In Koine Greek, the concept of "with" is primarily expressed through two prepositions: μετά (meta) with the genitive case, and σύν (syn) with the dative case. Both convey accompaniment or association, though with subtle differences in usage. This lesson explores both forms through varied examples drawn from Hellenistic Greek texts.
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The English preposition "with" indicates accompaniment, association, or instrumentality. In Koine Greek: -
μετά + genitive = "with" (often implying accompaniment or association) -
σύν + dative = "with" (often implying closer union or cooperation)
Question: What does "with" mean in Koine Greek? Answer: "With" in Koine Greek is expressed by two main prepositions: μετά (meta) followed by the genitive case, and σύν (syn) followed by the dative case. Both indicate accompaniment or association, with μετά being more common in everyday usage and σύν often suggesting closer unity or cooperation.
Course: Koine Greek Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Prepositions - "with" (μετά/σύν) Type: Self-study Reading Lesson Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Koine (Hellenistic) Greek Prerequisites: Basic Greek alphabet knowledge Learning Outcomes: Students will understand and recognize the use of μετά and σύν to express "with" in various contexts
Throughout this lesson, you will encounter μετά and σύν in diverse contexts - from simple statements of accompaniment to more complex expressions of association and instrumentality. The examples progress from basic constructions to more sophisticated usage, helping you internalize these essential prepositions through repeated exposure in meaningful contexts.
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Two main prepositions: μετά (+ genitive) and σύν (+ dative) both mean "with" -
Case usage is critical: μετά requires genitive, σύν requires dative -
Subtle differences: σύν often implies closer union or cooperation -
Common in compounds: Both prepositions frequently appear as prefixes in compound words -
Biblical and classical usage: Both forms appear throughout Koine literature
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17.1a ὁ the ἄνθρωπος man περιπατεῖ walks μετὰ with τοῦ the υἱοῦ son αὐτοῦ his 17.1b ho (ho) the anthrōpos (AN-thrō-pos) man peripatei (pe-ri-pa-TEI) walks meta (me-TA) with tou (tou) the huiou (hui-OU) son autou (au-TOU) his
17.2a ἦλθον came σὺν with τοῖς the μαθηταῖς disciples εἰς into τὴν the πόλιν city 17.2b ēlthon (ĒL-thon) came syn (syn) with tois (tois) the mathētais (ma-thē-TAIS) disciples eis (eis) into tēn (tēn) the polin (PO-lin) city
17.3a ἡ the γυνὴ woman ἐλάλησεν spoke μετὰ with τῶν the φίλων friends αὐτῆς her 17.3b hē (hē) the gynē (gy-NĒ) woman elalēsen (e-LA-lē-sen) spoke meta (me-TA) with tōn (tōn) the philōn (PHI-lōn) friends autēs (au-TĒS) her
17.4a σὺν with Χριστῷ Christ ἐσταυρώθημεν were-crucified 17.4b syn (syn) with Christō (Chris-TŌ) Christ estaurōthēmen (e-stau-RŌ-thē-men) were-crucified
17.5a μετὰ with χαρᾶς joy ἐδέξαντο received τὸν the λόγον word 17.5b meta (me-TA) with charas (kha-RAS) joy edexanto (e-DEK-san-to) received ton (ton) the logon (LO-gon) word
