Welcome to Lesson 45 of the Latinum Institute's Koine Greek course. This lesson focuses on the preposition περί (peri), which means "about" or "concerning" in English. For a complete index of all lessons in this course, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
Definition: The Greek preposition περί (peri) primarily means "about," "concerning," or "regarding." When used with the genitive case, it indicates the subject matter or topic of discussion, thought, or concern. When used with the accusative case, it can mean "around" in a spatial or temporal sense.
FAQ Schema Q: What does περί mean in Koine Greek? A: περί (peri) is a preposition meaning "about," "concerning," or "regarding" when used with the genitive case. It can also mean "around" when used with the accusative case.
Educational Schema Subject: Language Learning - Ancient Greek Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Greek Prepositions - περί (about) Learning Objective: Students will understand and use the preposition περί in various contexts Prerequisites: Basic understanding of Greek alphabet and cases
In this lesson, περί will be used in various contexts to demonstrate its flexibility and common usage patterns in Koine Greek. You will encounter it in discussions about topics, inquiries about people or things, and references to subject matters in both everyday and literary contexts.
Key Takeaways: -
περί + genitive = about, concerning, regarding -
περί + accusative = around (spatially or temporally) -
Common in philosophical and theological texts -
Often used to introduce topics of discussion or inquiry -
Essential for expressing "what something is about"
45.1a ὁ the διδάσκαλος teacher ἐλάλησε spoke περί concerning τοῦ the νόμου law 45.1b ho (ho) the didaskalos (di-das-ka-los) teacher elalēse (e-la-lē-se) spoke peri (pe-ri) concerning tou (tou) the nomou (no-mou) law
45.2a ἠρώτησαν they-asked αὐτόν him περί concerning τῆς the παραβολῆς parable 45.2b ērōtēsan (ē-rō-tē-san) they-asked auton (au-ton) him peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the parabolēs (pa-ra-bo-lēs) parable
45.3a τί what λέγεις you-say περί concerning τοῦ the προφήτου prophet 45.3b ti (ti) what legeis (le-geis) you-say peri (pe-ri) concerning tou (tou) the prophētou (pro-phē-tou) prophet
45.4a γέγραπται it-is-written περί concerning αὐτοῦ him ἐν in τῷ the βιβλίῳ book 45.4b gegraptai (ge-grap-tai) it-is-written peri (pe-ri) concerning autou (au-tou) him en (en) in tō (tō) the bibliō (bi-bli-ō) book
45.5a περί concerning τίνος whom ὁ the προφήτης prophet λέγει says τοῦτο this 45.5b peri (pe-ri) concerning tinos (ti-nos) whom ho (ho) the prophētēs (pro-phē-tēs) prophet legei (le-gei) says touto (tou-to) this
45.6a οἱ the μαθηταί disciples ἐζήτουν were-seeking περί concerning τοῦ the σημείου sign 45.6b hoi (hoi) the mathētai (ma-thē-tai) disciples ezētoun (e-zē-toun) were-seeking peri (pe-ri) concerning tou (tou) the sēmeiou (sē-mei-ou) sign
45.7a ἐδίδασκεν he-was-teaching περί concerning τῆς the βασιλείας kingdom τοῦ the θεοῦ God 45.7b edidasken (e-di-das-ken) he-was-teaching peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the basileias (ba-si-lei-as) kingdom tou (tou) the theou (the-ou) God
45.8a τί what οἴδατε you-know περί concerning τοῦ the Ἰησοῦ Jesus 45.8b ti (ti) what oidate (oi-da-te) you-know peri (pe-ri) concerning tou (tou) the Iēsou (I-ē-sou) Jesus
45.9a μαρτυρῶ I-testify περί concerning τῆς the ἀληθείας truth 45.9b martyrō (mar-ty-rō) I-testify peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the alētheias (a-lē-thei-as) truth
