυθόμενοι τὸν πόλεμον καὶ ἧκον
e. οὐκ ἂν φθάνοις (φθάνοιτε) with the participle is used in urgent, but polite, exhortations, as οὐκ ἂν φθάνοις λέγων the sooner you speak the better (i.e. speak at once) X. M. 2.3.11. Strictly this is equivalent to you would not be anticipating (my wish or your duty), if you should speak. λέγε φθάσᾱς might be said according to 2061.
f. λανθάνω and φθάνω (rarely τυγχάνω) may appear in the participle, thus reversing the ordinary construction, as
he entered Mitylene secretlyδιαλαθὼν ἐσέρχεται ἐς τὴν Μῑτυλήνην
we got the start of them by ravaging their territoryφθάνοντες ἤδη δῃοῦμεν τὴν ἐκείνων γῆν
διάγω, διαγίγνομαι, διατελῶ, διαμένω continue, keep on, am continually.
διάγουσι μανθάνοντες they are continually (they spend their time in) learning X. C. 1.2.6.
the soldiers kept eating meatκρέᾱ ἐσθίοντες οἱ στρατιῶται διεγίγνοντο
he continues to hateδιατελεῖ μῑσῶν
we lamented continuallyθρηνοῦντες διετελοῦμεν
the sun continues to be most brilliantὁ ἥλιος λαμπρότατος ὢν διαμένει
With verbs signifying to begin, cease, endure, grow weary of an action.
ἄρχομαι begin (2128), παύω cause to cease, παύομαι, λήγω cease, ἀπολείπω, διαλείπω, ἐπιλείπω leave off, ἐλλείπω support, καρτερῶ endure (do something patiently), κάμνω grow weary, ἀπαγορεύω give up, etc.
I will begin my speech with the healing artἄρξομαι ἀπὸ τῆς ἰ̄ᾱτρικῆς λέγων
I will put a stop to this happeningπαύσω τοῦτο γιγνόμενον
I never left off seekingοὐπώποτε διέλειπον ζητῶν
do not grow weary of doing good to your friendμὴ κάμῃς φίλον ἄνδρα εὐεργετῶν
I am tired of carrying my arms and going in the ranks and mounting guard and fightingἀπείρηκα . . . τὰ ὅπλα φέρων καὶ ἐν τάξει ἰὼν καὶ φυλακὰ̄ς φυλάττων καὶ μαχόμενος
a. Verbs signifying to support, endure ordinarily take the present participle; but there are cases of the complexive aorist in reference to acts to which one must submit despite all resistance: so, with ἀνέχομαι, X. C. 6.2.18, D. 41.1; cp. οὐκ ἠνέσχεσθε ἀκούσαντες L. 13.8 (Hdt. 5.89) with οὐκ ἠνείχοντο ἀκούοντες X. H. 6.5.49. The aorist participle seems not to be used with the object of ἀνέχομαι.
With some verbs of coming and going the participle specifies the manner of coming and going, and contains the main idea.
βῆ φεύγων he took to flight (went fleeing) B 665,
they have gone in pursuitοἴχονται διώκοντες
I put to seaᾠχόμην ἀναγόμενος
he is dead and goneοἴχεται θανών
With verbs of emotion (rejoicing and grieving) the participle often denotes cause (cp. 2048).
χαίρω, ἥδομαι, τέρπομαι, γέγηθα (poet.) am pleased, take pleasure, ἀγαπῶ, στέργω am content, ἀγανακτῶ, ἄχθομαι, χαλεπῶς φέρω am vexed, displeased, ῥᾳδίως φέρω make light of, λῡποῦμαι grieve, ὀργίζομαι am angry, αἰσχύ̄νομαι, αἰδοῦμαι am ashamed (2126), μεταμέλομαι, μεταμέλει μοι repent. (Verbs of emotion also take ὅτι or ὡς, by which construction the object is simply stated; with the participle the connection is closer).
I like to converse with very old menχαίρω διαλεγόμενος τοῖς σφόδρα πρεσβύ̄ταις
I am not content to live on these conditionsοὐκ ἀγαπῶ ζῶν ἐπὶ τούτοις
I should not be annoyed at learningοὐκ ἂν ἀχθοίμην μανθάνων
they took it hard at abandoning their homesχαλεπῶς ἔφερον οἰκίᾱς κατελείποντες
they repented not having accepted the truceμετεμέλοντο τὰ̄ς σπονδὰ̄ς οὐ δεξάμενοι
I do not repent having made such a defenceοὔ μοι μεταμέλει οὕτως ἀπολογησαμένῳ
a. The participle agrees with the case of the person in regard to whom the emotion is manifested: ἀκούοντες χαίρουσιν ἐξεταζομένοις τοῖς οἰομένοις μὲν εἶναι σοφοῖς, οὖσι δ᾽ οὔ they like to hear the examination of those who pretend to be wise, but are not so in reality P. A. 33c. This construction must be distinguished from that occurring in poetry, whereby verbs like χαίρω and ἄχθομαι (which commonly take the dative) often admit the accusative and the participle:
for the gods do not rejoice at the death of the righteousτοὺς γὰρ εὐσεβεῖς θεοὶ θνῄσκοντας οὐ χαίρουσι
b. So with verbs meaning to satiate oneself:
you could not satiate yourself with promisesὑπισχνούμενος οὐκ ἐνεπίμπλασο
With verbs signifying to do well or ill, to surpass or be inferior, the participle specifies the manner or that in which the action of the verb consists (cp. 2048, 2062). So with καλῶς (εὖ) ποιῶ, ἀδικῶ, ἁμαρτάνω; νῑκῶ, κρατῶ, περιγίγνομαι, ἡττῶμαι, λείπομαι.
