Syntax of Mastronarde 2e, Unit 14, Ex III.8

Greek Learning Greek
1

Hi, I have no idea how a phrase in this sentence should be analyzed.

καὶ διὰ τοῦτο ἡ Ἔρις αἰτία γίγνεται τοῦ πλείστους τῶν ἐν τῇ Ἑλλάδι καλῶν καὶ ἀγαθῶν ἀποθνῇσκειν.

Does τοῦ modify πλείστους or does it modify ἀποθνῇσκειν? If the former, what word does ἀποθνῇσκειν modify and what case is it? If the latter, does πλείστους modify ἀποθνῇσκειν as an adjective or is it the substantive subject of it despite not being accompanied by an article?

The answer key gives

And because of this, Strife becomes responsible for the fact that very many of the fine and noble men in Greece die.

2

τοῦ . . . ἀποθνῇσκειν is an “articular” infinitive (infinitive with the definite article). It depends on αἰτία: “the cause of . . . dying.”

πλείστους is accusative plural, the subject of ἀποθνῇσκειν. Without the article, it can be translated “very many”. With the article it would mean “the most.”

3

Ah thanks! I mixed up my declensions!