45.10a ἤκουσα I-heard περί concerning σοῦ you πολλά many-things 45.10b ēkousa (ē-kou-sa) I-heard peri (pe-ri) concerning sou (sou) you polla (pol-la) many-things
45.11a προσεύχομαι I-pray περί concerning ὑμῶν you-all πάντοτε always 45.11b proseuchomai (pros-eu-cho-mai) I-pray peri (pe-ri) concerning hymōn (hy-mōn) you-all pantote (pan-to-te) always
45.12a ἐγράφη it-was-written βιβλίον book περί concerning τῶν the ἔργων works αὐτοῦ his 45.12b egraphē (e-gra-phē) it-was-written biblion (bi-bli-on) book peri (pe-ri) concerning tōn (tōn) the ergōn (er-gōn) works autou (au-tou) his
45.13a διελογίζοντο they-were-discussing περί concerning τούτου this πρὸς to ἑαυτούς themselves 45.13b dielogizonto (di-e-lo-gi-zon-to) they-were-discussing peri (pe-ri) concerning toutou (tou-tou) this pros (pros) to heautous (he-au-tous) themselves
45.14a περί concerning πάντων all-things ὧν which ἐποίησεν he-did ὁ the Ἰησοῦς Jesus 45.14b peri (pe-ri) concerning pantōn (pan-tōn) all-things hōn (hōn) which epoiēsen (e-poi-ē-sen) he-did ho (ho) the Iēsous (I-ē-sous) Jesus
45.15a μέριμνα care περί concerning τῶν the τοῦ the κυρίου Lord πραγμάτων matters 45.15b merimna (me-rim-na) care peri (pe-ri) concerning tōn (tōn) the tou (tou) the kyriou (ky-ri-ou) Lord pragmatōn (prag-ma-tōn) matters
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45.1 ὁ διδάσκαλος ἐλάλησε περὶ τοῦ νόμου. The teacher spoke about the law.
45.2 ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν περὶ τῆς παραβολῆς. They asked him about the parable.
45.3 τί λέγεις περὶ τοῦ προφήτου; What do you say about the prophet?
45.4 γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ. It is written about him in the book.
45.5 περὶ τίνος ὁ προφήτης λέγει τοῦτο; About whom does the prophet say this?
45.6 οἱ μαθηταὶ ἐζήτουν περὶ τοῦ σημείου. The disciples were inquiring about the sign.
45.7 ἐδίδασκεν περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ. He was teaching about the kingdom of God.
45.8 τί οἴδατε περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ; What do you know about Jesus?
45.9 μαρτυρῶ περὶ τῆς ἀληθείας. I testify about the truth.
45.10 ἤκουσα περὶ σοῦ πολλά. I heard many things about you.
45.11 προσεύχομαι περὶ ὑμῶν πάντοτε. I pray about you always.
45.12 ἐγράφη βιβλίον περὶ τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ. A book was written about his works.
45.13 διελογίζοντο περὶ τούτου πρὸς ἑαυτούς. They were discussing about this among themselves.
45.14 περὶ πάντων ὧν ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς. Concerning all things which Jesus did.
45.15 μέριμνα περὶ τῶν τοῦ κυρίου πραγμάτων. Care about the matters of the Lord.
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45.1 ὁ διδάσκαλος ἐλάλησε περὶ τοῦ νόμου.
45.2 ἠρώτησαν αὐτὸν περὶ τῆς παραβολῆς.
45.3 τί λέγεις περὶ τοῦ προφήτου;
45.4 γέγραπται περὶ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ βιβλίῳ.
45.5 περὶ τίνος ὁ προφήτης λέγει τοῦτο;
45.6 οἱ μαθηταὶ ἐζήτουν περὶ τοῦ σημείου.
45.7 ἐδίδασκεν περὶ τῆς βασιλείας τοῦ θεοῦ.
45.8 τί οἴδατε περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ;
45.9 μαρτυρῶ περὶ τῆς ἀληθείας.
45.10 ἤκουσα περὶ σοῦ πολλά.
45.11 προσεύχομαι περὶ ὑμῶν πάντοτε.
45.12 ἐγράφη βιβλίον περὶ τῶν ἔργων αὐτοῦ.
45.13 διελογίζοντο περὶ τούτου πρὸς ἑαυτούς.
45.14 περὶ πάντων ὧν ἐποίησεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς.
45.15 μέριμνα περὶ τῶν τοῦ κυρίου πραγμάτων.
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The preposition περί is one of the most versatile prepositions in Koine Greek. Unlike English "about," which has a relatively straightforward usage, περί requires careful attention to case endings and context.
