§429. Relations of Place

The place where is denoted by the Ablative without a preposition in the following instances:—

• Often in indefinite words, such as locō, parte, etc.:—

  • quibus locōpositī<*> (De Or. 3.153), when these are set in position.
  • quā parte bellī vīcerant (Liv. 21.22), the branch of warfare in which they were victorious.
  • locīs certīs horrea cōnstituit (B. C. 3.32), he established granaries in particular places.

• Frequently with nouns which are qualified by adjectives (regularly when tōtus is used):—

  • mediā urbe (Liv. 1.33), in the middle of the city.
  • tōtā Siciliā (Verr. 4.51), throughout Sicily (in the whole of Sicily).
  • tōtā Tarracīnā (De Or. 2.240), in all Tarracina.
  • cūnctāAsiā atque Graeciā (Manil. 12), throughout the whole of Asia and Greece too.

• In many idiomatic expressions which have lost the idea of place:

  • pendēmus animīs (Tusc. 1.96), we are in suspense of mind (in our minds).
  • sociusperīculīsvōbīscum aderō; (Iug. 85.47), I will be present with you, a companion in dangers.

• Freely in poetry:—

  • lītorecurvō; (Aen. 3.16), on the winding shore.
  • antrōsēclūsa relinquit (id. 3.446), she leaves them shut up in the cave.
  • ēpīrō, Hesperiā (id. 3.503), in Epirus, in Hesperia.
  • premit altum cordedolōrem (id. 1.209), he keeps down the pain deep in his heart.

a. The way by which is put in the Ablative without a preposition:

• viā breviōre equitēs praemīsī; (Fam. 10.9), I sent forward the cavalry by a shorter road.
• Aegaeō marī trāiēcit (Liv. 37.14), he crossed by way of the Ægean Sea.
• prōvehimur pelagō (Aen. 3.506), we sail forth over the sea.

b. Position is frequently expressed by the Ablative with ab (rarely ex), properly meaning from:—¹

• ā tergō, in the rear; ā sinistrā, on the left hand. [Cf. hinc, on this side.]
• ā parte Pompêiānā, on the side of Pompey.
• ex alterā parte, on the other side.
• māgnā ex parte, in a great degree (from, i.e. in, a great part).