Iliad:54

[Bert]

[face=SPIonic]th|= deka/th| d' a)gorh/nde kale/ssato lao\n )Axilleu/j[/face]<br />In the footnotes it says that [face=SPIonic]kale/ssato[/face] is causative.<br />In section 1069 of Pharr it says concerning verbs with a causative sense;... the subject causes something to be done by another.<br />I don't see how the verb in question fits this description.<br />Achilles is doing the summoning. (Unless he is a commander and has someone doing the calling for him, but that can't be deduced from the context thus far).<br />Or does causative means that his summoning causes the Greeks to gather together.<br />Can some-one shed some light here please?<br />Thanks<br />Bert.

[annis]

Oi.<br /><br />I think Pharr got a little zealous in commenting. I agree with you. I can find no reason to specify this as causative.<br /><br />My Kirk commentary has nothing to say about this line, either.<br />

[Paul]

Hi Bert,<br /><br />In the middle voice [face=SPIonic]kale/ssato[/face] means to summon to oneself.<br /><br />And, as you say, it is causative because the goal of its verbal activity is the [face=SPIonic]lao/n[/face]. Hence the accusative.<br /><br />Cordially,<br /><br />Paul

[Skylax]

Usually, the call is made by heralds, [face=SPIonic]kh/rukej[/face]. Agamemon's heralds are Talthybios and Eurybates.