§423. Time

Time when, or within which, is expressed by the Ablative; time how long by the Accusative.

• Ablative:—

  • cōnstitūtā diē, on the appointed day; prīm˘ lūce, at daybreak.
  • quotā hōrā, at what o'clock? tertiā vigiliā, in the third watch.
  • tribus proximīs annīs (Iug. 11), within the last three years.
  • diēbusvīgintī quīnque aggerem exstrūxērunt (B. G. 7.24), within twentyfive days they finished building a mound.

• Accusative:—

  • diēs continuōs trīgintā, for thirty days together.
  • cum trīduumiter fēcisset (B. G. 2.16), when he had marched three days.