Ablative Absolute

The ablative absolute is a self-contained ablative phrase — a noun (or pronoun) and a participle both in the ablative — that is grammatically independent of the main clause.

How it works

Both the noun and the participle are in the ablative case and agree with each other in case (and number/gender where applicable).

The phrase is grammatically separate from the main clause — the noun in the phrase is never the subject or object of the main verb. This is the key test: if the ablative noun could be the subject of the main verb, it is not an ablative absolute.

Translation

Choose the translation that best fits the context:

"with X having been verb-ed" (literal)
"when/since/after X verb-ed" (usually the most natural)
"X having verb-ed" (for present participle absolutes)

Noun + noun / noun + adjective ablative absolutes

Latin has no present passive participle, so some ablative absolutes consist of a noun + noun or noun + adjective (with the verb "to be" understood). Example: Cæsare cōnsule = "when Caesar was consul" / "with Caesar as consul".

Worked examples

1. rēge occīsō, mīlitēs fūgērunt.
When the king had been killed, the soldiers fled. (PPP ablative absolute — rēge occīsō; king ≠ subject of main verb)

2. duce profectō, impedīmenta relicta sunt.
After the general had set out, the baggage was left behind. (PPP absolute — duce profectō)

3. hīs rēbus audītīs, omnēs timēbant.
When these things had been heard, everyone was afraid. (PPP absolute — hīs rēbus audītīs)

4. Cæsare duce, Rōmānī vīcērunt.
With Caesar as leader / When Caesar was leader, the Romans won. (noun + noun absolute)