Primary Uses with Cases: -
περί + Genitive = "about, concerning, regarding" -
This is the most common usage for expressing "about" in the sense of topic or subject matter -
Example: περὶ τοῦ νόμου = "about the law" -
Used for: topics of discussion, subjects of inquiry, matters of concern -
περί + Accusative = "around" (spatial or temporal) -
Less common in the "about" meaning but important to recognize -
Example: περὶ τὴν πόλιν = "around the city" -
Can sometimes mean "about" in the sense of "approximately"
Common Mistakes: -
Case Confusion: English speakers often forget that περί requires specific cases. Remember: Genitive for "about/concerning," Accusative for "around." -
Word Order: Unlike English where "about" typically comes immediately before its object, Greek περί can be separated from its object by other words, especially in poetry or emphatic constructions. -
Overuse: Not every English "about" translates to περί. Sometimes Greek uses other constructions: -
ὑπέρ + genitive (on behalf of, concerning) -
Simple genitive without a preposition -
Accusative of respect -
Pronunciation: The iota in περί is always pronounced, unlike some other Greek words where final iota can be silent.
Step-by-Step Guide for Using περί: -
Identify what you want to say "about" -
Put that noun or pronoun in the genitive case -
Place περί before it (though Greek word order is flexible) -
Remember the genitive endings: -
Singular: -ου (masc/neut 2nd decl.), -ης (fem 1st decl.), various for 3rd decl. -
Plural: -ων (all genders)
Comparison with English: -
English uses "about" as an unchanging preposition -
Greek περί requires the following noun to change its ending (case) -
English "about" can be vague; Greek περί with genitive is specifically "concerning the topic of" -
Greek can place περί at various positions in the sentence for emphasis
Grammatical Summary:
περί is an improper preposition (can govern multiple cases): -
Form: περί (indeclinable) -
Primary meaning with genitive: about, concerning -
Secondary meaning with accusative: around -
Position: Usually before its object but can be separated for emphasis -
Common in: philosophical texts, questions, theological discussions
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The preposition περί held special significance in the intellectual culture of the Hellenistic world. Understanding its cultural resonance helps modern English speakers grasp why it appears so frequently in philosophical, theological, and scholarly texts.
Philosophical Tradition: In Greek philosophical writing, περί became the standard way to title treatises. Aristotle's works often bore titles like "Περὶ ψυχῆς" (About the Soul), "Περὶ οὐρανοῦ" (About the Heavens). This tradition continued through the Hellenistic period, making περί a marker of scholarly discourse.
Religious Contexts: In the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and New Testament, περί frequently introduces matters of spiritual concern or theological importance. When someone asks "περὶ τίνος" (about whom/what?), they're often seeking deeper understanding of prophetic or spiritual matters.
Social Interactions: Questions using περί were common in ancient educational settings. The teacher-student dialogues preserved in various texts show περί as a tool for Socratic questioning. A teacher might ask "τί λέγεις περὶ τούτου;" (What do you say about this?) to prompt deeper thinking.
Letter Writing: In Hellenistic letters, both personal and official, περί introduced the main topic of concern. "γράφω σοι περὶ..." (I write to you about...) was a standard opening formula, much like modern "Regarding..." in business correspondence.
Legal Language: In legal contexts, περί specified the matter under discussion or dispute. Court proceedings would identify the case as "περὶ" followed by the issue at hand, similar to modern case titles.
For English speakers, it's important to recognize that περί carried more weight than casual English "about." It often signaled serious, focused discussion rather than casual mention. When ancient authors used περί, they were usually introducing a topic for thorough examination, not merely touching on it in passing.
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οὗτος this-one ἦλθεν came εἰς for μαρτυρίαν witness ἵνα that μαρτυρήσῃ he-might-witness περὶ concerning τοῦ the φωτός light ἵνα that πάντες all πιστεύσωσιν might-believe δι' through αὐτοῦ him οὐκ not ἦν was ἐκεῖνος that-one τὸ the φῶς light ἀλλ' but ἵνα that μαρτυρήσῃ he-might-witness περὶ concerning τοῦ the φωτός light
houtos (hou-tos) this-one ēlthen (ēl-then) came eis (eis) for martyrian (mar-ty-ri-an) witness hina (hi-na) that martyrēsē (mar-ty-rē-sē) he-might-witness peri (pe-ri) concerning tou (tou) the phōtos (phō-tos) light hina (hi-na) that pantes (pan-tes) all pisteusōsin (pis-teu-sō-sin) might-believe di' (di) through autou (au-tou) him ouk (ouk) not ēn (ēn) was ekeinos (e-kei-nos) that-one to (to) the phōs (phōs) light all' (all) but hina (hi-na) that martyrēsē (mar-ty-rē-sē) he-might-witness peri (pe-ri) concerning tou (tou) the phōtos (phō-tos) light
οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν, ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός, ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσιν δι' αὐτοῦ. οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ φῶς, ἀλλ' ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός.