you did well in reminding meεὖ γ᾽ ἐποίησας ἀναμνήσᾱς με
he did well in ending his life thusκαλῶς ἐποίησεν οὕτως τελευτήσᾱς τὸν βίον
you will profit by hearingὀνήσεσθε ἀκούοντες
we shall not be outdone in well-doingοὐχ ἡττησόμεθα εὖ ποιοῦντες
With πειρῶμαι try, πολὺς ἔγκειμαι am urgent, πάντα ποιῶ do everything, the participle is rare in Attic; more common in Hdt. with πειρῶμαι, πολλὸς ἔγκειμαι, πολλός εἰμι am urgent, etc.
πειρᾱσόμεθα ἐλέγχοντες I shall try to prove Ant. 2. γ. 1;
he begged often and urgentlyπολλὸς ἦν λισσόμενος
With περιορῶ (and sometimes with ἐφορῶ, εἰσορῶ, προί̄εμαι), signifying overlook, allow. (But not with ἐῶ.) Cp. 2141.
μείζω γιγνόμενον τὸν ἄνθρωπον περιορῶμεν we allow the man to grow greater (we look with indifference on his growing power) D. 9.29,
I did not suffer myself to become obscureοὐ περιεῖδον ἐμαυτὸν ἄδοξον γενόμενον
they had the courage to look calmly on their city made desolate and their country being ravagedἔτλησαν ἐπιδεῖν . . . ἐρήμην μὲν τὴν πόλιν γενομένην, τὴν δὲ χώρᾱν πορθουμένην
With some impersonal expressions taking the dative, such as those signifying the advantage or consequence of an action (it is fitting, profitable, good, etc.), and those implying confidence or fear. (The personal construction is often preferred.)
ἐπηρώτων τὸν θεόν, εἰ (αὐτοῖς)
they asked the god whether it would be better for them to make warπολεμοῦσιν ἄμεινον ἔσται
if it is pleasing to him to be called thusκεκλημένῳ
to whom the settlement of the place was a menaceοἷς πολέμιον ἦν τὸ χωρίον κτιζόμενον
Verbs of Knowing and Showing.—After verbs signifying to know, be ignorant of, learn (not learn of), remember, forget, show, appear, prove, acknowledge, and announce, the participle represents a dependent statement, each tense having the same force as the corresponding tense of the indicative or optative with ὅτι or ὡς, the present including also the imperfect, the perfect including also the pluperfect.
Such verbs are: οἶδα, γιγνώσκω, ἐπίσταμαι, ἐννοῶ, μανθάνω (2136), ( οὐκ ) ἀγνοῶ, μέμνημαι, ἐπιλανθάνομαι (2134), δηλῶ , ( ἐπι ) δείκνῡμι, φαίνω, ἀποφαίνω, φαίνομαι (2143), ἔοικα (2089 c, 2133), ( ἐξ- ) ἐλέγχω, ὁμολογῶ (rarely), ἀγγέλλω, ποιῶ represent (2115).
οὐ γὰρ ᾔδεσαν αὐτὸν τεθνηκότα (= τέθνηκε) for they did not know that he was dead X. A. 1.10.16, ἔγνω τὴν ἐσβολὴν ἐσομένην (= ἔσται) he knew that the invasion would take place T. 2.13, δν ὑ̄μεῖς ἐπίστασθε ἡμᾶς προδόντα (= προὔδωκε) you know that he betrayed us X. A. 6.6.17, τίς οὕτως εὐήθης ἐστὶν ὑ̄μῶν ὅστις ἀγνοεῖ τὸν ἐκεῖθεν πόλεμον δεῦρ᾽ ἥξοντα (= ἥξει); who of you is so simple-minded as not to know that the war will come hither from that quarter? D. 1.15, (Χερρόνησον) κατέμαθε πόλεις ἕνδεκα ἢ δώδεκα ἔχουσαν (= ἔχει) he learned that Chersonesus contained eleven or twelve cities X. H. 3.2.10, μέμνημαι ἀκούσᾱς (= ἤκουσα) I remember to have heard X. C. 1.6.6, μέμνημαι Κριτίᾳ τῷδε ξυνόντα σε (= ξυνῆσθα) I remember that you were in company with Critias here P. Charm. 156a, ἐπιλελήσμεσθ᾽ ἡδέως γέροντες ὄντες (= ἐσμέν) we have gladly forgotten that we are old E. Bacch. 188, δείξω (αὐτὸν) πολλῶν θανάτων ὄντ᾽ (= ἐστί)
I will show that he deserves to die many timesἄξιον
I convicted Philip of acting unjustlyφίλιππον ἐξήλεγξα
I was the first to announce that Cyrus was taking the field against himπρῶτος ἤγγειλα
a. Except with ἀγγέλλω announce (what is certain), verbs of saying or thinking rarely take the participle in prose, e.g. πᾶσι ταῦτα δεδογμένα ἡμῖν νόμιζε (= εὖ ἴσθι) think that this is our unanimous opinion P. R. 450a.
