In Latin grammar, the ablative absolute is a noun phrase cast in the ablative case. It indicates the time, condition, or attending circumstances of an action being described in the main sentence.
It takes the place of, and translates, many phrases that would require a subordinate clause in English. The unfamiliarity of this construction makes it sometimes difficult for Latin students to grasp; however, mastery of this construction is needed to write Latin well, and its availability makes Latin prose concise and economical.
The ablative absolute is grammatically independent of the rest of the sentence. It typically combines a noun or pronoun with an adjective, which is often a participle:
- Urbe capta, Aeneas fugit
- "When the city was captured, Aeneas fled."
- "When the city was captured, Aeneas fled."
- Cn. Pompeio M. Crasso consulibus. . .
- "When Gnaeus Pompey and Marcus Crassus were consuls. . ."
- "When Gnaeus Pompey and Marcus Crassus were consuls. . ."
- Ovidio exule Musae planguntur.
- vivo Caesare. . .
- "when Caesar was alive. . ."
- "when Caesar was alive. . ."
- Ira calefacta, sapientia dormit.
- "Wisdom sleeps because anger is kindled."
- "Wisdom sleeps because anger is kindled."
- Domino absente, fenestram penetravit.
- "Since the homeowner was away, he came in through the window."
- "Since the homeowner was away, he came in through the window."
- Passis palmis pacem petiverunt.
- "They sued for peace with hands outstretched."
- "They sued for peace with hands outstretched."
- audito eum fugisse. . .
- "when they heard he had fled. . ."
- "when they heard he had fled. . ."