Welcome to Lesson 18 of the Latinum Institute's Koine Greek course. In this lesson, we will explore the Greek preposition ἐπί (epi), which commonly translates as "on" in English. This versatile preposition is fundamental to understanding Greek texts, appearing frequently in the New Testament and other Hellenistic literature.
For the complete course index and additional lessons, please visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
Definition: ἐπί (epi) is a Greek preposition that primarily means "on" or "upon," but its meaning varies significantly depending on the case it governs. With the genitive, it often means "on" or "over"; with the dative, "on" or "at"; and with the accusative, "onto" or "against."
FAQ Schema Question: What does ἐπί mean in Koine Greek? Answer: ἐπί (epi) is a preposition meaning "on," "upon," "over," "at," or "against," depending on the grammatical case of its object. It is one of the most common prepositions in Koine Greek.
Educational Schema Course: Koine Greek Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Greek Prepositions - ἐπί Learning Objectives: Understand the various uses of ἐπί with different cases; recognize ἐπί in authentic texts; properly translate sentences containing ἐπί
How this word will be used: In our lesson examples, you will encounter ἐπί used with all three cases (genitive, dative, and accusative), demonstrating its semantic range from literal spatial relationships to metaphorical and temporal uses.
Key Takeaways: -
ἐπί is a versatile preposition that changes meaning based on case -
With genitive: often "on, over, in the time of" -
With dative: often "on, at, beside" -
With accusative: often "onto, to, against" -
Context is crucial for proper translation -
This preposition appears frequently in biblical and classical texts
18.1a ὁ (ho) the βιβλίον (bi-bli-on) book κεῖται (kei-tai) lies ἐπὶ (e-pi) on τῆς (tēs) the τραπέζης (tra-pe-zēs) table 18.1b ὁ the βιβλίον book κεῖται lies ἐπὶ on τῆς the τραπέζης table
18.2a ἐπὶ (e-pi) on τοῦ (tou) the ὄρους (o-rous) mountain ὁ (ho) the Ἰησοῦς (I-ē-sous) Jesus ἐδίδασκεν (e-di-das-ken) was-teaching 18.2b ἐπὶ on τοῦ the ὄρους mountain ὁ the Ἰησοῦς Jesus ἐδίδασκεν was-teaching
18.3a οἱ (hoi) the μαθηταὶ (ma-thē-tai) disciples ἐκάθισαν (e-ka-thi-san) sat ἐπὶ (e-pi) on τῇ (tē) the γῇ (gē) ground 18.3b οἱ the μαθηταὶ disciples ἐκάθισαν sat ἐπὶ on τῇ the γῇ ground
18.4a ἦλθεν (ēl-then) he-came ἐπὶ (e-pi) onto τὴν (tēn) the πόλιν (po-lin) city 18.4b ἦλθεν he-came ἐπὶ onto τὴν the πόλιν city
18.5a ὁ (ho) the βασιλεὺς (ba-si-leus) king βασιλεύει (ba-si-leu-ei) rules ἐπὶ (e-pi) over πάντων (pan-tōn) all 18.5b ὁ the βασιλεὺς king βασιλεύει rules ἐπὶ over πάντων all
18.6a ἐπὶ (e-pi) in Πιλάτου (Pi-la-tou) Pilate ἐσταυρώθη (e-stau-rō-thē) he-was-crucified 18.6b ἐπὶ in Πιλάτου Pilate ἐσταυρώθη he-was-crucified
18.7a τὸ (to) the πνεῦμα (pneu-ma) spirit κατέβη (ka-te-bē) descended ἐπʼ (ep') upon αὐτόν (au-ton) him 18.7b τὸ the πνεῦμα spirit κατέβη descended ἐπʼ upon αὐτόν him
18.8a ἐπὶ (e-pi) at τῇ (tē) the θαλάσσῃ (tha-las-sē) sea περιεπάτει (pe-ri-e-pa-tei) he-was-walking 18.8b ἐπὶ at τῇ the θαλάσσῃ sea περιεπάτει he-was-walking
