Il8 EXPRESSIONS OF PLACE
a. The ablative denoting the place where is called the locative ablative (cf. locus, place).
266.
Exceptions. Names of towns, small islands,[1] domus, home, rūs, country, and a few other words in common use omit the prepositions in expressions of place, as,
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Galba Athēnās properat, Galba hastens to Athens Galba Athēnīs properat, Galba hastens from Athens Galba Athēnīs habitat, Galba lives at (or in) Athens Galba domum properat, Galba hastens home Galba rūs properat, Galba hastens to the country Galba domō properat, Galba hastens from home Galba rūre properat, Galba hastens from the country Galba rūrī (less commonly rūre) habitat, Galba lives in the country |
a. Names of countries, like Germānia, Italia, etc., do not come under these exceptions. With them prepositions must not be omitted.
267. The Locative Case. We saw above that the place-relation expressed by at or in is regularly covered by the locative ablative. However, Latin originally expressed this relation by a separate form known as the locative case. This case has been everywhere merged in the ablative excepting in the singular number of the first and second declensions. The form of the locative in these declensions is like the genitive singular, and its use is limited to names of towns and small islands, domī, at home, and a few other words.
268.
Rule. Locative and Locative Ablative. To express the place in which with names of towns and small islands, if they are singular and of the first or second declension, use the locative; otherwise use the locative ablative without a preposition; as,
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Galba Rōmae habitat, Galba lives at Rome Galba Corinthī habitat, Galba lives at Corinth Galba domī habitat, Galba lives at home |
- ↑ Small islands are classed with towns because they generally have but one town, and the name of the town is the same as the name of the island.
