§377. Dative of Reference

The Dative of Reference is often used to qualify a whole idea, instead of the Possessive Genitive modifying a single word:

• iter Poenīs vel corporibus suīs obstruere (Cat. M. 75), to block the march of the Carthaginians even with their own bodies (to block, etc., for the disadvantage of, etc.).
• sē in cōnspectum nautīs dedit (Verr. 5.86), he put himself in sight of the sailors (he put himself to the sailors into sight).
• versātur mihi ante oculōs (id. 5.123), it comes before my eyes (it comes to me before the eyes).