The personal constructions δῆλός εἰμι, φανερός εἰμι I am plainly (impersonal δῆλόν and φανερόν ἐστιν ὅτι) are followed by a dependent statement in the participle. Thus, δῆλος ἦν οἰόμενος (= δῆλον ἦν ὅτι οἴοιτο) it was clear that he thought X. A. 2.5.27, θύ̄ων φανερὸς ἦν πολλάκις (= φανερὸν ἦν ὅτι θύ̄οι) it was evident that he often sacrificed X. M. 1.1.2, ἀνιᾱθεὶς δῆλος ἦν (= δῆλον ἦν ὅτι ἀνιᾱθείη) he showed his dissatisfaction X. C. 2.2.3.
The participle with σύνοιδα or συγγιγνώσκω am conscious, accompanied by the dative of the reflexive pronoun, may stand either in the nominative agreeing with the subject, or in the dative agreeing with the reflexive. Thus, συνειδὼς αὐτὸς αὑτῷ ἔργον εἰργασμένος conscious (to himself) that he had done the deed Ant. 6.5,
I was conscious of knowing nothingἐμαυτῷ ξυνῄδη οὐδὲν ἐπισταμένῳ
a. When the subject is not the same as the object, the latter, with the participle, may stand in the dative, or (rarely) in the accusative. Thus, ξυνίσᾱσι Μελήτῳ μὲν ψευδομένῳ, ἐμοὶ δὲ ἀληθεύοντι they know as well as Meletus that he is lying, and (as well as I do) that I am speaking the truth P. A. 34b,
knowing that slaves participate in the contestsσυνειδὼς τῶν ἀ̄θλημάτων δούλους μετέχοντας
The use of the participle to represent a dependent statement comes from its circumstantial use. Thus, in οὐ γὰρ ᾔδεσαν αὐτὸν τεθνηκότα (2106), τεθνηκότα agrees with the object of ᾔδεσαν; and from they did not know him as dead the thought passes into they did not know (the fact) that he was dead.
Verbs of Perception.—Verbs signifying to see, perceive, hear, learn (i.e. learn by inquiry, hear of), when they denote physical (actual) perception take the participle. When they denote intellectual perception they may take the participle or ὅτι or ὡς with a finite verb. (The Homeric usage is less strict.)
Such verbs are, in Attic, ὁρῶ see, αἰσθάνομαι perceive, ἀκούω hear, πυνθάνομαι learn.
The participle may stand either not in indirect discourse or in indirect discourse.
a. Not in Indirect Discourse.—Here verbs of perceiving denote physical perception—the act perceived or heard of. With ἀκου´ω and πυνθάνομαι the participle stands in the genitive; with αἰσθάνομαι it usually stands in the accusative (as with ὁρῶ), but sometimes in the genitive. (See 1361, 1367.)
he saw Clearchus riding throughεἶδε Κλέαρχον διελαύνοντα
perceiving Lamprocles angry with his motherαἰσθόμενος Λαμπροκλέᾱ πρὸς τὴν μητέρα χαλεπαίνοντα
they heard him speakingἤκουσαν αὐτοῦ φωνήσαντος
when they learned of the capture of Pylosὡς ἐπύθοντο τῆς Πύλου κατειλημμένης
N. Verbs of physical perception, ὁρῶ (especially) and ἀκούω, regularly take the present participle in Attic prose, which usually refuses to distinguish between I see a house burning and I see a house burn. The complexive aorist, summing up the action, does however occur, as
when he saw a hind break cover he gave chaseὡς εἶδεν ἐλαφον ἐκπηδήσᾱσαν . . . ἐδίωκεν
b. In Indirect Discourse.—Here verbs of perceiving denote intellectual perception—the fact that something is perceived or heard of. With ἀκούω and πυνθάνομαι the participle stands in the accusative (as with ὁρῶ, αἰσθάνομαι). Cp. 1363, 1365, 2144, 2145.
