§410. Uses of the Ablative As Instrumental

The deponents ūtor, fruor, fungor, potior, vescor, with several of their compounds,¹ govern the Ablative:—

• ūtar vestrā benīgnitāte (Arch. 18), I will avail myself of your kindness.
• ita mihi salvā rē pūblicā vōbīscum perfruī liceat (Cat. 4.11), so may I enjoy with you the state secure and prosperous.
• fungī inānī mūnere (Aen. 6.885), to perform an idle service.
• aurō hērōs potitur (Ov. M. 7.156), the hero takes the gold.
• lacte et ferīnā carne vescēbantur (Iug. 89), they fed on milk and game.

a. Potior sometimes takes the Genitive, as always in the phrase potīri rērum, to get control or be master of affairs (§ 357. a):—

• tōtīus Galliae sēsē potīrī posse spērant (B. G. 1.3), they hope they can get possession of the whole of Gaul.

• fūnctus est officium (Ter. Ph. 281), he performed the part, etc.
• ille patria potitur commoda (Ter. Ad. 871), he enjoys his ancestral estate.