This one came for a witness, that he might witness about the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came that he might witness about the light.
οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν, ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός, ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσιν δι' αὐτοῦ. οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ φῶς, ἀλλ' ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός.
This passage from John's Gospel demonstrates the theological use of περί in early Christian literature. The repetition of "περὶ τοῦ φωτός" (about the light) emphasizes the central theme of testimony. For English speakers, several points deserve attention:
Grammatical Observations: Notice how περί takes the genitive case (τοῦ φωτός). The word φωτός is the genitive singular of φῶς (light), a third declension neuter noun. The repetition of the exact phrase "περὶ τοῦ φωτός" creates a rhetorical emphasis that English might achieve through italics or vocal stress.
Literary Style: The author uses περί to establish the purpose of John the Baptist's ministry - to testify "about" the light, not to be the light itself. This distinction, marked by περί, is crucial to Johannine theology. In English translations, "about" or "concerning" captures this testimonial relationship.
Cultural Background: In the Greco-Roman world, formal testimony (μαρτυρία) required clear specification of what the testimony concerned. The use of περί here follows legal and philosophical conventions where the subject matter must be precisely identified.
Theological Significance: The phrase μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός employs language familiar from Greek philosophical discourse about ultimate reality, but applies it to the Christian message. The "light" functions as a metaphor requiring testimony and explanation, hence the need for someone to speak "about" (περί) it rather than simply point to it.
For modern readers, this passage illustrates how περί functions in formal, theological discourse - introducing not just any topic, but matters of ultimate significance requiring careful testimony and explanation.
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45.16a ὁ the Σωκράτης Socrates ἤρξατο began λέγειν to-speak περὶ concerning τῆς the ἀρετῆς virtue 45.16b ho (ho) the Sōkratēs (Sō-kra-tēs) Socrates ērxato (ēr-xa-to) began legein (le-gein) to-speak peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the aretēs (a-re-tēs) virtue
45.17a τί what οἴει you-think περὶ concerning τῆς the δικαιοσύνης justice ὦ O Γλαύκων Glaucon 45.17b ti (ti) what oiei (oi-ei) you-think peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the dikaiosynēs (di-kai-o-sy-nēs) justice ō (ō) O Glaukōn (Glau-kōn) Glaucon
45.18a πολλοὶ many τῶν the σοφῶν wise-men ἔγραψαν wrote περὶ concerning τῆς the εὐδαιμονίας happiness 45.18b polloi (pol-loi) many tōn (tōn) the sophōn (so-phōn) wise-men egrapsan (e-grap-san) wrote peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the eudaimonias (eu-dai-mo-ni-as) happiness
45.19a διαλεγώμεθα let-us-discuss περὶ concerning τῆς the ψυχῆς soul καὶ and τοῦ the σώματος body 45.19b dialegōmetha (di-a-le-gō-me-tha) let-us-discuss peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the psychēs (psy-chēs) soul kai (kai) and tou (tou) the sōmatos (sō-ma-tos) body
45.20a ἀπορῶ I-am-puzzled περὶ concerning τούτων these-things ὧν which λέγεις you-say 45.20b aporō (a-po-rō) I-am-puzzled peri (pe-ri) concerning toutōn (tou-tōn) these-things hōn (hōn) which legeis (le-geis) you-say
