§357. Genitive with Special Verbs

The Genitive is used with certain special verbs.

a. The genitive sometimes follows potior, get possession of; as always in the phrase potīrī rērum, to be master of affairs:—

• illīus rēgnī potīrī; (Fam. 1.7.5), to become master of that kingdom.
• Cleanthēs sōlem dominārī et rērum potīrī putat (Acad. 2.126), Cleanthes thinks the sun holds sway and is lord of the universe.

b. Some other verbs rarely take the genitive—

• By analogy with those mentioned in § 354:—

  • neque hûius sīs veritus fēminaeprīmāriae (Ter. Ph. 971), and you had no respect for this high-born lady.

• As akin to adjectives which take the genitive:—

  • fastīdit meī (Plaut. Aul. 245), he disdains me. [Cf. fastīdiōsus.]
  • studet tuī (quoted N. D. 3.72), he is zealous for you. [Cf. studiōsus.]

• In imitation of the Greek:—

  • iūstitiaene prius mīrer, bellīne labōrum (Aen. 11.126), shall I rather admire his justice or his toils in war?
  • neque ille sēpositīciceris nec longae invīdit avēnae (Hor. S. 2.6.84), nor did he grudge his garnered peas, etc. [But cf. invidus, parcus.]
  • labōrum dēcipitur (Hor. Od. 2.13.38), he is beguiled of his woes.
  • mēlabōrum levās (Pl. Rud. 247), you relieve me of my troubles.