17.6a οἱ the στρατιῶται soldiers ἐπορεύοντο marched σὺν with τῷ the ἡγεμόνι commander 17.6b hoi (hoi) the stratiōtai (stra-ti-Ō-tai) soldiers eporeuonto (e-po-REU-on-to) marched syn (syn) with tō (tō) the hēgemoni (hē-ge-MO-ni) commander
17.7a εἰρήνη peace ὑμῖν to-you μετὰ with πάντων all τῶν the ἁγίων saints 17.7b eirēnē (ei-RĒ-nē) peace hymin (hy-MIN) to-you meta (me-TA) with pantōn (PAN-tōn) all tōn (tōn) the hagiōn (ha-GI-ōn) saints
17.8a ἔμεινεν remained ὁ the Ἰησοῦς Jesus μετ' with αὐτῶν them ἡμέρας days τρεῖς three 17.8b emeinen (E-mei-nen) remained ho (ho) the Iēsous (Iē-SOUS) Jesus met' (met) with autōn (au-TŌN) them hēmeras (hē-ME-ras) days treis (treis) three
17.9a σὺν with πᾶσιν all τούτοις these πρὸς toward τρίτην third ἡμέραν day ἐστίν is 17.9b syn (syn) with pasin (PA-sin) all toutois (TOU-tois) these pros (pros) toward tritēn (TRI-tēn) third hēmeran (hē-ME-ran) day estin (es-TIN) is
17.10a ἐβάπτισεν baptized αὐτοὺς them μετὰ with ὕδατος water 17.10b ebaptisen (e-BAP-ti-sen) baptized autous (au-TOUS) them meta (me-TA) with hydatos (HY-da-tos) water
17.11a συνεργοὶ fellow-workers ἐσμεν are σὺν with θεῷ God 17.11b synergoi (sy-ner-GOI) fellow-workers esmen (es-MEN) are syn (syn) with theō (the-Ō) God
17.12a πορεύεται goes ὁ the βασιλεὺς king μετὰ with τοῦ the στρατοῦ army αὐτοῦ his 17.12b poreuetai (po-REU-e-tai) goes ho (ho) the basileus (ba-si-LEUS) king meta (me-TA) with tou (tou) the stratou (stra-TOU) army autou (au-TOU) his
17.13a μετὰ with ταῦτα these-things εἶδον saw ὅραμα vision 17.13b meta (me-TA) with tauta (TAU-ta) these-things eidon (EI-don) saw horama (HO-ra-ma) vision
17.14a χαίρω rejoice σὺν with χαιρόντων rejoicing ὑμῶν you 17.14b chairō (KHAI-rō) rejoice syn (syn) with chairontōn (khai-RON-tōn) rejoicing hymōn (hy-MŌN) you
17.15a ἡ the ἀγάπη love μετὰ with πίστεως faith ἐνεργεῖται works 17.15b hē (hē) the agapē (a-GA-pē) love meta (me-TA) with pisteōs (PIS-te-ōs) faith energeitai (e-ner-GEI-tai) works
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17.1 ὁ ἄνθρωπος περιπατεῖ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ. The man walks with his son.
17.2 ἦλθον σὺν τοῖς μαθηταῖς εἰς τὴν πόλιν. They came with the disciples into the city.
17.3 ἡ γυνὴ ἐλάλησεν μετὰ τῶν φίλων αὐτῆς. The woman spoke with her friends.
17.4 σὺν Χριστῷ ἐσταυρώθημεν. We were crucified with Christ.
17.5 μετὰ χαρᾶς ἐδέξαντο τὸν λόγον. They received the word with joy.
17.6 οἱ στρατιῶται ἐπορεύοντο σὺν τῷ ἡγεμόνι. The soldiers marched with the commander.
17.7 εἰρήνη ὑμῖν μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων. Peace to you with all the saints.
17.8 ἔμεινεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς μετ' αὐτῶν ἡμέρας τρεῖς. Jesus remained with them three days.
17.9 σὺν πᾶσιν τούτοις πρὸς τρίτην ἡμέραν ἐστίν. With all these things it is toward the third day.
17.10 ἐβάπτισεν αὐτοὺς μετὰ ὕδατος. He baptized them with water.
17.11 συνεργοὶ ἐσμεν σὺν θεῷ. We are fellow workers with God.
17.12 πορεύεται ὁ βασιλεὺς μετὰ τοῦ στρατοῦ αὐτοῦ. The king goes with his army.
17.13 μετὰ ταῦτα εἶδον ὅραμα. After these things I saw a vision.
17.14 χαίρω σὺν χαιρόντων ὑμῶν. I rejoice with you who rejoice.