18.9a ἔθηκεν (e-thē-ken) he-placed τὴν (tēn) the χεῖρα (khei-ra) hand ἐπὶ (e-pi) on τὴν (tēn) the κεφαλὴν (ke-pha-lēn) head αὐτοῦ (au-tou) his 18.9b ἔθηκεν he-placed τὴν the χεῖρα hand ἐπὶ on τὴν the κεφαλὴν head αὐτοῦ his
18.10a οἱ (hoi) the στρατιῶται (stra-ti-ō-tai) soldiers ἐπορεύθησαν (e-po-reu-thē-san) marched ἐπὶ (e-pi) against τοὺς (tous) the ἐχθρούς (ekh-throus) enemies 18.10b οἱ the στρατιῶται soldiers ἐπορεύθησαν marched ἐπὶ against τοὺς the ἐχθρούς enemies
18.11a ἐπʼ (ep') on ἀληθείας (a-lē-thei-as) truth λέγω (le-gō) I-speak ὑμῖν (hu-min) to-you 18.11b ἐπʼ on ἀληθείας truth λέγω I-speak ὑμῖν to-you
18.12a ἡ (hē) the δόξα (do-xa) glory τοῦ (tou) the θεοῦ (the-ou) God ἦν (ēn) was ἐπʼ (ep') upon αὐτῷ (au-tō) him 18.12b ἡ the δόξα glory τοῦ the θεοῦ God ἦν was ἐπʼ upon αὐτῷ him
18.13a καθίσατε (ka-thi-sa-te) sit ὧδε (hō-de) here ἐπὶ (e-pi) for μικρόν (mi-kron) a-little-while 18.13b καθίσατε sit ὧδε here ἐπὶ for μικρόν a-little-while
18.14a ἐπὶ (e-pi) on τῷ (tō) the ὀνόματι (o-no-ma-ti) name αὐτοῦ (au-tou) his πιστεύομεν (pi-steu-o-men) we-believe 18.14b ἐπὶ on τῷ the ὀνόματι name αὐτοῦ his πιστεύομεν we-believe
18.15a χαρὰ (kha-ra) joy ἐγένετο (e-ge-ne-to) came ἐπὶ (e-pi) over πᾶσαν (pa-san) all τὴν (tēn) the γῆν (gēn) earth 18.15b χαρὰ joy ἐγένετο came ἐπὶ over πᾶσαν all τὴν the γῆν earth
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
18.1 ὁ βιβλίον κεῖται ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης. The book lies on the table.
18.2 ἐπὶ τοῦ ὄρους ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐδίδασκεν. On the mountain Jesus was teaching.
18.3 οἱ μαθηταὶ ἐκάθισαν ἐπὶ τῇ γῇ. The disciples sat on the ground.
18.4 ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν. He came to the city.
18.5 ὁ βασιλεὺς βασιλεύει ἐπὶ πάντων. The king rules over all.
18.6 ἐπὶ Πιλάτου ἐσταυρώθη. In the time of Pilate he was crucified.
18.7 τὸ πνεῦμα κατέβη ἐπʼ αὐτόν. The spirit descended upon him.
18.8 ἐπὶ τῇ θαλάσσῃ περιεπάτει. He was walking on the sea.
18.9 ἔθηκεν τὴν χεῖρα ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ. He placed his hand on his head.
18.10 οἱ στρατιῶται ἐπορεύθησαν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς. The soldiers marched against the enemies.
18.11 ἐπʼ ἀληθείας λέγω ὑμῖν. In truth I speak to you.
18.12 ἡ δόξα τοῦ θεοῦ ἦν ἐπʼ αὐτῷ. The glory of God was upon him.
18.13 καθίσατε ὧδε ἐπὶ μικρόν. Sit here for a little while.
18.14 ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ πιστεύομεν. In his name we believe.
18.15 χαρὰ ἐγένετο ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν. Joy came over all the earth.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
18.1 ὁ βιβλίον κεῖται ἐπὶ τῆς τραπέζης.
18.2 ἐπὶ τοῦ ὄρους ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐδίδασκεν.
18.3 οἱ μαθηταὶ ἐκάθισαν ἐπὶ τῇ γῇ.
18.4 ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν.
18.5 ὁ βασιλεὺς βασιλεύει ἐπὶ πάντων.
18.6 ἐπὶ Πιλάτου ἐσταυρώθη.
18.7 τὸ πνεῦμα κατέβη ἐπʼ αὐτόν.
18.8 ἐπὶ τῇ θαλάσσῃ περιεπάτει.
18.9 ἔθηκεν τὴν χεῖρα ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ.
18.10 οἱ στρατιῶται ἐπορεύθησαν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς.
18.11 ἐπʼ ἀληθείας λέγω ὑμῖν.
18.12 ἡ δόξα τοῦ θεοῦ ἦν ἐπʼ αὐτῷ.
