Look how useful the ablative absolute is. We can use it to retell the story of Aeneas, reminding us that anything a verb or an adjective can do, a participle can do, too. For each item there are only two choices, so focus carefully on the grammar. Click on the choice that is the most grammatically accurate translation. Among the items may be the rare future ablative absolute. Every choice provides feedback.
urbe Troiā decem annōs obsessā
after the city of Troy had been besieged for ten years
after having besieged the city of Troy for ten years
Graecīs in urbem per dolum ingressūrīs
with the Greeks about to enter into the city through a trick
with the Greeks entering into the city through a trick
equō ingentī aedificātō
a huge horse having been built
having built a huge horse
equō mīlitibus complētō
when the horse has/had been filled with soldiers
when the horse is/was filled with soldiers
Troiānīs equum in urbem trahentibus
while the Trojans are/were dragging the horse into the city
after the Trojans have/had dragged the horse into the city
multīs Troiānīs noctū occīsīs
although many Trojans had been killed by night
having killed many Trojans by night
Aenēā effugere nōlente
because Aeneas is/was unwilling to escape
after Aeneas has/had been unwilling to escape
multīs signīs ā dīs datīs
after many signs have/had been given by the gods
while many signs are/were being given by the gods
patre Anchīsā umerīs portātō
when father Anchises had been carried on his shoulders
when father Anchises was carrying on his shoulders
Anchīsā penātēs manibus tenente
as Anchises holds the penates (household gods) in his hands
after Anchises had held the penates (household gods) in his hands