Textkit Greek and Latin Forums

Strange singular/plural word this one I think.

φυλακή is translated as guard (sing.) or garrison. Now garrison suggests a collection of soldiers or guards to me. So is there any problem with translating Guards as φυλακή
or
φυλακαί ?

I ask this because, during Paragraph 74 of White I translated

You led the guards from the houses to the sea as

ἐκ τῶν οἰκιῶν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλατταν ἦγες τα8/ς φυλακα8ς.

whilst Koala, on another thread, translates it as


ἐκ τῶν οἰκιῶν εἰς τὴν θάλατταν ἦγες τὴν φυλακήν.

Is there a common convention?

Thanks?

Secondly, is there a specific reason for choosing εἰς over ἐπὶ

kalowski wrote:Secondly, is there a specific reason for choosing εἰς over ἐπὶ

With either preposition the accusative case designates the goal of the activity. Xenophon routinely renders phrases like "marching/going to the X" using [size=150]ἐπί[/size] with "the X" in the accusative. This is the better construction because [size=150]εἰς[/size] with the accusative can also mean "into" giving here the possible meaning "into the sea" (cf. use of [size=150]εἰς[/size] in book of Exodus).

[size=150]ἐπί[/size] with the dative case would mean "upon the sea", as in "by the sea".

Cordially,

Paul

Thanks, Paul. I knew Xenophon and I had something in common.