17.15 ἡ ἀγάπη μετὰ πίστεως ἐνεργεῖται. Love works with faith.
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17.1 ὁ ἄνθρωπος περιπατεῖ μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ.
17.2 ἦλθον σὺν τοῖς μαθηταῖς εἰς τὴν πόλιν.
17.3 ἡ γυνὴ ἐλάλησεν μετὰ τῶν φίλων αὐτῆς.
17.4 σὺν Χριστῷ ἐσταυρώθημεν.
17.5 μετὰ χαρᾶς ἐδέξαντο τὸν λόγον.
17.6 οἱ στρατιῶται ἐπορεύοντο σὺν τῷ ἡγεμόνι.
17.7 εἰρήνη ὑμῖν μετὰ πάντων τῶν ἁγίων.
17.8 ἔμεινεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς μετ' αὐτῶν ἡμέρας τρεῖς.
17.9 σὺν πᾶσιν τούτοις πρὸς τρίτην ἡμέραν ἐστίν.
17.10 ἐβάπτισεν αὐτοὺς μετὰ ὕδατος.
17.11 συνεργοὶ ἐσμεν σὺν θεῷ.
17.12 πορεύεται ὁ βασιλεὺς μετὰ τοῦ στρατοῦ αὐτοῦ.
17.13 μετὰ ταῦτα εἶδον ὅραμα.
17.14 χαίρω σὺν χαιρόντων ὑμῶν.
17.15 ἡ ἀγάπη μετὰ πίστεως ἐνεργεῖται.
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The two primary ways to express "with" in Koine Greek are:
1. μετά (meta) + Genitive Case -
Most common in Koine Greek -
Indicates general accompaniment or association -
Can also mean "after" with accusative (different meaning) -
Contracts to μετ' before vowels
2. σύν (syn) + Dative Case -
Less frequent but emphatic -
Often implies closer union or cooperation -
Common in compound words (συν- prefix) -
More literary/formal register
Step 1: Identify the Type of "With" -
Is it simple accompaniment? → Usually μετά -
Is it close cooperation/unity? → Often σύν -
Is it instrumental ("by means of")? → May use dative alone
Step 2: Apply the Correct Case -
μετά → genitive case endings -
σύν → dative case endings
Step 3: Watch for Contractions -
μετά → μετ' before vowels -
σύν → no contraction
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Case confusion: Using accusative with μετά (changes meaning to "after") -
Wrong preposition: Using σύν with genitive (never happens) -
Overuse of σύν: In Koine, μετά is far more common -
Missing the nuance: σύν often implies more than mere accompaniment -
Forgetting elision: Not writing μετ' before vowels
English: -
One word "with" covers all uses -
No case changes needed -
Position flexible
Greek: -
Two main words (μετά, σύν) -
Requires specific cases -
Each has subtle nuances -
Position more fixed
μετά + genitive: -
Form: μετά + genitive case -
Meaning: with, among, after -
Frequency: Very common -
Elision: μετ' before vowels
σύν + dative: -
Form: σύν + dative case -
Meaning: with, together with -
Frequency: Less common -
Special use: Compound verbs
Additional Notes: -
Some verbs take dative alone for "with" -
Compounds with συν- are extremely common -
In papyri, μετά dominates over σύν
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The distinction between μετά and σύν in Koine Greek reflects important cultural and theological concepts in the Hellenistic world. While μετά represents the everyday preposition for accompaniment, σύν carries deeper connotations of unity and shared experience.
In the New Testament, Paul's use of σύν-compounds (like συσταυρόω "to crucify with" and συζάω "to live with") reflects a theological understanding of believers' mystical union with Christ. This is not mere accompaniment but participation in Christ's death and resurrection.
The preference for μετά in everyday papyri and non-literary texts shows it was the common person's way of expressing "with." When you find σύν, especially in literary or religious texts, pay attention - the author may be emphasizing a special kind of togetherness.
In social contexts, μετά could describe casual association (walking with someone, eating with friends), while σύν might indicate formal partnership or deep solidarity. This distinction, while not absolute, helps readers understand the level of relationship being described.
