Summary Attic Greek: Tense and Aspect + Indirect Discourse

Tense and Aspect

Time = temporal distinction (when action takes/took place)
Aspect = completion vs. noncompletion, general vs. specific completion
Eg. seek - find
go - arrive
be - become
Each of these are general states of action - one specific + complete action

General state = present stem (I am doing X)
Specific state = aorist stem (I did X)

Present Stem Aspect

Action not yet completed, is in progress, repeated, customary, or a general
truth
• Imperfect = continuous past tense (I was doing X)
• Infinitive = continuous/customary, eg. ‘to be a slave (in general) is
difficult’
• Imperative = action is attempted, repeated etc. eg ‘always worship
the gods’

The present stem is often conative - I tried/am trying to do X

Aorist Stem Aspect

Action that is instantaneous + completed, refers to a simple and unique
occurrence in the past eg. historical fact
• Infinitive = self-complete, unique etc. eg ‘The Athenians resolved to
praise Demosthenes (on one occasion)’
• Imperative = specific, instantaneous etc. eg ‘stone the murderer
(now)’