Herbert Weir Smyth, A Greek Grammar for Colleges

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[*] 1693. περί around (on all sides), about; cp. πέριξ round about. Lat. per in permagnus. περί is wider than ἀμφί: cp. X. Vect. 1.7 οὐ πεοίρρυτος οὖσα ὥσπερ νῆσος . . . ἀμφιθάλαττος γάρ ἐστι it (Attica) is not, like an island, surrounded by the sea . . . for it has the sea on two sides. On περί post-positive, see 1665.

1. περί with the Genitive

a. Local (poetic): περὶ τρόπιος βεβαώς riding on (astride) the keel ε 130.

b. Other relations: about, concerning (Lat. de), the subject about which an act or thought centres: ““περὶ πατρίδος μαχούμενοι” fighting for their country” T. 6.69 (cp. ὑπέρ), ““δείσα_ς περὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ” fearing for his son” X. C. 1.4.22, ““λέγειν περὶ τῆς εἰρήνης” to speak about peace” T. 5.55; τὰ περί τινος instead of τὰ περί τινα is used in the neighbourhood of a verb of saying or thinking (which takes περί with gen.): ““τὰ περὶ τῆς ἀρετῆς” the relations of virtue” P. Pr. 360e. Superiority (cp. 1402): ““περίεσσι γυναικῶν εἶδος” thou dost surpass women in beauty” ς 248, περὶ παντὸς ποιούμενοι regarding as (more than everything) all-important T. 2.11 (cp. 1373).

2. περί with the Dative

a. Local: about: of arms, dress, etc., in prose: ““στρεπτοὶ περὶ τοῖς τραχήλοις” collars about their necks” X. A. 1.5.8, ἃ περὶ τοῖς σώμασιν ἔχουσιν the clothes about their persons I. ep. 9. 10 (only case in the orators), περὶ δουρί A 303.

b. Other relations (usually poetic): External cause: ““δείσαντες περὶ ταῖς ναυσίν” afraid for their ships” T. 7.53 (with verbs of fearing, περί with the gen. is fear of or fear for). Inner impulse: ““περὶ τάρβει” from fear” A. Pers. 694.

3. περί with the Accusative

a. Local: of position: ““ἀπέστειλαν ναῦς περὶ Πελοπόννησον” they despatched ships round about Peloponnese” T. 2.23, ᾤκουν περὶ πᾶσαν τὴν Σικελία_ν they settled all round Sicily 6. 2; of persons: ““οἱ περὶ Ἡρἁ_κλειτον” the followers of Heraclitus” P. Crat. 440c.

b. Indefinite statement of time and number: ““περὶ ὄρθρον” about dawn” T. 6.101, περὶ ἑβδομήκοντα about seventy 1. 54.

c. Other relations: Occupation: ““οἱ περὶ τὴν μουσικὴν ὄντες” those who are engaged in liberal pursuits” I. 9.4; connected with, of general relation (with reference to): ““οἱ νόμοι οἱ περὶ τοὺς γάμους” the laws about marriage” P. Cr. 50d, ““περὶ θεοὺς ἀσεβέστατοι” most impious in regard to the gods” X. H. 2.3.53, ““τὰ περὶ τὰ_ς ναῦς” naval affairs” T. 1.13. Verbs of action (except verbs of striving) prefer περί with accus., verbs of perception, emotion, knowing, prefer περί with gen. But the cases often shift.

4. περί in Composition

Around, about (περιέχειν surround), beyond, over (περιεῖναι excel; and περιορᾶ<*> look beyond, overlook, suffer), (remaining) over (περιγίγνεσθαι remain over, result, and excel), exceedingly (περιχαρής very glad).