C.W. Shelmerdine
Introduction to Greek
2nd edition
(Newburyport, MA: Focus, 2008)
Chapter 16
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
3. Comparison with ἤ and the genitive of
comparison
4. Some uses of the genitive
5. Some uses of the dative
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
3. Comparison with ἤ and the genitive of
comparison
4. Some uses of the genitive
5. Some uses of the dative
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
•
•
•
The textbook gives the forms of the combination 1st and 3rd
declension adjective τάλας τάλαινα τάλαν “wretched.”
Only two adjectives in Greek follow this pattern, this one
and μέλας μέλαινα μέλαν “black.”
Neither of these are in your Core Vocabulary, so you are
not responsible for this pattern.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
•
Two common adjectives have normal 1st and 2nd
declension endings except for the masc/neut
nom/acc/voc forms.
–
–
μέγας μεγάλη μέγα “big”
πολύς πολλή πολύ “much, many”
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
Thus the masculine forms of the adjective μέγας
μεγάλη μέγα “big”
singular
μέγας
μεγάλου
μεγάλῳ
μέγαν
μεγάλε
plural
μεγάλοι
μεγάλων
μεγάλοις
μεγάλους
Voc. = nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
The feminine forms of the adjective μέγας μεγάλη
μέγα “big” are completely regular.
singular
μεγάλη
μεγάλης
μεγάλῃ
μεγάλην
Voc. = nom.
plural
μεγάλαι
μεγάλων
μεγάλαις
μεγάλας
Voc. = nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
Thus the neuter forms of the adjective μέγας μεγάλη
μέγα “big”
singular
μέγα
μεγάλου
μεγάλῳ
Acc. = nom.
Voc. = nom.
plural
μεγάλα
μεγάλων
μεγάλοις
Acc. = nom.
Voc. = nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
•
Two common adjectives have normal 1st and 2nd
declension endings except for the masc/neut
nom/acc/voc forms.
–
–
μέγας μεγάλη μέγα “big”
πολύς πολλή πολύ “much, many”
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
Thus the masculine forms of the adjective πολύς
πολλή πολύ “much, many”
singular
πολύς
πολλοῦ
πολλῷ
πολύν
πολύς
plural
πολλοί
πολλῶν
πολλοῖς
πολλούς
Voc. = nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
The feminine forms of the adjective πολύς πολλή
πολύ “much, many” are completely regular.
singular
πολλή
πολλῆς
πολλῇ
πολλήν
Voc. = nom.
plural
πολλαί
πολλῶν
πολλαῖς
πολλάς
Voc. = nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
3. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
Thus the neuter forms of the adjective πολύς πολλή
πολύ “much, many”
singular
πολύ
πολλοῦ
πολλῷ
Acc. = nom.
Voc. = nom.
plural
πολλά
πολλῶν
πολλοῖς
Acc. = nom.
Voc. = nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
3. Comparison with ἤ and the genitive of
comparison
4. Some uses of the genitive
5. Some uses of the dative
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
•
Recall the rules and forms for adjectives from Chapter 7.
Like the definite article, adjectives always agree with
nouns in gender, number, and case.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
Adjectives use the same endings as nouns of the
1st and 2nd declension, differentiated by gender:
–
–
–
When modifying a masculine noun, the adjective uses
2nd declension masculine endings (like λόγος)
When modifying a feminine noun, the adjective uses
1st declension endings (like τιμή)
When modifying a neuter noun, the adjective uses 2nd
declension neuter endings (like ζυγόν)
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
When modifying a masculine noun, the
adjective uses 2nd declension masculine endings
(like λόγος). Hence σοφός -ή -όν “wise”
singular
σοφός
σοφοῦ
σοφῷ
σοφόν
σοφέ
plural
σοφοί
σοφῶν
σοφοῖς
σοφούς
Voc. = nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
When modifying a feminine noun, the adjective
uses 1st declension endings (like τιμή). Hence
σοφός -ή -όν “wise”
singular
Nom. σοφή
Gen. σοφῆς
Dat. σοφῇ
Acc. σοφήν
Voc. = Nom.
plural
Nom. σοφαί
Gen. σοφῶν
Dat. σοφαῖς
Acc. σοφάς
Voc. = Nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
But, as with first declension nouns, if the stem of
the adjective ends in ε, ι, or ρ, then a long α
replaces the η in the singular (like χώρα).
