[*] 238. The Aorist states a past action without reference to its duration simply as a thing attained. It is one of the two great narrative tenses of the Greek language, and is best studied in connection with the other, the imperfect. Examples are found everywhere.1 (Upshot Aorist.) “Κόνων . . . ἐνίκησε τὴν ἐν Κνίδῳ ναυμαχίαν . . . Ἰφικράτης ἀνεῖλε τὴν Λακεδαιμονίων μόραν”, DIN.1.75; Conon gained the (great) naval victory of (at) Cnidus, Iphicrates annihilated the Lacedaemonian mora.
1 On the proportion of aorist and imperfect, see B. L. G. in A. J. P. iv (1883), 163; xiv (1893), 104; xvi (1895), 259; and C. W. E. M. in A. J. P. xvi (1895), 142.
Syntax of Classical Greek from Homer to Demosthenes. Basil L. Gildersleeve. New York. American Book Company. 1900.
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