[This is] not in a subordinate clause. [It should be] e)a\n a(marth/sei ["if he will err"].
[Spelled] with a diphthong.
*(amarth/soi: ou)x u(pota/ssetai. e)a\n a(marth/sei. dia\ difqo/ggou.
The headword is future optative, third person singular, of
a(marta/nw (cf.
alpha 1493,
alpha 1494). This form is used by George of
Pisidia (
de expeditione Persica 1.137-8): after mentioning "the second Pharoah" he appends - "if one might not err in calling second him who truly was first into error" (
ei) deu/tero/n tis ou)x a(marth/soi le/gwn | to\n w(s a)lhqw=s prw=ton ei)s a(marti/an). In classical Greek the future optative would not have been used in the protasis of a conditional statement unless it was a subordinate clause in indirect discourse (Smyth ยง2287, web address 1);
e)a/n with the subjunctive would be a normal construction. The lexicographer seems to be criticizing George's hyper-Attic grammar, but unfortunately the form he supplies instead is future indicative rather than aorist subjunctive (which would be
a(marth/sh|). Perhaps this is merely a textual corruption. In any case, all three forms would have been pronounced the same in Byzantine times.
Catharine Roth (modified translation, added note, with information supplied by David Whitehead) on 13 July 2002@01:02:57.
David Whitehead (added keyword; cosmetics) on 14 July 2002@04:48:18.
Catharine Roth (modified translation, augmented notes, added link) on 16 July 2002@00:57:30.
David Whitehead (x-refs; cosmetics) on 12 February 2012@06:45:29.
Catharine Roth (cosmetics, upgraded link) on 11 March 2012@22:18:13.
Catharine Roth (cosmeticule) on 14 August 2019@23:44:48.
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