Antiquities 1:78

[Matthew Longhorn]

ἦν δ̓ ἡ λάρναξ τούς τε τοίχους καρτερὰ καὶ τὸν ὄροφον, ὡς μηδαμόθεν ἐπικλύζεσθαι μηδ̓ ἡττᾶσθαι τῆς τοῦ ὕδατος βίας

I am puzzled as to how the two accusative fit in here, I can’t see a verb that they could be governed by unless I am somehow to take them as the subjects of the infinitive in the next clause, which doesn’t seem right.

Any ideas?

[Matthew Longhorn]

Could it be an accusative of respect, "the ark, with respect to the walls and roof"?

[Stephen Carlson]

Could it be an accusative of respect, "the ark, with respect to the walls and roof"?

Yes, but construed with the adjective καρτερά ("strong in its walls and roof").

[Matthew Longhorn]

Thanks

[Matthew Longhorn]

I don't have access to some of my grammars, I was wondering why someone may use an accusative of respect rather than a dative of respect.
I see that there was a shift towards the dative during the koine period, is there any kind of difference in meaning between the two constructions?

[Stephen Carlson]

I don't have access to some of my grammars, I was wondering why someone may use an accusative of respect rather than a dative of respect.
I see that there was a shift towards the dative during the koine period, is there any kind of difference in meaning between the two constructions?

There's a certain division of labor. The accusative of respect is most seen with body parts or things that are analogous to body parts. There are some others; consult Smyth for more details.

[Matthew Longhorn]

Thanks, when I next have access to Smyth I will give it a read

[S Walch]

Thanks, when I next have access to Smyth I will give it a read

It's online at Perseus

http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/tex ... 99.04.0007

Accusative of Respect:
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/tex ... ction%3D91