we see that everything you say is trueὁρῶμεν πάντα ἀληθῆ ὄντα ἃ λέγετε
I perceive that this is soαἰσθάνομαι ταῦτα οὕτως ἔχοντα
he heard that Cyrus was in Ciliciaἤκουσε Κῦρον ἐν Κιλικίᾳ ὄντα
when she hears from any one that Orestes will returnὅταν κλύῃ τινὸς ἥξοντ᾽ Ὀρέστην
having learned that Artaxerxes was deadπυθόμενοι Ἀρταξέρξην τεθνηκότα
Verbs of Finding.—Verbs of finding and detecting (εὑρίσκω, (κατα)λαμβάνω; pass. ἁλίσκομαι) in their capacity as verbs of perceiving take the participle (a) not in indirect discourse, of the act or state in which a person or thing is found; or (b) in indirect discourse, of the fact that a person or thing is found in an act or state.
a. κῆρυξ ἀφικόμενος ηὗρε τοὺς ἄνδρας διεφθαρμένους the herald, on his arrival, found the men already put to death T. 2.6,
he has been found to have dealt faithfullyεὕρηται πιστῶς πρά̄ττων
if then he catch anybody else lyingἂ̄ν ἄρ᾽ ἄλλον τινὰ λαμβάνῃ ψευδόμενον
b.
they conclude that the beginning of their enmity was on account of the capture of Iliumδιὰ τὴν Ἰ̄λίου ἅλωσιν εὑρίσκουσι σφίσι ἐοῦσαν τὴν ἀρχὴν τῆς ἔχθρης
It is often difficult to distinguish the two constructions of 2113. Thus, καταλαμβάνουσι νεωστὶ στάσει τοὺς τῶν Ἀθηναίων ἐναντίους ἐκπεπτωκότας (T. 7.33) may mean they found that the anti-Athenian party had been recently expelled by a revolution (ind. disc.) or them recently expelled (not in ind. disc.). So
they found the other cities in a state of revoltκαταλαμβάνουσι . . . τἆλλα ἀφεστηκότα
ποιῶ meaning represent has the construction of the verbs of 2113. Thus, πλησιάζοντας τοὺς θεοὺς τοῖς ἀνθρώποις οἷόν τ᾽ αὐτοῖς ποιῆσαι it is possible for them (poets) to represent the gods as drawing nigh to men I. 9.9. Cp. 2142.
The participle ὤν is often omitted.
After ἅτε, οἷα, ὡς, or καίπερ, ὤν is often omitted in prose with predicate adjectives: συνδείπνους ἔλαβεν ἀμφοτέρους πρὸς ἑαυτὸν ὡς φίλους ἤδη (ὄντας) he took both to supper with him since they were now friends X. C. 3.2.25. Such omission is rare in prose except after these particles: εἰ ἥττους (ὄντες)
if we shall be caught at the mercy of our enemiesτῶν πολεμίων ληφθησόμεθα
a. In the genitive and accusative absolute the particles of 2117 usually precede when ὤν is omitted. With the genitive absolute the omission is very rare in prose: ὡς ἑτοίμων (ὄντων) χρημάτων just as though the property was at their disposal X. A. 7.8.11; but ἡμέρᾱς ἤδη (οὔσης) it being already day T. 5.59. In poetry the substantive usually suggests the verb: ὑφηγητῆρος οὐδενὸς (ὄντος) φίλων with no friend to guide him S. O. C. 1588. Accusative absolute: ὡς καλὸν (ὂν) ἀγορεύεσθαι αὐτόν on the ground that it is admirable for it (the speech) to be delivered T. 2.35. Without the particles of 2117, the omission of ὄν is poetical (S. Ant. 44). The omission of ὄν with adjectives ending in -ον aids euphony.
b. ἑκών willing, ἄ̄κων unwilling are treated like participles (2071):
against my willἐμοῦ μὲν οὐχ ἑκόντος
c. ὤν must be used when it has the force of in the capacity of.
A predicate substantive or adjective, coördinated with a participle in the same construction, may omit ὤν; as
it was not easy for them to pass through the enemy's country except in a body and after having waited for one anotherοὐ ῥᾴδιον ἦν μὴ ἁθρόοις καὶ ἀλλήλους περιμείνᾱσι διελθεῖν τὴν πολεμίᾱν
ὤν may be omitted with verbs taking a supplementary participle; so with verbs meaning to perceive (2111 ff.), know, show, announce, find, discover, etc.; especially with φαίνομαι, τυγχάνω (poet. κυρῶ), διατελῶ, διαγίγνομαι, rarely with περιορῶ and συμβαίνω. Thus, ὁρῶ μέγαν (ὄντα)
I see that the contest is importantτὸν ἀγῶνα
if Gobryas seem to be falseὁ Λωβρύᾱς
if any one happens to be friendlyτυγχάνει
you are continually without a tunicδιατελεῖς
ὡς is often used with a participle in indirect discourse to mark the mental attitude of the subject of the main verb or of some other person mentioned prominently in the sentence (cp. 2086); sometimes, to denote emphasis, when that mental attitude is already clearly marked.
ὡς μηδὲν εἰδότ᾽ ἴσθι με be assured that I know nothing (lit. understand that you are to assume that I know nothing) S. Ph. 253, δῆλος ἦν Κῦρος ὡς σπεύδων Cyrus was plainly bent on haste (Cyrus showed that it was his intention to make haste) X. A. 1.5.9.
