Sabinas rapiendas

Latin Learning Latin
1

In LLPSI Cap XLII exercitium 16. Orberg asks:

Quando Romulus signum praedae dedit?

To which I answer.

Ubi spectaculumm oculos Sabinorum tenebat Romulus signum Sabinas rapiendas fuisse dedit.

Can I use a gerundive like this? If so is it in the right case?

2

It should probably be in the genitive (Sabinarum rapiendarum), and fuisse isn’t needed. It’s the same sort of structure that GJCaesar and I have described (in slightly different ways!) on the spolia opima thread.

Even though in English we would say “the signal for snatching the Sabine women”, I’m pretty sure it would be a genitive in Latin, partly because the dative would certainly be used for the people to whom the signal was given (rather than the action for which a signal is required).

3

Thanks. Actually I had it in genitive at first but changed it to accusative.

4

In addition to Sabinarum rapiendarum, you should delete fuisse.

5

Qimmik

Thanks

Is fuisse unnecessary or just wrong?

Paul

6

fuisse is out of place here.