I have been reading insula thesauraria and in chapter xiv have found this passage.
Thomas, eo sonitu, tamquam equus calcari, subsiliit.
T at that sound, jumped up like/ as if a horse being shoed.
Why do I baulk at the lack of a finite verb? In the example below tamquam clearly introduces a finite verb, and is an adverb, I think.
Clamas tamquam surdus sim.
You’re shouting as if I’m deaf.
from colebourne
What is it if there is no finite verb? I suppose a conjunction. Equus must modify tamquam, being nominative, and calceari must modify equus, and calceari as a verbal noun must either be a compliment, with esse implied, or a noun in apposition.
If Latin had a passive present participle you could use that. A passive past participle might be simpler:
tamquam equus calcatus
Short of using a clause, I don’t know what I’d do.
Any help welcome!
