8.6 The second declension
Table 19 below shows the genitive and dative endings of the second declension noun λόγος (‘word’). Again, we will concentrate on the singular endings. Most nouns ending in -ος belong to the second declension.
Table 19 λόγος, genitive and dative singular
| Case | Ending | λόγος |
|---|---|---|
| singular | ||
| genitive | -ου (-ou) | λόγου (logou) |
| dative | -ῳ (-ōi) | λόγῳ (logōi) |
Activity 42
What is the genitive singular of the second declension noun Δαρεῖος (Dareios), the Persian king ‘Darius’)?
a.
Δαρεῖος (Dareios)
b.
Δαρείου (Dareiou)
c.
Δαρείῳ (Dareiōi)
d.
none of the above
The correct answer is b.
2. The name of the Greek god Hephaistos is a second declension noun, Ἥφαιστος (Hēphaistos). What case is Ἡφαίστῳ (Hēphaistōi)?
a.
genitive
b.
dative
c.
none of the above
The correct answer is b.
Practice
Activity 43
Which Greek word could be used to translate the English word in bold?
Part a)
a) Antigone’s father
a.
Ἀντιγόνην (Antigonēn)
b.
Ἀντιγόνης (Antigonēs)
c.
Ἀντιγόνῃ (Antigonēi)
The correct answer is b.
Answer
The genitive case is needed to indicate Antigone’s relationship with her father.
Part b)
b) Paris gave the apple to Aphrodite.
a.
Ἀφροδίτην (Aphroditēn)
b.
Ἀφροδίτης (Aphroditēs)
c.
Ἀφροδίτῃ (Aphroditēi)
The correct answer is c.
Answer
The dative case is needed to indicate the recipient of the apple.
Part c)
c) Goliath was struck by a stone (‘a stone’ in Greek is λίθος, lithos)
a.
λίθου (lithou)
b.
λίθῳ (lithōi)
The correct answer is b.
Answer
A noun in the dative case is needed to indicate the instrument by which Goliath was struck.