Herbert Weir Smyth, A Greek Grammar for Colleges

---

---

---

[*] 2449. (I) The optative without ἄν follows πρίν to denote an action anticipated in the past when the principal clause is negative and its verb is in a secondary tense. The optative is here in indirect discourse (actual or implied) and represents ἄν with the subjunctive, which is often retained (2446). Cp. 2420.

““ἀπηγόρευε μηδένα βάλλειν πρὶν Κῦρος ἐμπλησθείη θηρῶν” he forbade any one to shoot until Cyrus should have had his fill of hunting” X. C. 1.4.14 ( = μηδεὶς βαλλέτω πρὶν ἂν Κῦρος ἐμπλησθῇ), οἱ Ἠλεῖοι . . . ἔπειθον (αὐτοὺς) ““μὴ ποιεῖσθαι μάχην πρὶν οἱ Θηβαῖοι παραγένοιντο” the Eleans persuaded them not to engage in battle until the Thebans should have come up” X. H. 6.5.19 ( = μὴ ποιεῖτε μάχην πρὶν ἂν παραγένωνται).

a. In indirect discourse the infinitive is preferred (2455 d).