A participle with ὡς may follow a verb of thinking or saying though the verb in question does not take the participle in indirect discourse without ὡς. Thus,
they kept insisting in the belief that they were recommending the best courseὡς τὰ βέλτιστα βουλεύοντες ἰ̄σχῡρίζοντο
So after verbs admitting the supplementary participle in indirect discourse we may have the genitive or accusative absolute with ὡς instead of the participle or a clause with ὅτι or ὡς. Thus, ὡς πολέμου ὄντος παρ᾽ ὑ̄μῶν ἀπαγγελῶ; shall I report from you (on the assumption) that there is war? X. A. 2.1.21, ὡς ἐμοῦ οὖν ἰόντος, ὅπῃ καὶ ὑ̄μεῖς, οὕτω τὴν γνώμην ἔχετε make up your minds (on the assumption) that I am going wherever you go (= be sure that I am going, etc.) 1. 3. 6 (here τὴν γνώμην ἔχετε could not take the participle without ὡς); ὡς πάνυ μοι δοκοῦν, οὕτως ἴσθι rest assured that it is my decided opinion (lit. on the assumption that this seems so to me, understand accordingly) X. M. 4.2.30. For ὡς with the absolute participle not in indirect discourse, see 2086 d.
Some verbs admit either the supplementary participle or the infinitive, sometimes with only a slight difference in meaning. Cases where the difference is marked are given below. (Most of the verbs in question admit also a substantive clause with ὅτι or ὡς, 2577).
Infinitive and participle here differ greatly when the infinitive expresses purpose or result. Where the infinitive shows only its abstract verbal meaning it differs but little from the participle (cp. 2144).
A participle or infinitive standing in indirect discourse is indicated in 2126-2143 by O (ratio) O (bliqua); when not standing in O. O. this fact is ordinarily not indicated.
αἰσχύ̄νομαι and αἰδοῦμαι with part. (2100) = I am ashamed of doing something which I do; with inf. = I am ashamed to do something which I have refrained from doing up to the present time and may never do. Thus,
I am not ashamed of saying this; but the following I should be ashamed to sayτοῦτο μὲν οὐκ αἰσχύ̄νομαι λέγων· τὸ δὲ . . . αἰσχῡνοίμην ἂν λέγειν
I am ashamed to speak the truth to you; nevertheless it must be spokenαἰσχύ̄νομαι οὖν ὑ̄μῖν εἰπεῖν τἀ̄ληθῆ, ὅμως δὲ ῥητέον
ἀνέχομαι (2098; rarely with the inf.), * τλάω and τολμῶ (both rarely with the part. in poetry), ὑπομένω : with part. = endure, submit to something that is present or past; with inf. venture or have the courage to do something in the future. Thus,
they submitted to sufferπάσχοντες ἠνείχοντο
they had the courage to receive the invader of their countryἀνέσχοντο τὸν ἐπιόντα ἐπὶ τὴν χώρᾱν δέξασθαι
he submitted to be struckἐτόλμᾱ βαλλόμενος
sapere audeτόλμησον ὀρθῶς φρονεῖν
he cannot stand being improvedοὐχ ὑπομένει ὠφελούμενος
if they shall dare to raise their hands against meεἰ ὑμομενέουσι χεῖρας ἐμοὶ ἀνταειρόμενοι
ἄρχομαι , cp. 1734 (Hom. ἄρχω) with part. (2098), begin to do something and continue with something else; with inf. (usually present, cp. 1865 b) begin to do something and continue with the same thing. Thus, ἄρξομαι διδάσκων ἐκ τῶν θείων I will begin my instruction with things divine (later the subject is the desire for wealth) X. C. 8.8.2, πόθεν ἤρξατό σε διδάσκειν τὴν στρατηγίᾱν; at what point did he begin to teach you generalship? X. M. 3.1.5. ἄρχομαι with the participle occurs only in Xenophon and Plato.
γιγνώσκω with part. in O. O. (2106) = recognize that something is; with inf. in three uses: (1) in O. O. = judge (decide) that something is (a verb of will), as
they judged that it was more profitableἔγνωσαν κερδαλεώτερον εἶναι
he resolved to pursue those who were hanging on his leftἔγνω διώκειν τοὺς ἐκ τῶν εὐωνύμων προσκειμένους
learn to control thy temperγίγνωσκε τῆς ὀργῆς κρατεῖν
δείκνῡμι with part. in O. O. (2106) = show that something is; with inf. (ἀποδείκνῡμι) not in O. O. = show how to do something, instruct. Thus,
the guides directed them to take provisionsἀπέδειξαν οἱ ἡγεμόνες λαμβάνειν τὰ ἐπιτήδεια
δηλῶ with part. (and inf.) in O. O. (2106) = show that sometking is, indicate; with inf. not in O. O. = command, make known, signify; as in κηρύ̄γματι ἐδήλου τοὺς ἐλευθερίᾱς δεομένους ὡς πρὸς σύμμαχον αὐτὸν παρεῖναι he made known by proclamation that those who wanted freedom should come to him as an ally X. Ag. 1. 33.
