politburo diktat 2.0

Here’s the last bit of Chapter 7.

When reading Greek, which seems to have long sentences, with words in a loose order, it’s easy (for me as a beginner) to lose track of the subject of the sentence. As the prepositional phrases and dependent clauses pile up, and one suddenly comes upon a verb, it can be a bit mystifying.

But there was a very helpful footnote earlier in the book, which explained that the appearance of the nominative case definite article (o, oi) usually denotes a new subject. And conversely, until one encounters a new nominative case definite article (NCDA), the subject remains unchanged. It may not be an absolute rule, but it’s been helpful.

Read these two sentences:

[19] And when the King did not oppose the crossing of the ditch by Cyrus’ army, it seemed to Cyrus and the others that he had given up the thought of fighting, so that on the following day, Cyrus was marching altogether carelessly. [20] And on the third day, not only was he riding in his chariot for the march, but had (only a) few (soldiers) in formation in front of him, the greater part of the army marching in disorder and with most soldiers’ weapons stowed in wagons or on pack animals.

In line 19, “Cyrus” is the subject. And, he will remain the subject until we encounter a new nominative case definite article (NCDA).

Now, as one reads line 20, (translating the Greek phrases literally, in order) one gets …

τῇ δὲ τρίτῃ
“On the third day … ” - Fine, something will happen to current subject Cyrus on the third day.

ἐπί τε τοῦ ἅρματος καθήμενος
“… riding in his chariot …” - Okay, it still has to be Cyrus we’re talking about.

τὴν πορείαν ἐποιεῖτο
“… the march he was making.” - Still good. So far, it’s just describing in what manner Cyrus was marching, i.e. in the relative relaxed condition of his chariot, rather than ready for action on horseback. The verb is “was making,” which applies to Cyrus, because there’s not yet a new NCDA. (I could have translated “he was making the march riding in his chariot,” but that comes out too awkwardly in English.)

καὶ ὀλίγους ἐν τάξει ἔχων πρὸ αὑτοῦ,
” … and few in formation in front of him … ” - Still Cyrus. It doesn’t come across in English, but there has not been another NCDA yet. So it’s still all about Cyrus, even though the verb is now behind us in the sentence.

τὸ δὲ πολὺ αὐτῷ ἀνατεταραγμένον ἐπορεύετο
“ … but the bulk of it (the army) was marching in disorder.” - BINGO! That boldface “τὸ” (‘the’) is a new NCDA. So it now signifies a new subject, “the bulk,” in this case.

And now the author moves his attention from Cyrus to the army.

It’s a minor point, and the other words’ meanings and endings naturally help, but it’s just one extra bit to help keep oneself ‘grounded’ while navigating the mysteries of Attic prose.