hostēs ā fortūnā dēserēbantur, the enemy were deserted by Fortune;
ā multitūdine hostium mōntēs tenēbantur, the mountains were held by a multitude of the enemy.
2. Names of animals sometimes admit the same construction. Thus:—
ā canibus laniātus est, he was torn to pieces by dogs.
Ablative of Comparison.
[217]. 1. The Ablative is often used with Comparatives in the sense of than; as,—
melle dulcior, sweeter than honey;
patria mihi vītā cārior est, my country is dearer to me than life.
2. This construction, as a rule, occurs only as a substitute for quam (than) with the Nominative or Accusative. In other cases quam must be used; as,—
tuī studiōsior sum quam illīus, I am fonder of you than of him.
—Studiōsior illō would have meant, I am fonder of you than he is.
Plūs, minus, amplius, longius are often employed as the equivalents of plūs quam, minus quam, etc. Thus:—
amplius vīgintī urbēs incenduntur, more than twenty cities are fired;
minus quīnque mīlia prōcessit, he advanced less than five miles.