THE INNER OBJECT
536 An Accusative of the Inner object (Cognate Accusative) is found with many verbs. It repeats the meaning of the verb in the form of a noun or pronoun.
- a. A noun, with a modifying word or clause (rarely omitted):
Στρατηγεῖν ταύτην τὴν στρατηγίᾱν to act as general in this campaign. AN. I. 3, I5. ἄλλην μὲν ἀρχὴν οὐδεμίαν πώποτε ἦρξα I never held any other magistracy. AP. 32 b. κινδῡνεύω τὸν ἔσχατον κίνδῦνον I am in the utmost danger. AP. 34 c. ξυνέφυγε τὴν φυγὴν ταύτην he shared the late exile. AP. 21 a. So δικάζειν δίκην τινά decide a suit, φεύγειν δίκην τινά be defendant in a suit, γράφεσθαι γραφήν τινα bring an indictment, θειν τὰ Λύκαια celebrate by sacrifice the Lykaia, etc.
- b. An adjective or pronoun in the neuter:
Ἔπαθόν τι τοιοῦτον I had some such experience as this. AP. 22 a. Μελήτῳ τούτων οὔτε μέγα οὔτε μῖκρὸν πώποτε ἐμέλησεν Miletos never cared either much or little about these matters. AP. 26 b. So τί χρήσεται τούτῳ; what use will he make of this? μέγα φρονεῖν be proud (think large), πάντα πεῦθεσθαι render all obedience, etc.
- c. Some verbs take both a direct object and a cognate accusative:
Ἡμᾶς τὰ αἴσχιστα αἰκισάμενος by inflicting on us the most shameful outrages. AN. III. 1, 18. ἕκαστον εὐεργετεῖν τὴν μεγίστην εὐεργεσίᾱν to confer on each the greatest benefaction. AP. 36 c. ἕτεροι δὲ πολλὰ κγαθὰ μᾶ ς εἰσιν εἰργασμένοι and others have done many good things to you. L. 16, 19.
The inner object may stand also with the passive:
Tί ἀδικηθεὶς ὑπʼ ἐμοῦ νῦν ἐπιβουλεύεις μοι; what wrong did you receive from me, that you are now scheming against me? AN. I. 6, 8.
- d. A few adjectives also take a cognate accusative:
Σοφὸς τὴν ἐκείνων σοφίᾱν, ἀμαθὴς τὴν ἀμαθίᾱν wise in their wisdom, ignorant with their ignorance. AP. 22 e.