§425. Extent of Space

Extent of Space is expressed by the Accusative:—

• fossās quīndecim pedēs lātās (B. G. 7.72), trenches fifteen feet broad.
• prōgressus mīlia passuum circiter duodecim (id. 5.9), having advanced about twelve miles.
• in omnī vītā suā quemque ā rēctā cōnscientiā trānsversum unguem nōn oportet discēdere (quoted inAtt. 13.20), in all one's life, one should not depart a nail's breadth from straightforward conscience.

a. Measure is often expressed by the Genitive of Quality (§ 345. b):

• vāllum duodecim pedum (B. G. 7.72), a rampart of twelve feet (in height).

b. Distance when considered as extent of space is put in the Accusative; when considered as degree of difference, in the Ablative (§ 414):—

• mīlia passuum tria ab eōrum castrīs castra pōnit (B. G. 1.22), he pitches his camp three miles from their camp.
• quīnque diērum iter abest (Liv. 30.29), it is distant five days' march.
• trīgintā mīlibus passuum īnfrā eum locum (B. G. 6.35), thirty miles below that place (below by thirty miles).