45.21a οἱ the νέοι young-men ἐζήτουν were-seeking μαθεῖν to-learn περὶ concerning τῆς the σοφίας wisdom 45.21b hoi (hoi) the neoi (ne-oi) young-men ezētoun (e-zē-toun) were-seeking mathein (ma-thein) to-learn peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the sophias (so-phi-as) wisdom
45.22a σκεψώμεθα let-us-examine περὶ concerning τῆς the φύσεως nature τῶν the πραγμάτων things 45.22b skepsōmetha (skep-sō-me-tha) let-us-examine peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the physeōs (phy-se-ōs) nature tōn (tōn) the pragmatōn (prag-ma-tōn) things
45.23a ἐρωτῶ I-ask σε you περὶ concerning τῆς the ἀληθείας truth αὐτῆς itself 45.23b erōtō (e-rō-tō) I-ask se (se) you peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the alētheias (a-lē-thei-as) truth autēs (au-tēs) itself
45.24a περὶ concerning μὲν indeed τῶν the θεῶν gods οὐδὲν nothing οἶδα I-know 45.24b peri (pe-ri) concerning men (men) indeed tōn (tōn) the theōn (the-ōn) gods ouden (ou-den) nothing oida (oi-da) I-know
45.25a ὁ the φιλόσοφος philosopher συνέγραψε composed περὶ concerning τῆς the φιλίας friendship βιβλίον book 45.25b ho (ho) the philosophos (phi-lo-so-phos) philosopher synegrapse (sy-ne-grap-se) composed peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the philias (phi-li-as) friendship biblion (bi-bli-on) book
45.26a λέγωμεν let-us-speak περὶ concerning τοῦ the καλοῦ beautiful καὶ and τοῦ the ἀγαθοῦ good 45.26b legōmen (le-gō-men) let-us-speak peri (pe-ri) concerning tou (tou) the kalou (ka-lou) beautiful kai (kai) and tou (tou) the agathou (a-ga-thou) good
45.27a ἠπόρει he-was-puzzled περὶ concerning τῶν the λόγων arguments τοῦ the διδασκάλου teacher 45.27b ēporei (ē-po-rei) he-was-puzzled peri (pe-ri) concerning tōn (tōn) the logōn (lo-gōn) arguments tou (tou) the didaskalou (di-das-ka-lou) teacher
45.28a μάθωμεν let-us-learn περὶ concerning τῆς the ἐπιστήμης knowledge καὶ and τῆς the δόξης opinion 45.28b mathōmen (ma-thō-men) let-us-learn peri (pe-ri) concerning tēs (tēs) the epistēmēs (e-pis-tē-mēs) knowledge kai (kai) and tēs (tēs) the doxēs (do-xēs) opinion
45.29a πάντες all ζητοῦσι seek γνῶναι to-know περὶ concerning τῶν the πρώτων first ἀρχῶν principles 45.29b pantes (pan-tes) all zētousi (zē-tou-si) seek gnōnai (gnō-nai) to-know peri (pe-ri) concerning tōn (tōn) the prōtōn (prō-tōn) first archōn (ar-chōn) principles
45.30a συμφωνοῦμεν we-agree περὶ concerning τούτου this ὅτι that ἄξιον worthy ἐστι is μαθεῖν to-learn 45.30b symphōnoumen (sym-phō-nou-men) we-agree peri (pe-ri) concerning toutou (tou-tou) this hoti (ho-ti) that axion (a-xi-on) worthy esti (es-ti) is mathein (ma-thein) to-learn
45.16 ὁ Σωκράτης ἤρξατο λέγειν περὶ τῆς ἀρετῆς. Socrates began to speak about virtue.
45.17 τί οἴει περὶ τῆς δικαιοσύνης, ὦ Γλαύκων; What do you think about justice, O Glaucon?
45.18 πολλοὶ τῶν σοφῶν ἔγραψαν περὶ τῆς εὐδαιμονίας. Many of the wise men wrote about happiness.
45.19 διαλεγώμεθα περὶ τῆς ψυχῆς καὶ τοῦ σώματος. Let us discuss about the soul and the body.
45.20 ἀπορῶ περὶ τούτων ὧν λέγεις. I am puzzled about these things which you say.
45.21 οἱ νέοι ἐζήτουν μαθεῖν περὶ τῆς σοφίας. The young men were seeking to learn about wisdom.
45.22 σκεψώμεθα περὶ τῆς φύσεως τῶν πραγμάτων. Let us examine about the nature of things.
45.23 ἐρωτῶ σε περὶ τῆς ἀληθείας αὐτῆς. I ask you about truth itself.
45.24 περὶ μὲν τῶν θεῶν οὐδὲν οἶδα. About the gods indeed I know nothing.
45.25 ὁ φιλόσοφος συνέγραψε περὶ τῆς φιλίας βιβλίον. The philosopher composed a book about friendship.