18.13 καθίσατε ὧδε ἐπὶ μικρόν.
18.14 ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ πιστεύομεν.
18.15 χαρὰ ἐγένετο ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Grammar Rules for ἐπί
The preposition ἐπί is one of the most versatile in Koine Greek, taking all three cases with distinct meanings:
With Genitive Case: -
Primary meaning: "on, upon" (location) -
Temporal meaning: "in the time of, during" -
Authority: "over, in charge of" -
Example: ἐπὶ τοῦ ὄρους = "on the mountain"
With Dative Case: -
Primary meaning: "on, at" (rest/position) -
Basis/grounds: "on the basis of" -
Addition: "in addition to" -
Example: ἐπὶ τῇ γῇ = "on the ground"
With Accusative Case: -
Primary meaning: "onto, to" (motion toward) -
Hostile motion: "against" -
Extension: "over, throughout" -
Example: ἐπὶ τὴν πόλιν = "to/onto the city"
Step-by-Step Guide for Understanding ἐπί: -
First, identify the case of the noun following ἐπί -
Consider whether the context implies motion or rest -
Check if the meaning is literal (spatial) or metaphorical -
Remember that genitive often = position, dative = location, accusative = direction
Common Mistakes: -
Assuming one meaning: English speakers often assume ἐπί always means "on," but it has many meanings depending on case and context. -
Ignoring case: The case of the following noun is crucial. ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς (gen.) = "on the earth," but ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν (acc.) = "onto the earth." -
Literal translation: Not all uses of ἐπί translate literally as "on." For example, ἐπὶ Πιλάτου means "in the time of Pilate," not "on Pilate." -
Confusing with other prepositions: ἐπί overlaps in meaning with ἐν (in), πρός (to/toward), and κατά (against), but each has distinct uses.
Comparison with English:
Unlike English "on," which is relatively straightforward, Greek ἐπί: -
Changes meaning based on grammatical case -
Can indicate time periods (unlike English "on") -
Can mean "against" in hostile contexts -
Is used in many idiomatic expressions
Grammatical Summary: -
Form: ἐπί (becomes ἐπʼ before vowels, ἐφʼ before rough breathing) -
Cases governed: Genitive, Dative, Accusative -
Position: Usually precedes its object -
Can be used as a prefix in compound verbs (e.g., ἐπιγινώσκω = "to know fully")
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
For English speakers learning Koine Greek, understanding ἐπί requires appreciating how ancient Greeks conceptualized spatial relationships differently than modern English speakers.
In the Hellenistic world, ἐπί was used extensively in official documents, particularly with the genitive to date events by rulers' reigns (e.g., "in the time of Caesar Augustus"). This usage appears frequently in the New Testament and historical texts.
The metaphorical uses of ἐπί reflect Greek philosophical thought. When used with abstract concepts like "truth" (ἐπʼ ἀληθείας), it suggests a foundation or basis, reflecting the Greek emphasis on establishing arguments on solid ground.
In religious contexts, ἐπί often describes divine action "upon" humans (the Spirit descending "upon" someone), reflecting ancient Near Eastern concepts of divine presence and power coming from above.
Maritime cultures of the Mediterranean used ἐπί with the sea (θάλασσα) in ways that might surprise English speakers—walking "on" water uses the same construction as being "at" the seashore, requiring context to distinguish miraculous from mundane events.
Understanding ἐπί also helps English speakers grasp Greek compound verbs. Many important theological terms include ἐπί as a prefix: ἐπιφάνεια (epiphany, appearance), ἐπίγνωσις (full knowledge), ἐπιστρέφω (to turn to, convert).
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
From the Gospel of Matthew 14:25-26 (walking on water):
τετάρτῃ (te-tar-tē) fourth δὲ (de) and φυλακῇ (phu-la-kē) watch τῆς (tēs) the νυκτὸς (nuk-tos) night ἦλθεν (ēl-then) came πρὸς (pros) to αὐτοὺς (au-tous) them περιπατῶν (pe-ri-pa-tōn) walking ἐπὶ (e-pi) on τὴν (tēn) the θάλασσαν (tha-las-san) sea οἱ (hoi) the δὲ (de) and μαθηταὶ (ma-thē-tai) disciples ἰδόντες (i-don-tes) seeing αὐτὸν (au-ton) him ἐπὶ (e-pi) on τῆς (tēs) the θαλάσσης (tha-las-sēs) sea περιπατοῦντα (pe-ri-pa-toun-ta) walking ἐταράχθησαν (e-ta-rakh-thē-san) were-troubled
τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν. οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν.
