[262.] We have become thoroughly familiar with expressions like the following:
| Galba ad (or in) oppidum properat Galba ab (dē or ex) oppidō properat Galba in oppidō habitat |
From these expressions we may deduce the following rules:
[263.] Rule. Accusative of the Place to. The place to which is expressed by ad or in with the accusative. This answers the question Whither?
[264.] Rule. Ablative of the Place from. The place from which is expressed by ā or ab, dē, ē or ex, with the separative ablative. This answers the question Whence? (Cf. Rule, [§ 179].)
[265.] Rule. Ablative of the Place at or in. The place at or in which is expressed by the ablative with in. This answers the question Where?
a. The ablative denoting the place where is called the locative ablative (cf. locus, place).
[266.] Exceptions. Names of towns, small islands,1 domus, home, rūs, country, and a few other words in common use omit the prepositions in expressions of place, as,
| Galba Athēnās properat, Galba hastens to Athens Galba Athēnīs properat, Galba hastens from Athens Galba Athēnīs habitat, Galba lives at (or in) Athens Galba domum properat, Galba hastens home Galba rūs properat, Galba hastens to the country Galba domō properat, Galba hastens from home Galba rūre properat, Galba hastens from the country Galba rūrī (less commonly rūre) habitat, Galba lives in the country |
a. Names of countries, like Germānia, Italia, etc., do not come under these exceptions. With them prepositions must not be omitted.