Before we learn prepositions, let's quickly revise our singular noun endings. Remember these two key nouns:
1st Declension (Feminine)
τιμη (honour, value)
Case
Form
Nominative
ἡ τιμη
Accusative
τὴν τιμην
2nd Declension (Masculine)
λογος (word, argument)
Case
Form
Nominative
ὁ λογος
Accusative
τὸν λογον
Remember:
Nominative = the subject (who does the action) Accusative = the object (what receives the action) - always has that extra ν!
What are Prepositions?
Prepositions are little words that tell us about motion or position. In Greek, prepositions showing motion towards something take the accusative case.
English examples:
I walk towards the village
I run into the house
I sail to Athens
The Greek Pattern:
Greek works the same way! When you use a preposition showing motion towards something, the noun after it goes into the accusative case - just like direct objects do.
Compare:
βλεπω τὸν λογον
I see the argument (accusative = direct object)
βαινω πρὸς τὸν λογον
I go towards the argument (accusative after preposition)
πρός + Accusative
πρός
towards
The preposition πρός means "towards" and shows motion in the direction of something. It always takes the accusative case.
Examples with πρός:
πρὸς τὸν ποταμον
towards the river
πρὸς τὴν κωμην
towards the village
ὁ στρατηγὸς βαινει πρὸς τὸν ποταμον
The general goes towards the river
διωκω τοὺς δουλους πρὸς τὴν πυλην
I chase the slaves towards the gate
Key Pattern:
πρός always needs the accusative after it:
πρὸς τὸν λογον (towards the argument)
πρὸς τὴν τιμην (towards the honour)
εἰς + Accusative
εἰς
into
The preposition εἰς means "into" and shows motion into something. Like πρός, it always takes the accusative case.
Examples with εἰς:
εἰς τὸν ποταμον
into the river
εἰς τὴν κωμην
into the village
ὁ ἱππος ἁγει τὸν ἱππον εἰς τὴν κωμην
The horseman leads the horse into the village
φερω τὴν ἐπιστολην εἰς τὴν κωμην
I carry the letter into the village
✓ With πρός (towards)
πρὸς τὴν κωμην
towards the village (approaching)
✓ With εἰς (into)
εἰς τὴν κωμην
into the village (entering)
Both Take Accusative:
Remember: Both πρός and εἰς require the accusative case because they both show motion!
Exercise 1.12
Click each sentence to reveal the translation:
1ὁ στρατος πρὸς τὸν ποταμον βαινει.
The army goes towards the river.
2ὁ θεος φωνὴν οὐκ ἐχει.
The god does not have a voice.
3τὸν ἱππον εἰς τὴν κωμην ἁγω.
I lead the horse into the village.
4ἡ κορη τὴν πυλην οὐ φυλασσει.
The girl does not guard the gate.
5ὁ στρατηγος τὸν στρατον πρὸς τὴν κωμην ἁγει.
The general leads the army towards the village.
6τὸν δουλον πρὸς τὸν ποταμον διωκω.
I chase the slave towards the river.
7ὁ δουλος εἰς τὸν ποταμον τρεχει.
The slave runs into the river.
8ὁ διδασκαλος διδασκει τὴν κορην.
The teacher teaches the girl.
9τὴν ἐπιστολην πρὸς τὴν κωμην φερω.
I carry the letter towards the village.
10ὁ θεος πρὸς τὴν γην βαινει.
The god goes towards the earth.
Exercise 1.14
Click each sentence to reveal the translation:
1ὁ ἀγγελος προς την κωμην τρεχει. ἐπιστολην φερει. ἡ βουλη τον λογον ακουει
The messenger runs towards the village. He carries a letter. The council hears the argument.
2ὁ ξενος τον βουλον διωκει. ὁ δουλος προς τον ποταμον βαινει. ὁ ποταμος τον δουλον παυει. ὁ δουλος την τιμην ου εχει. ὁ ποταμος τον δουλον παυει. ὁ ξενος τον δουλον φυλασσει
The stranger chases the slave. The slave goes towards the river. The river stops the slave. The slave does not have honour. The river stops the slave. The stranger guards the slave.
3ὁ στρατηγος τον στρατον ἁγει. ὁ στρατ-ος προς την κωμην βαινει. ὁ στρατηγος φωνην ἀκουει. ὁ θεος λογον λεγει. ὁ θεος την ειρηνην φερει. ἡ κωμη ειρηνην ἐχει. ὁ θεος τιμην ἐχει. ὁ θεος την ειρηνην φερει
The general leads the army. The army goes towards the village. The general hears a voice. The god speaks a word. The god brings peace. The village has peace. The god has honour. The god brings peace.