Hence φίλιος -α -ον “friendly,” when it
modifies a feminine singular noun: singular
Nom. φιλία
Gen. φιλίας
Dat. φιλίᾳ
Acc. φιλίαν
Voc. = Nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
When modifying a neuter noun, the adjective
uses 2nd declension neuter endings (like ζυγόν).
Hence σοφός -ή -όν “wise”
singular
σοφόν
σοφοῦ
σοφῷ
Acc. = nom.
Voc. = nom.
plural
σοφά
σοφῶν
σοφοῖς
Acc. = nom.
Voc. = nom.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
In a vocabulary, glossary, lexicon, or dictionary,
a Greek adjective is listed by its
(1) masculine nominative singular
(2) feminine nominative singular ending
(3) neuter nominative singular ending
– σοφός -ή -όν “wise”
– φίλιος -α -ον “friendly”
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
parse/parsing
• MASCULINE, FEMININE, or NEUTER
• SINGULAR or PLURAL
• NOMINATIVE, GENITIVE, DATIVE,
ACCUSATIVE, or VOCATIVE
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
“Comparison” of adjectives refers to forming the
different degrees of adjectives
–
Positive degree is the regular form of the adjective
• σοφός -ή -όν “wise”
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
“Comparison” of adjectives refers to forming the
different degrees of adjectives
–
Comparative degree means the adjective has more
of its quality than someone or something else
• σοφώτερος -α -ον “wiser”
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
“Comparison” of adjectives refers to forming the
different degrees of adjectives
–
Superlative degree means the adjective has the most
of its quality
• σοφώτατος -η -ον “wisest”
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
•
An ο or ω appears between the stem of the adjective and
the τερ/τατ marker of change in degree.
Generally speaking, the length of this vowel is opposite
that of the preceding vowel.
• μωρότερος -α -ον
σοφώτερος -α -ον
long short
•
short long
Since the comparative marker -τερ- ends in ρ, the
feminine singular regularly will use α in place of η (like
φίλιος -α -ον).
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
•
As in English, some adjectives form their
comparatives and superlatives differently.
Chapter 23 will focus on these irregular
comparisons.
• ἀγαθός -ή -όν “good”
• ἀμείνων -ον “better”
• ἄριστος -η -ον “best”
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
3. Comparison with ἤ and the genitive of
comparison
4. Some uses of the genitive
5. Some uses of the dative
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
3. The use of ἤ and the genitive of comparison
•
When an adjective appears in the comparative degree, Greek
uses the word ἤ to mean “than,” comparing two nouns in the
same case.
αἱ κάμηλοι δεινότεροι ἦσαν τοῖς στρατιώταις ἢ οἱ
ναῦται.
•
–
•
The camels were more terrible to the soldiers than the sailors (were).
αἱ κάμηλοι δεινότεροι ἦσαν τοῖς στρατιώταις ἢ τοῖς
ναύταις.
–
The camels were more terrible to the soldiers than to the sailors.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
3. The use of ἤ and the genitive of comparison
•
When an adjective appears in the comparative degree, Greek
uses the word ἤ to mean “than,” comparing two nouns in the
same case.
ἡ τοῦ ποιητοῦ γυνὴ σοφωτέρα ἐστὶν ἢ ἡ τοῦ δούλου.
•
–
•
The poet’s wife is wiser than the slave’s (wife).
ἡ τοῦ ποιητοῦ γυνὴ σοφωτέρα ἐστὶν ἢ ὁ δοῦλος.
–
The poet’s wife is wiser than the slave.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
η! What’s that?
Pay close attention to the accent and breathing of ἤ, so you do not confuse
it with other words of totally different meaning.
•
ἤ or ἢ (smooth breathing, acute or grave accent)
–
–
•
“than” with a comparative
“or” otherwise
ἡ (rough breathing, no accent)
–
•
“the” fem. nom. sg. of definite article
ἥ or ἣ (rough breathing, acute or grave accent)
–
•
“who, which” fem. nom. sg. of relative pronoun
ἦ (smooth breathing, circumflex accent)
–
•
“I was” 1st sg. imperfect indicative active of εἰμί “be”
ᾗ (rough breathing, circumflex accent, iota subscript)
–
“to whom, to which, where” fem. dat. sg. of relative pronoun
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
3. The use of ἤ and the genitive of comparison
•
When an adjective appears in the comparative
degree, to say “x is more something than y,” y can
appear in the genitive case, without the word ἤ.