δοκιμάζω with part. in O. O. (2106) = prove to be, as
what sort of persons you proved yourselves to be in regard to the cityὁποῖοί τινες ὄντες αὐτοὶ περὶ τὴν πόλιν ἐδοκιμάσθητε
we approved the idea that tilling of the soil is the best occupation for a gentlemanἐδοκιμάσαμεν ἀνδρὶ καλῷ τε κἀ̄γαθῷ ἐργασίᾱν εἶναι . . . κρατίστην γεωργίᾱν
ἔοικα (1983, 2089 c) with nom. part. = appear, oftener with dat. part. (strictly = am like), appear; with inf. = seem. Thus,
you appear to take delight in despotisms rather than in constitutional governmentsἐοίκατε τυραννίσι μᾶλλον ἢ πολῑτείαις ἡδόμενοι
he seems not to knowοὐκ ἔοικεν εἰδέναι
methinks I pity theeἔοικα ἐποικτί̄ρειν σε
ἐπιλανθάνομαι with part. in O. O. (2106) = forget that something is; with inf. not in O. O. = forget (how) to do something. Thus,
I have almost forgotten to mentionὀλίγου ἐπελαθόμεθ᾽ εἰπεῖν
εὑρίσκω with part. in O. O. = judge and not in O. O. (2113) = find that something is; less often with inf. in O. O. = judge, as εὕρισκε ταῦτα καιριώτατα εἶναι he found (judged) that this was the most opportune way Hdt. 1.125. ευ<*>ρίσκομαι rarely with inf. = find how to (E. Med. 196), procure by asking (Hdt. 9.28).
μανθάνω with part. in O. O. (2106) = learn that something is; with inf. not in O. O. = learn (how) to do something. Thus,
you do not perceive that you have been calumniatedδιαβεβλημένος οὐ μανθάνεις
if we once learn to live in idlenessἂ̄ν ἅπαξ μάθωμεν ἀ̄ργοὶ ζῆν
μεθί̄ημι (let go), etc., with part. = leave off; with inf. = neglect, permit. Thus,
for he did not stop coming after themοὐ γὰρ ἀνίει ἐπιών
they neglect to perform their dutiesμεθῑᾶσι τὰ δέοντα πρά̄ττειν
allowing me to speakμεθεῖσά μοι λέγειν
μέμνημαι with part. in O. O. (2106) = remember that something is; with inf. not in O. O. = remember to do something. Thus,
let in him be mindful to be a brave manμεμνήσθω ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς εἶναι
οἶδα and ἐπίσταμαι with part. in O. O. (2106) = know that something is; with inf. not in O. O. = know how to do something. Thus,
knowing how to swimἐπιστάμενος νεῖν
we know that he has never yet spoken falsehoodἐπιστάμεθα μή πώ ποτ᾽ αὐτὸν ψεῦδος λακεῖν
παύω with part. (2098) = stop what is taking place; with inf. = prevent something from taking place. Thus,
they stopped their terror at the number of shipsἔπαυσαν φοβουμένους πλῆθος νεῶν
preventing the merchantman from drawing nearπαύσαντες τὸ μὴ προσελθεῖν ἐγγὺς τὴν ὁλκάδα
περιορῶ , etc. (2103) with pres. part. = view with indifference, with aor. part. = shut one's eyes to; with inf. = let something happen through negligence, or simply permit (ἐᾶν). Thus, περιεῖδε τὸν αὑτοῦ πατέρα καὶ ζῶντα τῶν ἀναγκαίων σπανίζοντα καὶ τελευτήσαντ᾽ ου᾽ τυχόντα τῶν νομίμων he looked on with indifference while his own father was in want of necessities when alive and (shut his eyes) to his failure to receive the customary rites after he had passed away Dinarchus 2. 8,
it did not seem likely that the Acharnians would shut their eyes to the destruction of their propertyοἱ Ἀχαρνῆς . . . οὐ περιόψεσθαι ἐδόκουν τὰ σφέτερα διαφθαρέντα
ποιῶ . with part. (2115) = represent; with inf. not in O. O. = cause, effect; with inf. in O. O. = assume. Thus,
causes the others to lose their namesἀνωνύμους τοὺς ἄλλους εἶναι ποιεῖ
φαίνομαι with part in O. O. (2106) = I am plainly; with inf. in O. O. = I seem or it appears (but may not be true) that I. Thus, φαίνεται τἀ̄ληθῆ λέγων he is evidently speaking the truth, φαίνεται τἀ̄ληθῆ λέγειν he appears to be speaking the truth (but he may be lying). Cp. τῇ φωνῇ . . . κλαίειν ἐφαίνετο lit. by his voice it appeared that he was weeping (but he was not weeping) X. S. 1. 15. The above distinction is, however, not always maintained.
