§230. ā-declension and o-declension

Textbooks Latin For Beginners by D'Ooge
1

I am going through the book a second time, and am still mystified by the D’Ooge’s naming of the first two declensions as the ā-declension and the o-declension.

Why is the quantity different - long ā versus short o?

Both use the long vowel in the singular ablative and in the plural genitive and accusative (and arguably in other cases where the vowel is shortened by the following consonant). It is a long ō in the singular dative. What am I missing?

2

There are historical reasons for these designations–they more accurately describe the corresponding Greek declensions.

3

Thanks for your reply. I suspected their were historical reasons. I guess what I was really mystified by was D’Ooge’s so naming these declensions without giving an explanation - the impression is given that he expected the reader to see the logic behind the namings.