[*] 423. Time when, or within which, is expressed by the Ablative; time how long by the Accusative.
- Ablative:—
- cōnstitūtā diē, on the appointed day; prīm˘ lūce, at daybreak.
- quotā hōrā, at what o'clock? tertiā vigiliā, in the third watch.
- “tribus proximīs annīs ” (Iug. 11) , within the last three years.
- “diēbusvīgintī quīnque aggerem exstrūxērunt ” (B. G. 7.24) , within twentyfive days they finished building a mound.
- Accusative:—
[*] Note.--The Ablative of Time is locative in its origin (§ 421); the Accusative is the same as that of the extent of space (§ 425).