[*] 377. The Dative of Reference is often used to qualify a whole idea, instead of the Possessive Genitive modifying a single word:
- “iter Poenīs vel corporibus suīs obstruere ” (Cat. M. 75) , to block the march of the Carthaginians even with their own bodies (to block, etc., for the disadvantage of, etc.).
- “sē in cōnspectum nautīs dedit ” (Verr. 5.86) , he put himself in sight of the sailors (he put himself to the sailors into sight).
- versātur mihi ante oculōs (id. 5.123), it comes before my eyes (it comes to me before the eyes).