The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) translators often used μετά to translate the Hebrew את (et) and עם (im), establishing μετά as the standard "with" in Jewish Greek. This influenced New Testament usage, where μετά appears about three times more frequently than σύν.
Understanding these nuances helps modern readers appreciate why certain passages use one preposition over the other, revealing layers of meaning that simple English translation might miss.
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Source: 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 (Apostle Paul's closing benediction)
Λοιπόν finally, ἀδελφοί brothers, χαίρετε rejoice. καταρτίζεσθε be-restored, παρακαλεῖσθε be-encouraged, τὸ the αὐτὸ same φρονεῖτε think, εἰρηνεύετε live-in-peace. καὶ and ὁ the θεὸς God τῆς the ἀγάπης love καὶ and εἰρήνης peace ἔσται will-be μεθ' with ὑμῶν you. Ἀσπάσασθε greet ἀλλήλους one-another ἐν in φιλήματι kiss ἁγίῳ holy. Ἀσπάζονται greet ὑμᾶς you οἱ the ἅγιοι saints πάντες all. Ἡ the χάρις grace τοῦ of-the κυρίου Lord Ἰησοῦ Jesus Χριστοῦ Christ καὶ and ἡ the ἀγάπη love τοῦ of-the θεοῦ God καὶ and ἡ the κοινωνία fellowship τοῦ of-the ἁγίου holy πνεύματος spirit μετὰ with πάντων all ὑμῶν you.
Loipon (loi-PON), adelphoi (a-del-PHOI), chairete (KHAI-re-te). katartizesthe (ka-tar-TI-zes-the), parakaleisthe (pa-ra-ka-LEIS-the), to (to) auto (au-TO) phroneite (phro-NEI-te), eirēneuete (ei-rē-NEU-e-te). kai (kai) ho (ho) theos (the-OS) tēs (tēs) agapēs (a-GA-pēs) kai (kai) eirēnēs (ei-RĒ-nēs) estai (ES-tai) meth' (meth) hymōn (hy-MŌN). Aspasasthe (as-PA-sas-the) allēlous (al-LĒ-lous) en (en) philēmati (phi-LĒ-ma-ti) hagiō (ha-GI-ō). Aspazontai (as-PA-zon-tai) hymas (hy-MAS) hoi (hoi) hagioi (HA-gi-oi) pantes (PAN-tes). Hē (hē) charis (KHA-ris) tou (tou) kyriou (ky-RI-ou) Iēsou (Iē-SOU) Christou (Chris-TOU) kai (kai) hē (hē) agapē (a-GA-pē) tou (tou) theou (the-OU) kai (kai) hē (hē) koinōnia (koi-nō-NI-a) tou (tou) hagiou (ha-GI-ou) pneumatos (PNEU-ma-tos) meta (me-TA) pantōn (PAN-tōn) hymōn (hy-MŌN).
Λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε, καταρτίζεσθε, παρακαλεῖσθε, τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε, εἰρηνεύετε, καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς ἀγάπης καὶ εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ' ὑμῶν. Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἅγιοι πάντες. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἡ κοινωνία τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.
Finally, brothers, rejoice, be restored, be encouraged, think the same thing, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε, καταρτίζεσθε, παρακαλεῖσθε, τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε, εἰρηνεύετε, καὶ ὁ θεὸς τῆς ἀγάπης καὶ εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ' ὑμῶν. Ἀσπάσασθε ἀλλήλους ἐν φιλήματι ἁγίῳ. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἅγιοι πάντες. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἡ κοινωνία τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν.
This passage beautifully illustrates the use of μετά with the genitive to express divine presence "with" believers. Note two instances: -
μεθ' ὑμῶν (meth' hymōn) - "with you" - showing God's presence with the community. The elision of μετά to μεθ' before the vowel demonstrates standard Greek phonetic rules. -
μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν (meta pantōn hymōn) - "with all of you" - the famous Trinitarian benediction ending, emphasizing that divine grace, love, and fellowship are "with" every member of the community.