The following verbs take either the participle or the infinitive (in O. O.) with no (or only slight) difference in meaning:
αἰσθάνομαι, ἀκούω, πυνθάνομαι (2112), ἀγγέλλω (2106), καθίζω (2105) and καθίστημι, παρασκευάζομαι, ὁμολογῶ (2106), πειρῶμαι (2102), ἐπιτρέπω and νομίζω (part. rare), ἀποκάμνω (inf. rare), θαυμάζω wonder, τίθημι suppose, the expressions of 2104, etc. Both infinitive and participle with πυνθάνομαι in Hdt. 5.15, 8. 40.
Verbs of intellectual perception (2112 b) take also ὅτι or ὡς. So with ἀκούω, αἰσθάνομαι, πυνθάνομαι. Cp.
ἀκούω with gen. part. = I hear (with my own ears).
ἀκούω with accus. part. = I hear (through others, i.e. I am told) that.
ἀκούω with inf. = I hear (of general, not certain knowledge, as by report) that.
The participle with ἄν represents the indicative with ἄν (1784 ff.) or the potential optative with ἄν (1824). The present participle with ἄν thus represents either the imperfect indicative with ἄν or the present optative with ἄν; the aorist participle with ἄν represents either the aorist indicative with ἄν or the aorist optative with ἄν. Cp. 1845 ff.
The abundance of its participles is one of the characteristic features of Greek. Their use gives brevity to the sentence (cp. 2050), enabling the writer to set forth in a word modifications and amplifications of the main thought for which we require cumbersome relative clauses. But an excessive use of participles, especially in close conjunction, marked a careless style.
a. The participle may contain the leading thought, the finite verb the subordinate thought, of a sentence. Thus, τὸ ψήφισμα τοῦτο γράφω . . . τοὺς ὅρκους τὴν ταχίστην ἀπολαμβάνειν, ἵν᾽ ἐχόντων τῶν Θρᾳκῶν . . . ταῦτα τὰ χωρία, ἃ νῦν οὖτος διέσῡρε . . ., οὕτω γίγνοινθ᾽ οἱ ὅρκοι I moved this bill that the envoys should with all speed receive Philip's oaths in order that when the oaths were taken the Thracians might be in possession of the places which the plaintiff has just now been ridiculing (lit. while the Thracians were in possession, etc. . . . the oaths might under these circumstances be ratified) D. 18.27, βούλομαι ὀλίγα ἑκατέρους ἀναμνήσᾱς καταβαίνειν I wish to recall a few things to the memory of each party and then sit down (descend from the bema) L. 12.92. Cp. also 2096, 2099.
b. The participle may repeat the stem and meaning of the finite verb. Thus, καὶ εὐχόμενος ἄν τις ταῦτα εὔξαιτο and some one might (praying) utter this prayer Ant. 6.1.
c. A participial construction may pass over into a construction with a finite verb. Thus, μάρτυρα μὲν . . . οὐδένα παρασχόμενος . . . παρεκελεύετο δέ κτλ. lit. producing on the one hand no witness . . . on the other hand he exhorted, etc. D. 57.11, προσέβαλον τῷ τειχίσματι, ἄλλῳ τε τρόπῳ πειρά̄σαντες καὶ μηχανὴν προσήγαγον lit. they attacked the rampart both making trial in other ways, and they brought up an engine (i.e. and after trying other devices brought up an engine) T. 4.100.
d. A participle may be used in close connection with a relative or interrogative pronoun. Thus,
not even calculating what had been the conduct of the men for whom you were going to risk your livesοὐδ᾽ ὑπὲρ οἷα πεποιηκότων ἀνθρώπων κινδῡνεύσετε διαλογισάμενοι
e. In contrasts, two subjects may, by anacoluthon, belong to one participle in the nominative, though the participle belongs to only one subject (T. 3.34. 3).
f. Two or more participles may be coördinated without any connective. This is common in Homer when one participle forms a contrast to, or intensifies, another participle. Cp. ἦ καὶ ἐπῶρτ᾽ Ἀχιλῆι κυκώμενος ὑψόσε θύ̄ων, μορμύ̄ρων ἀφρῷ κτλ. he spake, and swelling in tumult rushed upon Achilles, raging on high, roaring with foam, etc. Φ 324. This is very rare in prose (Aes. 3.94).