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But the disciples, seeing him walking on the sea, were troubled.
τετάρτῃ δὲ φυλακῇ τῆς νυκτὸς ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν. οἱ δὲ μαθηταὶ ἰδόντες αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης περιπατοῦντα ἐταράχθησαν.
This passage beautifully illustrates the different uses of ἐπί with different cases. Notice how Matthew uses ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν (accusative) when describing Jesus coming "onto" the sea, suggesting motion, but then switches to ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης (genitive) when the disciples observe him already "on" the sea, indicating position.
This grammatical distinction helps convey the narrative movement: Jesus approaches by walking onto the water (accusative of motion), and the disciples see him positioned on the water (genitive of position). The shift in cases mirrors the shift in perspective from Jesus's action to the disciples' perception.
The phrase "fourth watch of the night" reflects Roman military time-keeping (around 3-6 AM), showing how Greek absorbed Roman cultural elements. The use of περιπατῶν/περιπατοῦντα (walking) with ἐπί emphasizes the miraculous nature of the event—what would normally require a boat is accomplished on foot.
For English speakers, note that while we might say "walking on water," Greek's case system allows for more nuanced expression of the spatial relationships involved in this miraculous scene.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
18.16a ὁ (ho) the Ἀλέξανδρος (A-lex-an-dros) Alexander ἐστράτευσεν (e-stra-teu-sen) campaigned ἐπὶ (e-pi) against τοὺς (tous) the Πέρσας (Per-sas) Persians 18.16b ὁ the Ἀλέξανδρος Alexander ἐστράτευσεν campaigned ἐπὶ against τοὺς the Πέρσας Persians
18.17a ἐπὶ (e-pi) for τρεῖς (treis) three ἡμέρας (hē-me-ras) days ἡ (hē) the μάχη (ma-khē) battle συνεχίζετο (su-ne-khi-ze-to) continued 18.17b ἐπὶ for τρεῖς three ἡμέρας days ἡ the μάχη battle συνεχίζετο continued
18.18a οἱ (hoi) the Ἕλληνες (Hel-lē-nes) Greeks ἔστησαν (e-stē-san) set-up τὸ (to) the στρατόπεδον (stra-to-pe-don) camp ἐπὶ (e-pi) on τοῦ (tou) the λόφου (lo-phou) hill 18.18b οἱ the Ἕλληνες Greeks ἔστησαν set-up τὸ the στρατόπεδον camp ἐπὶ on τοῦ the λόφου hill
18.19a ἐπὶ (e-pi) in τῆς (tēs) the βασιλείας (ba-si-lei-as) reign Δαρείου (Da-rei-ou) Darius πόλεμος (po-le-mos) war ἐγένετο (e-ge-ne-to) happened 18.19b ἐπὶ in τῆς the βασιλείας reign Δαρείου Darius πόλεμος war ἐγένετο happened
18.20a ἡ (hē) the φάλαγξ (pha-lanx) phalanx προσέβαλεν (pro-se-ba-len) attacked ἐπὶ (e-pi) against τὸ (to) the δεξιὸν (de-xi-on) right κέρας (ke-ras) wing 18.20b ἡ the φάλαγξ phalanx προσέβαλεν attacked ἐπὶ against τὸ the δεξιὸν right κέρας wing
18.21a νίκη (ni-kē) victory ἐγένετο (e-ge-ne-to) came ἐπὶ (e-pi) to τοῖς (tois) the Μακεδόσιν (Ma-ke-do-sin) Macedonians 18.21b νίκη victory ἐγένετο came ἐπὶ to τοῖς the Μακεδόσιν Macedonians