The choice of μετά rather than σύν here is significant. Paul uses the common, everyday preposition to express God's presence - making it accessible and personal rather than mystical or remote. This divine presence is as real and normal as a friend walking "with" you on the road.
The passage also shows typical Koine word order, with the preposition phrase often coming at the end of the clause for emphasis. This benediction formula became liturgical in Christian worship, preserving this specific use of μετά with divine presence.
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17.16a Ἀλέξανδρος Alexander ἐστράτευσεν campaigned μετὰ with τῶν the Μακεδόνων Macedonians εἰς into τὴν the Ἀσίαν Asia 17.16b Alexandros (a-LEK-san-dros) Alexander estrateusen (e-STRA-teu-sen) campaigned meta (me-TA) with tōn (tōn) the Makedonōn (Ma-ke-DO-nōn) Macedonians eis (eis) into tēn (tēn) the Asian (a-SI-an) Asia
17.17a σὺν with τρισμυρίοις thirty-thousand ἀνδράσιν men διέβη crossed τὸν the Ἑλλήσποντον Hellespont 17.17b syn (syn) with trismyriois (tris-my-RI-ois) thirty-thousand andrasin (an-DRA-sin) men diebē (di-E-bē) crossed ton (ton) the Hellēsponton (Hel-LĒS-pon-ton) Hellespont
17.18a οἱ the στρατηγοὶ generals συνεβουλεύοντο deliberated-together μετὰ with τοῦ the βασιλέως king περὶ about τῆς the μάχης battle 17.18b hoi (hoi) the stratēgoi (stra-tē-GOI) generals synebouleuonto (sy-ne-bou-LEU-on-to) deliberated-together meta (me-TA) with tou (tou) the basileōs (ba-si-LE-ōs) king peri (pe-RI) about tēs (tēs) the machēs (MA-khēs) battle
17.19a μετὰ with δὲ and ταῦτα these-things ἐπορεύθησαν marched πρὸς toward Βαβυλῶνα Babylon 17.19b meta (me-TA) with de (de) and tauta (TAU-ta) these-things eporeuthēsan (e-po-REU-thē-san) marched pros (pros) toward Babylōna (Ba-by-LŌ-na) Babylon
17.20a Δαρεῖος Darius ἔφυγεν fled σὺν with ὀλίγοις few ἱππεῦσιν horsemen ἀπὸ from τοῦ the πεδίου plain 17.20b Dareios (Da-REI-os) Darius ephygen (E-phy-gen) fled syn (syn) with oligois (o-LI-gois) few hippeusin (hip-PEU-sin) horsemen apo (a-PO) from tou (tou) the pediou (pe-DI-ou) plain
17.21a συνήντησαν met μετ' with εἰρήνης peace οἱ the βασιλεῖς kings ἐν in Συρίᾳ Syria 17.21b synēntēsan (sy-NĒN-tē-san) met met' (met) with eirēnēs (ei-RĒ-nēs) peace hoi (hoi) the basileis (ba-si-LEIS) kings en (en) in Syria (Sy-RI-a) Syria
17.22a ὁ the ναύαρχος admiral ἔπλευσεν sailed μετὰ with ἑκατὸν hundred νεῶν ships 17.22b ho (ho) the nauarchos (NAU-ar-khos) admiral epleusen (E-pleu-sen) sailed meta (me-TA) with hekaton (he-ka-TON) hundred neōn (ne-ŌN) ships
17.23a σὺν with τῇ the ἡμέρᾳ day ἤρξαντο began τὴν the πολιορκίαν siege 17.23b syn (syn) with tē (tē) the hēmera (hē-ME-ra) day ērxanto (ĒR-ksan-to) began tēn (tēn) the poliorkian (po-li-or-KI-an) siege
