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Interrogative particle with the moods of the main clause: yes-no question as argument
studieniveau:
1
ἐγὼ δὲ Πείσωνα μὲν ἠρώτων εἰ βούλοιτό με σῶσαι χρήματα λαβών.
‘I asked Peison if he wanted to save me for a sum of money.’ (Lys. 12.9)
A main clause, usually introduced by the interrogative particle εἰ, represents a simple, direct yes-no question. This subordinate clause serves as an object (or, in impersonal constructions, as the subject).
Syntactic usage (not possible optativus obliquus)
The indirect question is the first construction in which the oblique optative occurs after a past tense. The oblique optative is found as early as Homer.