18.22a ἐπὶ (e-pi) at τῷ (tō) the ποταμῷ (po-ta-mō) river Γρανικῷ (Gra-ni-kō) Granicus πρώτη (prō-tē) first μάχη (ma-khē) battle ἦν (ēn) was 18.22b ἐπὶ at τῷ the ποταμῷ river Γρανικῷ Granicus πρώτη first μάχη battle ἦν was
18.23a ὁ (ho) the στρατηγὸς (stra-tē-gos) general ἐπέταξεν (e-pe-ta-xen) commanded ἐπὶ (e-pi) over χιλίων (khi-li-ōn) thousand ἱππέων (hip-pe-ōn) cavalry 18.23b ὁ the στρατηγὸς general ἐπέταξεν commanded ἐπὶ over χιλίων thousand ἱππέων cavalry
18.24a τρόπαιον (tro-pai-on) trophy ἔστησαν (e-stē-san) they-erected ἐπὶ (e-pi) on τῷ (tō) the πεδίῳ (pe-di-ō) plain 18.24b τρόπαιον trophy ἔστησαν they-erected ἐπὶ on τῷ the πεδίῳ plain
18.25a ἐπὶ (e-pi) for πολὺν (po-lun) much χρόνον (khro-non) time ἡ (hē) the πολιορκία (po-li-or-ki-a) siege διήρκεσεν (di-ēr-ke-sen) lasted 18.25b ἐπὶ for πολὺν much χρόνον time ἡ the πολιορκία siege διήρκεσεν lasted
18.26a οἱ (hoi) the πρέσβεις (pres-beis) ambassadors ἦλθον (ēl-thon) came ἐπὶ (e-pi) before τὸν (ton) the βασιλέα (ba-si-le-a) king 18.26b οἱ the πρέσβεις ambassadors ἦλθον came ἐπὶ before τὸν the βασιλέα king
18.27a φόβος (pho-bos) fear ἐπέπεσεν (e-pe-pe-sen) fell ἐπὶ (e-pi) upon πάντας (pan-tas) all τοὺς (tous) the πολεμίους (po-le-mi-ous) enemies 18.27b φόβος fear ἐπέπεσεν fell ἐπὶ upon πάντας all τοὺς the πολεμίους enemies
18.28a ἐπὶ (e-pi) at τῇ (tē) the ἕῳ (he-ō) dawn ἡ (hē) the ἐπίθεσις (e-pi-the-sis) attack ἤρξατο (ēr-xa-to) began 18.28b ἐπὶ at τῇ the ἕῳ dawn ἡ the ἐπίθεσις attack ἤρξατο began
18.29a χιλίαρχος (khi-li-ar-khos) commander ἐτάχθη (e-takh-thē) was-appointed ἐπὶ (e-pi) over τῆς (tēs) the φρουρᾶς (phrou-ras) garrison 18.29b χιλίαρχος commander ἐτάχθη was-appointed ἐπὶ over τῆς the φρουρᾶς garrison
18.30a ἐπὶ (e-pi) to τὴν (tēn) the Ἀσίαν (A-si-an) Asia ὁ (ho) the στόλος (sto-los) fleet ἔπλευσεν (e-pleu-sen) sailed 18.30b ἐπὶ to τὴν the Ἀσίαν Asia ὁ the στόλος fleet ἔπλευσεν sailed
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
18.16 ὁ Ἀλέξανδρος ἐστράτευσεν ἐπὶ τοὺς Πέρσας. Alexander campaigned against the Persians.
18.17 ἐπὶ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἡ μάχη συνεχίζετο. For three days the battle continued.
18.18 οἱ Ἕλληνες ἔστησαν τὸ στρατόπεδον ἐπὶ τοῦ λόφου. The Greeks set up the camp on the hill.
18.19 ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλείας Δαρείου πόλεμος ἐγένετο. In the reign of Darius war happened.
18.20 ἡ φάλαγξ προσέβαλεν ἐπὶ τὸ δεξιὸν κέρας. The phalanx attacked against the right wing.
18.21 νίκη ἐγένετο ἐπὶ τοῖς Μακεδόσιν. Victory came to the Macedonians.
18.22 ἐπὶ τῷ ποταμῷ Γρανικῷ πρώτη μάχη ἦν. At the river Granicus was the first battle.
18.23 ὁ στρατηγὸς ἐπέταξεν ἐπὶ χιλίων ἱππέων. The general commanded over a thousand cavalry.
18.24 τρόπαιον ἔστησαν ἐπὶ τῷ πεδίῳ. They erected a trophy on the plain.
18.25 ἐπὶ πολὺν χρόνον ἡ πολιορκία διήρκεσεν. For a long time the siege lasted.
18.26 οἱ πρέσβεις ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα. The ambassadors came before the king.
18.27 φόβος ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς πολεμίους. Fear fell upon all the enemies.
18.28 ἐπὶ τῇ ἕῳ ἡ ἐπίθεσις ἤρξατο. At dawn the attack began.