17.24a ἐνίκησεν conquered μετὰ with τῆς the βοηθείας help τῶν the συμμάχων allies 17.24b enikēsen (e-NI-kē-sen) conquered meta (me-TA) with tēs (tēs) the boētheias (bo-ē-THEI-as) help tōn (tōn) the symmachōn (sym-MA-khōn) allies
17.25a μετὰ with τὸν the θάνατον death Ἀλεξάνδρου Alexander's διεμερίσθη was-divided ἡ the ἀρχή empire 17.25b meta (me-TA) with ton (ton) the thanaton (THA-na-ton) death Alexandrou (a-lek-SAN-drou) Alexander's diemeristhē (di-e-me-RIS-thē) was-divided hē (hē) the archē (ar-KHĒ) empire
17.26a συνεστράτευσαν campaigned-together σὺν with αὐτῷ him πολλοὶ many Ἕλληνες Greeks 17.26b synestrateusan (sy-ne-STRA-teu-san) campaigned-together syn (syn) with autō (au-TŌ) him polloi (pol-LOI) many Hellēnes (HEL-lē-nes) Greeks
17.27a οἱ the Πέρσαι Persians ἐμάχοντο fought μετὰ with θυμοῦ spirit πρὸς against τοὺς the ἐχθρούς enemies 17.27b hoi (hoi) the Persai (PER-sai) Persians emachonto (e-MA-khon-to) fought meta (me-TA) with thymou (thy-MOU) spirit pros (pros) against tous (tous) the echthrous (ekh-THROUS) enemies
17.28a διέμεινεν remained ὁ the φιλόσοφος philosopher σὺν with τῷ the βασιλεῖ king ἔτη years πέντε five 17.28b diemeinen (di-E-mei-nen) remained ho (ho) the philosophos (phi-LO-so-phos) philosopher syn (syn) with tō (tō) the basilei (ba-si-LEI) king etē (E-tē) years pente (PEN-te) five
17.29a μετὰ with τούτων these οἱ the ἱερεῖς priests προσέφερον offered θυσίας sacrifices 17.29b meta (me-TA) with toutōn (TOU-tōn) these hoi (hoi) the hiereis (hi-e-REIS) priests prosepheron (pros-E-phe-ron) offered thysias (thy-SI-as) sacrifices
17.30a ἐπανῆλθον returned σὺν with δόξῃ glory καὶ and πλούτῳ wealth εἰς into τὴν the πατρίδα homeland 17.30b epanēlthon (e-pa-NĒL-thon) returned syn (syn) with doxē (DO-ksē) glory kai (kai) and ploutō (PLOU-tō) wealth eis (eis) into tēn (tēn) the patrida (pa-TRI-da) homeland
17.16 Ἀλέξανδρος ἐστράτευσεν μετὰ τῶν Μακεδόνων εἰς τὴν Ἀσίαν. Alexander campaigned with the Macedonians into Asia.
17.17 σὺν τρισμυρίοις ἀνδράσιν διέβη τὸν Ἑλλήσποντον. With thirty thousand men he crossed the Hellespont.
17.18 οἱ στρατηγοὶ συνεβουλεύοντο μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως περὶ τῆς μάχης. The generals deliberated with the king about the battle.
17.19 μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἐπορεύθησαν πρὸς Βαβυλῶνα. After these things they marched toward Babylon.
17.20 Δαρεῖος ἔφυγεν σὺν ὀλίγοις ἱππεῦσιν ἀπὸ τοῦ πεδίου. Darius fled with few horsemen from the plain.
17.21 συνήντησαν μετ' εἰρήνης οἱ βασιλεῖς ἐν Συρίᾳ. The kings met with peace in Syria.
17.22 ὁ ναύαρχος ἔπλευσεν μετὰ ἑκατὸν νεῶν. The admiral sailed with a hundred ships.
17.23 σὺν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἤρξαντο τὴν πολιορκίαν. With the day they began the siege.
17.24 ἐνίκησεν μετὰ τῆς βοηθείας τῶν συμμάχων. He conquered with the help of the allies.