This use of the genitive is called the “genitive of
comparison.”
•
–
ὁ Σωκράτης σοφώτερος ἦν τῶν ἄλλων.
•
Socrates was wiser than the others.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
3. Comparison with ἤ and the genitive of
comparison
4. Some uses of the genitive
5. Some uses of the dative
Shelmerdine Chapter 15
4. Some uses of the genitive
•
The partitive genitive means the genitive
literally refers to the whole or a group from
which a part is designated and usually translates
smoothly to “of” in English:
–
οἱ σοφώτατοι τῶν ἀνδρῶν
•
–
the wisest of the men
πολὺ τοῦ ἄστεως
•
–
much of the town
ἐκάστη τῶν νεῶν
•
each of the ships
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
4. Some uses of the genitive
•
The partitive genitive means the genitive
literally refers to the whole or a group from
which a part is designated and usually translates
smoothly to “of” in English:
•
ὁ Σωκράτης ἦν σοφώτατος τῶν τότε.
–
•
Socrates was the wisest of the people of that time.
ὁ Σωκράτης σοφώτατος ἦν τῶν Ἀθηναίων.
–
Socrates was the wisest of the Athenians.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
4. Some uses of the genitive
•
In both Greek and English, the subject-verb-object
combination can be conveyed entirely with nouns. Just as
English uses “of” in this construction, Greek uses the
Genitive case:
οἱ στράτηγοι θύουσι τοὺς βοῦς.
•
–
•
The generals (subject) sacrifice (verb) the oxen (object).
ἀγγέλομεν τῶν στρατήγων τὴν θύσιαν.
–
•
We announce the generals’ (subjective genitive) sacrifice (noun).
ἀγγέλομεν τὴν θύσιαν τῶν βοῶν.
–
We announce the sacrifice (noun) of the oxen (objective genitive).
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
1. μέγας, πολύς and adjectives of the
τάλας type
2. Regular comparison of adjectives
3. Comparison with ἤ and the genitive of
comparison
4. Some uses of the genitive
5. Some uses of the dative
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
5. Some uses of the dative
•
Recall that the means or instrument for
accomplishing something regularly goes in the
dative case:
ὁ κριτὴς ἔλεξε μεγάλῃ φωνῇ.
•
–
•
The judge spoke with a loud voice.
ἔφυγον μακρᾷ ὁδῷ.
–
They fled using a long road.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
5. Some uses of the dative
•
When the means is an abstract noun, this usage
seems more adverbial and is traditionally called
the dative of manner:
ὁ κριτὴς ἔλεξε πολλῇ σοφίᾳ.
•
–
•
The judge spoke with much wisdom.
ἔφυγον φόβῳ.
–
They fled in fear.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
5. Some uses of the dative
•
Another extension of the dative of means or
instrument occurs with comparatives, the degree of
difference:
•
ὁ Σωκράτης πολλῷ σοφώτερος ἦν τῶν ἄλλων.
–
•
Socrates was much wiser than the others (by means of much).
ὀλίγαις ἡμέραις ἡ ὁδὸς αὐτῶν ἦν μακροτέρα.
–
Their journey was a few days longer (longer by a few days).
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
5. Some uses of the dative
•
Recall that the dative is generally used for a
secondary (indirect) object. The dative of
(dis)advantage indicates that this secondary object
receives benefit or harm:
ἔγραψε νόμους τοῖς πολίταις.
•
–
•
He wrote laws for the citizens.
οἱ χειμῶνες κίνδυνός εἰσι τοῖς ναύταις.
–
Storms are a danger for sailors.
Greece Egypt
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
τοῖς δὲ Αἰγυπτίοις οἱ πολλοὶ κώνωπες ἄλγος εἰσίν. οἳ μὲν
οὖν τὰς κώμας ἄνω τῶν λιμνῶν ἔχουσιν ἀναβαίνουσιν
εἰς πύργους ὑψηλοὺς καὶ ἐκεῖ καθεύδουσιν· οἱ γὰρ
κώνωπες διὰ τοὺς ἀνέμους οὐχ οἷοί τ' εἰσὶν ἀναβαίνειν·
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
τοῖς δὲ Αἰγυπτίοις οἱ πολλοὶ κώνωπες ἄλγος εἰσίν.
