[*] 98. Χράω, ἀναιρέω, θεσπίζω, and other verbs signifying to give an oracular response, generally take the present or the aorist infinitive, expressing the command or warning of the oracle, where we might expect the future in indirect discourse (135). These verbs here take the ordinary construction of verbs of commanding, advising, and warning. E.g.
- “Λέγεται δὲ Ἀλκμαίωνι τὸν Ἀπόλλω ταύτην τὴν γῆν χρῆσαι οἰκεῖν” “it is said that Apollo gave a response to Alcmaeon that he should inhabit this land (warned him to inhabit it).” THUC. ii. 102.
- “Χρωμένῳ δὲ τῷ Κύλωνι ἀνεῖλεν ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῇ τοῦ Διὸς τῇ μεγίστῃ ἑορτῇ καταλαβεῖν τὴν Ἀθηναίων ἀκρόπολιν,” “that he should seize.” Id. i. 126.
- “Ἐκέχρητο γὰρ τοῖσι Σπαρτιήτῃσι, ἢ Λακεδαίμονα ἀνάστατον γενέσθαι ἢ τὸν βασιλέα σφέων ἀπολέσθαι” HDT. vii. 220.
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- “Ὡς χρησμοῦ ὄντος τὴν πόλιν διαφθαρῆναι,” “as if there were an oracle dooming the city to perish.” PLAT. Rep. 415 C .
- “Πολλάκι γάρ οἱ ἔειπε νούσῳ ὑπ᾽ ἀργαλέῃ φθίσθαι ἢ ὑπὸ Τρώεσσι δαμῆναι” “the diviner told him that he must either die by painful disease, or perish at the hands of the Trojans.” Il. xiii. 667.