Latin B2: Urbe capta: the ablative absolute · Phrases

A noun and a participle in the ablative, standing apart from the rest of the sentence, set the scene: urbe capta (once the city had been taken), sole oriente (as the sun was rising). It can mean when, after, because or although: context decides. Two nouns also work, since esse has no present participle: Caesare duce (with Caesar as leader), Cicerone consule (when Cicero was consul).

• urbe capta — once the city was taken
• sole oriente — at sunrise
• Caesare duce — under Caesar’s leadership
• signo dato — at the signal
• his rebus cognitis — when this became known
• bello confecto — when the war was over
• dux — leader, general
• consul — consul

• Bello confecto, pax facta est. — When the war was over, peace was made.
• Cicerone consule, coniuratio detecta est. — When Cicero was consul, the conspiracy was uncovered.
• Me invito, abiit. — He left against my will.
• Omnibus rebus paratis, profecti sunt. — With everything ready, they set off.