g. In prose such coördination without any connective is incomplete, one participle, e.g., often defining another, as in ὁ Κῦρος ὑπολαβὼν τοὺς φεύγοντας συλλέξᾱς στράτευμα ἐπολιόρκει Μί̄λητον taking the exiles under his protection, Cyrus collected an army, and laid siege to Miletus X. A. 1.1.7. So even when the participles are connected, as ξηρά̄νᾱς τὴν διώρυχα καὶ παρατρέψᾱς ἄλλῃ τὸ ὕδωρ by draining the canal and (i.e. in consequence of) diverting the water elsewhere T. 1.109. One participle may be appositive to another. Thus,
by making a review in the presence of the cavalry, alleging that they wished to find out how many they were, they ordered all to inscribe themselvesἐξέτασιν ποιήσαντες ἐν τοῖς ἱππεῦσι, φάσκοντες εἰδέναι βούλεσθαι πόσοι εἶεν . . ., ἐκέλευον ἀπογράφεσθαι πάντας
h. A participle with case absolute may be coördinated with a participle not in an absolute case. Thus,
they were much encouraged on the arrival of the ship and on hearing of the success which was unhoped forοἱ δὲ ἀφικομένης τῆς νεὼς καὶ ἀνέλπιστον τὴν εὐτυχίᾱν ἀκούσαντες . . . πολὺ ἐπερρώσθησαν
we came summoned or at no one's callμεταπεμφθέντες ἤλθομεν ἢ οὐδενὸς καλέσαντος
i. A finite verb may have two or more participles attached to it in different relations. Thus,
the light-armed troops after running forward and crossing the ravine, proceed to attack the stronghold on seeing quantities of sheepοἱ πελτασταὶ προδραμόντες . . . διαβάντες τὴν χαράδρᾱν, ὁρῶντες πρόβατα πολλὰ . . . προσέβαλλον πρὸς τὸ χωρίον
j. A participle may be added predicatively to another participle, and often follows the article belonging to the main participle. Thus,
those who were being left behind aliveοἱ ζῶντες καταλειπόμενοι
k. A participle is often omitted when it can be supplied from the context. Thus, ὡρμίσαντο καὶ αὐτοὶ . . . ἐπειδὴ καὶ τοὺς Ἀθηναίους (ὁρμισαμένους)
they too came to anchor when they saw that the Athenians had done soεἶδον
The participle often agrees with the logical, and not with the grammatical, subject. The participle thus often agrees with the subject of the finite verb which the writer had in mind when he began the sentence, but for which he later substitutes another verb; or the participle may later be used as if in agreement with the subject of another finite verb than the one actually employed.
a. A participle in the nominative may belong to a finite verb requiring an oblique case. Thus, ἀποβλέψᾱς πρὸς τοῦτον τὸν στόλον . . ., ἔδοξέ μοι πάγκαλος εἶναι (= ἡγησάμην πάγκαλον εἶναι) on looking at this expedition, it seemed to me to be very admirable P. L. 686d, ἔχοντες . . . ἀρχὴν μεγίστην . . ., ὅμως οὐδὲν τούτων ἡμᾶς ἐπῆρε (= οὐδενὶ τούτων ἐπήρθημεν)
although we possessed the greatest empire . . . levertheless none of these reasons induced us to do wrongἐξαμαρτεῖν
b. Two or more substantives or pronouns with their participles may stand in partitive apposition (981) to the logical subject. Thus, τὰ περὶ Πύλον ὑπ᾽ ἀμφοτέρων κατὰ κράτος ἐπολεμεῖτο (= ἀμφότεροι ἐπολέμουν),
the war at Pylus was vigorously waged by both sides, the Athenians on their part by sailing around the island . . . the Peloponnesians by encamping on the mainlandἈθηναῖοι μὲν . . . τὴν νῆσον περιπλέοντες . . ., Πελοποννήσιοι δὲ ἐν τῇ ἡπείρῳ στρατοπεδευόμενοι
bitter words flew loud from one to another, watchman accusing watchmanλόγοι δ᾽ ἐν ἀλλήλοισιν ἐρρόθουν κακοί, φύλαξ ἐλέγχων φύλακα
one spoke to the other in astonishmentθαυμάζοντες ἄλλος ἄλλῳ ἔλεγεν
c. Without regard to the following construction, a participle may stand in the nominative. The use of the genitive absolute would here be proper, but would cause the main subject of the thought to occupy a subordinate position. Thus, ἐπιπεσὼν τῇ Φαρναβάζου στρατοπεδείᾳ, τῆς μὲν προφυλακῆς αὐτοῦ Μῡσῶν ὄντων πολλοὶ ἔπεσον attacking the camp of Pharnabazus, he slew a large number (= πολλοὺς ἀπέκτεινε) of Mysians who constituted his advance guard X. H. 4.1.24.
N. The nominative participle is sometimes found in clauses without a finite verb, but only when some finite verb is to be supplied (cp. Ψ 546), as with εἰ, ἐά̄ν, ὅταν (X. M. 2.1.23); with ὅσα μή as far as is possible (T. 1.111); in replies in dialogue, where it stands in apposition to the subject of the preceding sentence (P. Ph. 74b); or is interposed as a parenthesis (εὖ ποιοῦν in D. 23.143).
d. Likewise a participle may stand in the accusative or (rarely) in the dative when the construction demands another case. Thus, σοὶ δὲ συγγνώμη (= συγγνώμη ἐστὶ σὲ)
it is excusable for thee to speak thus, since thou dost not suffer cruelly as I doλέγειν τάδ᾽ ἐστί, μὴ πάσχουσαν ὡς ἐγὼ κακῶς
Aristeus decided to keep his own forces at the Isthmus and watch for the Atheniansτὸ μὲν μεθ᾽ ἑαυτοῦ στρατόπεδον ἔχοντι ἐν τῷ ἰσθμῷ ἐπιτηρεῖν τοὺς Ἀθηναίους