οἳ μὲν οὖν τὰς κώμας ἄνω τῶν λιμνῶν ἔχουσιν
ἀναβαίνουσιν εἰς πύργους ὑψηλοὺς
καὶ ἐκεῖ καθεύδουσιν·
οἱ γὰρ κώνωπες διὰ τοὺς ἀνέμους
οὐχ οἷοί τ' εἰσὶν ἀναβαίνειν·
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
τοῖς δὲ Αἰγυπτίοις οἱ πολλοὶ κώνωπες ἄλγος εἰσίν.
οἳ μὲν οὖν τὰς κώμας ἄνω τῶν λιμνῶν ἔχουσιν
ἀναβαίνουσιν εἰς πύργους ὑψηλοὺς
καὶ ἐκεῖ καθεύδουσιν·
οἱ γὰρ κώνωπες διὰ τοὺς ἀνέμους
οὐχ οἷοί τ' εἰσὶν ἀναβαίνειν·
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
οἱ δὲ περὶ τὰς λίμνας Αἰγύπτιοι ἀντὶ τῶν πύργων τὰ
σώματα ὧδε φυλάττουσιν· ἕκαστος ἀνὴρ αὐτῶν
ἀμφίβληστρον ἔχει, ᾧ τῆς μὲν ἡμέρας ἰχθῦς θηρεύει, τῆς
δὲ νυκτὸς περὶ κοίτην βάλλει τὸ ἀμφίβληστρον καὶ ὑπ'
αὐτῷ καθεῦδει. εἰ γὰρ μόνον ἐν ἱματίῳ καθεύδει, οἱ
κώνωπες δι' αὐτοῦ δάκνουσιν, διὰ δὲ τοῦ ἀμφιβλήστρου
οὔ.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
οἱ δὲ περὶ τὰς λίμνας Αἰγύπτιοι ἀντὶ τῶν πύργων
τὰ σώματα ὧδε φυλάττουσιν·
ἕκαστος ἀνὴρ αὐτῶν ἀμφίβληστρον ἔχει,
ᾧ τῆς μὲν ἡμέρας ἰχθῦς θηρεύει,
τῆς δὲ νυκτὸς περὶ κοίτην βάλλει τὸ ἀμφίβληστρον
καὶ ὑπ' αὐτῷ καθεῦδει.
εἰ γὰρ μόνον ἐν ἱματίῳ καθεύδει,
οἱ κώνωπες δι' αὐτοῦ δάκνουσιν,
διὰ δὲ τοῦ ἀμφιβλήστρου οὔ.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
οἱ δὲ περὶ τὰς λίμνας Αἰγύπτιοι ἀντὶ τῶν πύργων
τὰ σώματα ὧδε φυλάττουσιν·
ἕκαστος ἀνὴρ αὐτῶν ἀμφίβληστρον ἔχει,
ᾧ τῆς μὲν ἡμέρας ἰχθῦς θηρεύει,
τῆς δὲ νυκτὸς περὶ κοίτην βάλλει τὸ ἀμφίβληστρον
καὶ ὑπ' αὐτῷ καθεῦδει.
εἰ γὰρ μόνον ἐν ἱματίῳ καθεύδει,
οἱ κώνωπες δι' αὐτοῦ δάκνουσιν,
διὰ δὲ τοῦ ἀμφιβλήστρου οὔ.
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
12. εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς κηρύσσεται ὅτι ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγήγερται,
πῶς λέγουσιν ἐν ὑμῖν τινες ὅτι ἀνάστασις νεκρῶν οὐκ
ἔστιν;
ἀνάστασις –εως ἡ resurrection
ἐγείρω, ἐγερῶ, ἤγειρα, --, ἐγήργημαι, ἠγέρθην
raise, resurrect
ἐγήγερται “has been raised”
κηρύσσω proclaim, preach
νεκρός –ά –όν dead
ὅτι that, because
πῶς how
τινες (nom. pl.) some
ὑμῖν (dat. pl.) y'all
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
12. εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς κηρύσσεται
ὅτι ἐκ νεκρῶν ἐγήγερται,
πῶς λέγουσιν ἐν ὑμῖν τινες
ὅτι ἀνάστασις νεκρῶν οὐκ ἔστιν;
ἀνάστασις –εως ἡ "resurrection"
ἐγείρω, ἐγερῶ, ἤγειρα, --, ἐγήργημαι, ἠγέρθην
raise, resurrect
ἐγήγερται “has been raised”
κηρύσσω proclaim, preach
νεκρός –ά –όν dead
ὅτι that, because
πῶς how
τινες (nom. pl.) some
ὑμῖν (dat. pl.) y'all
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
13. εἰ δὲ ἀνάστασις νεκρῶν οὐκ ἔστιν,
οὐδὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται·
14. εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς οὐκ ἐγήγερται,
κενὸν ἄρα [καὶ] τὸ κήρυγμα ἡμῶν,
κενὴ καὶ ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν,
15. εὑρισκόμεθα δὲ καὶ ψευδομάρτυρες τοῦ θεοῦ,
ὅτι ἐμαρτυρήσαμεν κατὰ τοῦ θεοῦ
ὅτι ἤγειρεν τὸν Χριστόν,
ὃν οὐκ ἤγειρεν
εἴπερ ἄρα νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται.
