Titus, pecuniã datã, in vestibulum ingressus est. Titus, with the money having been given, entered the entrance way. Titus, once the money was given, entered the entrance way. After the money was given, Titus entered the entrance way. Because the money was given, Titus enter the entrance way.

Amici, vino sumpto, inter se colloqui coeperunt The friends, with the wine having been drunk, began to talk among themselves. The friends, once the wine was drunk, began to talk among themselves. After the wine was drunk, the friends began to talk among themselves. Because the wine was drunk, the friends began to talk among themselves.

The Ablative Absolute

Definition The ablative absolute is a condensed adverbial phrase that consists of a noun and a participle each of which is in the ablative case. The ablative absolute is grammatically unrelated to the rest of the sentence and therefore will often be separated by commas.

With a perfect participle The perfect participle indicates previous time action, and so the action of the ablative absolute takes place before the action of the main verb.

With a perfect participle Catilinã interfecto, Roma servata est. With Catiline having been killed, Rome was saved. After Catiline was killed, Rome was saved. Because Catiline was killed, Rome was saved.

With a present participle The present participle indicates contemporaneous action, and so the action of the ablative absolute takes place at the same time as the action of the main verb.

With a present participle Hostibus egredientibus, dux milites collexit. With the enemy departing, the general gathered his soldiers. As the enemy was departing, the general gathered his soldiers. Since the enemy was departing, the general gathered his soldiers.

Without a participle The Latin verb sum esse (to be) has no present participle, and so this verb form is to be understood in many ablative absolutes.

Without a participle Augusto Principe, Vergilius poeta optimus erat. With Augustus (being) emperor, Vergil was the best poet. When Augustus was emperor, Vergil was the best poet. Because Augustus was emperor, Vergil was the best poet.

Finis!