41.11 An archaic imperative ending for the 2nd person singular active was –θι, which by the Classical period survived in only a few instances (S 466a):

  • στῆθι (aorist from ἵστημι)
    • Stand!
  • φάθι or φαθί (present from φημί)
    • Speak!
  • γνῶθι σεαυτόν (aorist from γιγνώσκω)
    • Know thyself!
  • ἴθι (present form εἶμι, go)
    • Go!
  • ἴσθι (present from εἰμί and perfect from οἶδα)
    • Be…! or Know!

41.12 The rare aorist passive/intransitive imperative uses –θι.

  • λυ + θη + θι = λύθητι. (from λύω)
    • Be free!

Remember that as a general rule of pronunciation in Greek, two consecutive syllables cannot each have aspiration (S 125b, G 47b). So in this case, –θη– keeps the aspiration and the imperative ending loses the aspiration: –θι → –τι.

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