45.26 λέγωμεν περὶ τοῦ καλοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ. Let us speak about the beautiful and the good.
45.27 ἠπόρει περὶ τῶν λόγων τοῦ διδασκάλου. He was puzzled about the arguments of the teacher.
45.28 μάθωμεν περὶ τῆς ἐπιστήμης καὶ τῆς δόξης. Let us learn about knowledge and opinion.
45.29 πάντες ζητοῦσι γνῶναι περὶ τῶν πρώτων ἀρχῶν. All seek to know about the first principles.
45.30 συμφωνοῦμεν περὶ τούτου ὅτι ἄξιόν ἐστι μαθεῖν. We agree about this, that it is worthy to learn.
45.16 ὁ Σωκράτης ἤρξατο λέγειν περὶ τῆς ἀρετῆς.
45.17 τί οἴει περὶ τῆς δικαιοσύνης, ὦ Γλαύκων;
45.18 πολλοὶ τῶν σοφῶν ἔγραψαν περὶ τῆς εὐδαιμονίας.
45.19 διαλεγώμεθα περὶ τῆς ψυχῆς καὶ τοῦ σώματος.
45.20 ἀπορῶ περὶ τούτων ὧν λέγεις.
45.21 οἱ νέοι ἐζήτουν μαθεῖν περὶ τῆς σοφίας.
45.22 σκεψώμεθα περὶ τῆς φύσεως τῶν πραγμάτων.
45.23 ἐρωτῶ σε περὶ τῆς ἀληθείας αὐτῆς.
45.24 περὶ μὲν τῶν θεῶν οὐδὲν οἶδα.
45.25 ὁ φιλόσοφος συνέγραψε περὶ τῆς φιλίας βιβλίον.
45.26 λέγωμεν περὶ τοῦ καλοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ.
45.27 ἠπόρει περὶ τῶν λόγων τοῦ διδασκάλου.
45.28 μάθωμεν περὶ τῆς ἐπιστήμης καὶ τῆς δόξης.
45.29 πάντες ζητοῦσι γνῶναι περὶ τῶν πρώτων ἀρχῶν.
45.30 συμφωνοῦμεν περὶ τούτου ὅτι ἄξιόν ἐστι μαθεῖν.
Special Features of περί in Philosophical Texts:
In philosophical dialogue, περί takes on special importance as the marker of intellectual inquiry. The genre shows several distinctive patterns:
1. Abstract Nouns: Philosophy frequently discusses abstract concepts, all requiring the genitive case after περί: -
τῆς ἀρετῆς (virtue) -
τῆς δικαιοσύνης (justice) -
τῆς εὐδαιμονίας (happiness) -
τῆς σοφίας (wisdom)
2. The Article: Notice that abstract nouns almost always take the definite article in philosophical Greek when used with περί. This differs from English, which often omits articles with abstracts ("about virtue" vs. "περὶ τῆς ἀρετῆς").
3. Word Order Variations: -
Standard: verb + περί + genitive object -
Emphatic: περί + genitive object + verb (putting the topic first) -
Interrogative: τί + verb + περί + genitive object
4. Common Philosophical Formulas: -
ἀπορῶ περί... "I am puzzled about..." -
σκεψώμεθα περί... "let us examine about..." -
διαλεγώμεθα περί... "let us discuss about..." -
τί οἴει περί... "what do you think about..."
5. Paired Concepts: Greek philosophy loves paired opposites, often introduced with a single περί: -
περὶ τῆς ψυχῆς καὶ τοῦ σώματος (about soul and body) -
περὶ τοῦ καλοῦ καὶ τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ (about the beautiful and the good)
6. Titles and Topics: Philosophical works traditionally begin with Περί + genitive as their title, establishing the subject matter formally from the outset.
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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 master languages through systematic self-study rather than traditional classroom instruction.
Each lesson in this Koine Greek course follows the unique Latinum Method, which emphasizes: -
Granular Interlinear Analysis: Every word is glossed individually with both meaning and pronunciation, allowing complete beginners to understand complex texts from day one -
Progressive Comprehension: Moving from word-by-word analysis (Section A) to complete sentences (Section B) to pure target language (Section C) -
Cultural Immersion: Sections E and F provide the historical and literary context essential for true language comprehension -
Practical Application: The genre sections demonstrate how the language actually functions in different contexts - from philosophy to letters to religious texts
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