18.29 χιλίαρχος ἐτάχθη ἐπὶ τῆς φρουρᾶς. A commander was appointed over the garrison.
18.30 ἐπὶ τὴν Ἀσίαν ὁ στόλος ἔπλευσεν. To Asia the fleet sailed.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
18.16 ὁ Ἀλέξανδρος ἐστράτευσεν ἐπὶ τοὺς Πέρσας.
18.17 ἐπὶ τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἡ μάχη συνεχίζετο.
18.18 οἱ Ἕλληνες ἔστησαν τὸ στρατόπεδον ἐπὶ τοῦ λόφου.
18.19 ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλείας Δαρείου πόλεμος ἐγένετο.
18.20 ἡ φάλαγξ προσέβαλεν ἐπὶ τὸ δεξιὸν κέρας.
18.21 νίκη ἐγένετο ἐπὶ τοῖς Μακεδόσιν.
18.22 ἐπὶ τῷ ποταμῷ Γρανικῷ πρώτη μάχη ἦν.
18.23 ὁ στρατηγὸς ἐπέταξεν ἐπὶ χιλίων ἱππέων.
18.24 τρόπαιον ἔστησαν ἐπὶ τῷ πεδίῳ.
18.25 ἐπὶ πολὺν χρόνον ἡ πολιορκία διήρκεσεν.
18.26 οἱ πρέσβεις ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα.
18.27 φόβος ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς πολεμίους.
18.28 ἐπὶ τῇ ἕῳ ἡ ἐπίθεσις ἤρξατο.
18.29 χιλίαρχος ἐτάχθη ἐπὶ τῆς φρουρᾶς.
18.30 ἐπὶ τὴν Ἀσίαν ὁ στόλος ἔπλευσεν.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
In historical narrative, ἐπί displays distinctive patterns that English speakers should recognize:
Military Contexts: -
ἐπί + accusative often indicates military campaigns "against" (ἐπὶ τοὺς Πέρσας) -
ἐπί + genitive shows command "over" troops (ἐπὶ χιλίων ἱππέων) -
ἐπί + dative marks battle locations "at" (ἐπὶ τῷ ποταμῷ)
Temporal Uses in Historical Writing: -
ἐπί + genitive for dating by reigns: ἐπὶ τῆς βασιλείας = "in the reign of" -
ἐπί + accusative for duration: ἐπὶ τρεῖς ἡμέρας = "for three days" -
This differs from English, which uses various prepositions (in, during, for)
Geographical Movement: Historical narratives frequently use ἐπί + accusative for military expeditions and naval voyages (ἐπὶ τὴν Ἀσίαν = "to Asia"). This reflects the Greek conceptualization of military campaigns as movement "against" or "upon" territories.
Common Historical Formulas: -
Victory formulas: νίκη ἐγένετο ἐπί + dative (victory came to...) -
Command appointments: τάσσω ἐπί + genitive (appoint over...) -
Emotional/psychological effects: φόβος ἐπέπεσεν ἐπί + accusative (fear fell upon...)
These patterns help English speakers read Greek historical texts more fluently, recognizing ἐπί as a marker of military action, temporal reference, and spatial relationships crucial to historical narrative.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006, pioneering self-paced study methods for ancient languages. These lessons are specifically designed for autodidacts—independent learners who prefer to study at their own pace without formal classroom instruction.
Each lesson in this Koine Greek series follows a consistent, proven format that facilitates self-directed learning:
Structured Approach: Every lesson focuses on a single grammatical element or vocabulary item, providing multiple examples in carefully crafted contexts. This repetition with variation helps learners internalize patterns naturally.
Interlinear Method: The detailed word-by-word glossing in Section A allows beginners to understand exactly how Greek sentences are constructed, making the language accessible from the very first lesson.
Progressive Difficulty: Sentences progress from simple to complex, and the genre section introduces learners to authentic Greek prose styles, preparing them for reading original texts.
Cultural Integration: Language learning is embedded within cultural and historical contexts, helping learners understand not just what ancient Greeks said, but why and how they said it.
No Prerequisites: These lessons assume no prior knowledge of Greek or formal linguistic training. Grammar is explained in plain English with practical examples.
The Latinum Institute's method has proven successful for thousands of learners worldwide, as evidenced by reviews at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk. The approach combines traditional philological rigor with modern pedagogical insights, making ancient languages accessible to contemporary autodidacts.
For the complete course index and additional resources, visit: https://latinum.substack.com/p/index
---