17.25 μετὰ τὸν θάνατον Ἀλεξάνδρου διεμερίσθη ἡ ἀρχή. After Alexander's death the empire was divided.
17.26 συνεστράτευσαν σὺν αὐτῷ πολλοὶ Ἕλληνες. Many Greeks campaigned together with him.
17.27 οἱ Πέρσαι ἐμάχοντο μετὰ θυμοῦ πρὸς τοὺς ἐχθρούς. The Persians fought with spirit against the enemies.
17.28 διέμεινεν ὁ φιλόσοφος σὺν τῷ βασιλεῖ ἔτη πέντε. The philosopher remained with the king five years.
17.29 μετὰ τούτων οἱ ἱερεῖς προσέφερον θυσίας. With these things the priests offered sacrifices.
17.30 ἐπανῆλθον σὺν δόξῃ καὶ πλούτῳ εἰς τὴν πατρίδα. They returned with glory and wealth to the homeland.
17.16 Ἀλέξανδρος ἐστράτευσεν μετὰ τῶν Μακεδόνων εἰς τὴν Ἀσίαν.
17.17 σὺν τρισμυρίοις ἀνδράσιν διέβη τὸν Ἑλλήσποντον.
17.18 οἱ στρατηγοὶ συνεβουλεύοντο μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως περὶ τῆς μάχης.
17.19 μετὰ δὲ ταῦτα ἐπορεύθησαν πρὸς Βαβυλῶνα.
17.20 Δαρεῖος ἔφυγεν σὺν ὀλίγοις ἱππεῦσιν ἀπὸ τοῦ πεδίου.
17.21 συνήντησαν μετ' εἰρήνης οἱ βασιλεῖς ἐν Συρίᾳ.
17.22 ὁ ναύαρχος ἔπλευσεν μετὰ ἑκατὸν νεῶν.
17.23 σὺν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἤρξαντο τὴν πολιορκίαν.
17.24 ἐνίκησεν μετὰ τῆς βοηθείας τῶν συμμάχων.
17.25 μετὰ τὸν θάνατον Ἀλεξάνδρου διεμερίσθη ἡ ἀρχή.
17.26 συνεστράτευσαν σὺν αὐτῷ πολλοὶ Ἕλληνες.
17.27 οἱ Πέρσαι ἐμάχοντο μετὰ θυμοῦ πρὸς τοὺς ἐχθρούς.
17.28 διέμεινεν ὁ φιλόσοφος σὺν τῷ βασιλεῖ ἔτη πέντε.
17.29 μετὰ τούτων οἱ ἱερεῖς προσέφερον θυσίας.
17.30 ἐπανῆλθον σὺν δόξῃ καὶ πλούτῳ εἰς τὴν πατρίδα.
In historical narrative, both μετά and σύν appear frequently, often with subtle distinctions:
Military Contexts: -
μετά + genitive: general accompaniment of troops -
σύν + dative: emphasizes unified military action -
Note compound verbs: συστρατεύω (campaign together)
Temporal Usage: -
μετὰ ταῦτα (after these things) - common transitional phrase -
μετὰ + accusative = "after" (temporal) -
Watch for this shift from "with" to "after"
Numbers and Groups: -
Both prepositions work with numbers -
σύν often with specific military units -
μετά common with general forces
Historical Style Features: -
Tendency toward σύν in formal/literary contexts -
μετά in straightforward narrative -
Compound verbs with συν- very common
Common Historical Phrases: -
μετὰ τῶν συμμάχων (with the allies) -
σὺν θεῷ (with god's help) -
μετὰ δυνάμεως (with power/force) -
σὺν ὅπλοις (with weapons)
This genre shows how both prepositions function in connected narrative, demonstrating their flexibility and the subtle choices available to Greek historians.
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Our method emphasizes: -
Extensive contextual exposure through authentic texts -
Granular interlinear glossing for complete comprehension -
Cultural and historical context to deepen understanding -
Progressive complexity building from simple to sophisticated usage
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