κήρυγμα –ατος τό message
ἀνάστασις –εως ἡ resurrection
μαρτυρέω testify
ἄρα = οὖν
νεκρός –ά –όν dead
ἐγείρω, ἐγερῶ, ἤγειρα, --, ἐγήργημαι,
ὅτι that, because
ἠγέρθην raise, resurrect
πίστις –εως ἡ faith
ἐγήγερται “has been raised“
ὑμῶν (gen. pl.) ὑμῖν (dat. pl.) y'all
ἡμῶν (gen. pl.) "of us"
ψευδόμαρτυς -υρος ὁ false witness
κενός -ή -όν empty
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
16. εἰ γὰρ νεκροὶ οὐκ ἐγείρονται,
οὐδὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται·
17. εἰ δὲ Χριστὸς οὐκ ἐγήγερται,
ματαία ἡ πίστις ὑμῶν,
ἔτι ἐστὲ ἐν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις ὑμῶν.
18. ἄρα καὶ οἱ κοιμηθέντες ἐν Χριστῷ ἀπώλοντο.
ἁμαρτία –ας ἡ sin
ἀπώλοντο (3rd pl aor.) "died"
ἄρα = οὖν
ἐγείρω, ἐγερῶ, ἤγειρα, --, ἐγήργημαι,
ἠγέρθην raise, resurrect
ἐγήγερται “has been raised“
κοιμηθέντες (aor.)
"those who have fallen asleep"
μάταιος –α –ον worthless
νεκρός –ά –όν dead
πίστις –εως ἡ faith
ὑμῶν (gen. pl.) “of y'all"
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
19. εἰ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ ταύτῃ ἐν Χριστῷ ἠλπικότες ἐσμὲν μόνον,
ἐλεεινότεροι πάντων ἀνθρώπων ἐσμέν.
20. νυνὶ δὲ Χριστὸς ἐγήγερται ἐκ νεκρῶν,
ἀπαρχὴ τῶν κεκοιμημένων.
ἀπαρχή -ῆς ἡ first-offering
ἐγείρω, ἐγερῶ, ἤγειρα, --, ἐγήργημαι,
ἠγέρθην raise, resurrect
ἐγήγερται “has been raised“
ἐλεεινός –ή -όν pitiful
ζωή -ῆς ἡ life
ἠλπικότες (nom. pl.)
"[those] who had hope"
κεκοιμημένων (perf.)
"those who have fallen asleep"
μόνον "only"
νεκρός –ά –όν dead
νυνὶ now
πάντων (gen. pl.) all
ταύτῃ (fem. dat. sg.) this
Shelmerdine Chapter 16
21. ἐπειδὴ γὰρ δι᾽ ἀνθρώπου θάνατος,
καὶ δι᾽ ἀνθρώπου ἀνάστασις νεκρῶν·
22. ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐν τῷ Ἀδὰμ πάντες ἀποθνῄσκουσιν,
οὕτως καὶ ἐν τῷ Χριστῷ πάντες ζῳοποιηθήσονται.
(Πρὸς Κορινθίους α´ 15.12-22)
νεκρός –ά –όν "dead“
ἀνάστασις –εως ἡ "resurrection"
οὕτως "this way"
ἐγείρω, ἐγερῶ, ἤγειρα, --, ἐγήργημαι, ἠγέρθην
πάντες (nom. pl.) "all"
"raise, resurrect"
ὥσπερ "just as"
ἐγήγερται “has been raised“
ἐπειδὴ "since"
ζῳοποιέω, -ποιήσω, -εποίησα, -πεποίηκα, -πεποίημαι, -εποιήθην
"make alive"