Lesson 07. Of Nouns: The First Declension

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In Lesson 09 we learned the definitions of the cases and learned that declension is the varying of a word by cases. In this lesson we begin the direct study of the forms of Latin nouns, beginning with the First Declension. This study is fundamental and will occupy us for several lessons. For that reason it is essential that the forms introduced here be mastered thoroughly through memorization and daily writing. At this stage, understanding is not our concern. Accuracy and familiarity with the forms are the goal.

First Declension nouns are recognized by the ending of the Genitive singular, which ends either in -ae or -es. Within the First Declension there are four different kinds of nouns, distinguished by the ending of the Nominative singular. These four kinds are learned through four example nouns: haec Musa, hic Aeneas, hic Anchises, and haec Penelope. Each of these nouns represents a different pattern of declension that must be learned separately.

We begin with haec Musa, which represents First Declension nouns whose Nominative singular ends in -a. In the singular number, the Nominative is Musa, meaning “a Muse.” The Genitive is Musae, meaning “of a Muse.” The Dative is Musae, meaning “to a Muse.” The Accusative is Musam, meaning “a Muse.” The Vocative is O Musa, meaning “O Muse.” The Ablative is a Musa, meaning “from a Muse.” In the plural number, the Nominative is Musae, meaning “Muses.” The Genitive is Musarum, meaning “of Muses.” The Dative is Musis, meaning “to Muses.” The Accusative is Musas, meaning “Muses.” The Vocative is O Musae, meaning “O Muses.” The Ablative is a Musis, meaning “from Muses.” These forms constitute the standard pattern of the First Declension.

Next we learn hic Aeneas, which represents First Declension nouns whose Nominative singular ends in -as. In the singular number, the Nominative is Aeneas, meaning “Aeneas.” The Genitive is Aeneae, meaning “of Aeneas.” The Dative is Aeneae, meaning “to Aeneas.” The Accusative is Aeneam or Aenean, both meaning “Aeneas.” The Vocative is O Aenea, meaning “O Aeneas.” The Ablative is ab Aenea, meaning “from Aeneas.” In the plural number these nouns decline like regular First Declension nouns: the Nominative is Aeneae, the Genitive is Aenearum, the Dative is Aeneis, the Accusative is Aeneas, the Vocative is O Aeneae, and the Ablative is ab Aeneis.

We then learn hic Anchises, which represents First Declension nouns whose Nominative singular ends in -es. In the singular number, the Nominative is Anchises, meaning “Anchises.” The Genitive is Anchisae, meaning “of Anchises.” The Dative is Anchisae, meaning “to Anchises.” The Accusative is Anchisen, meaning “Anchises.” The Vocative is O Anchise, meaning “O Anchises.” The Ablative is ab Anchise, meaning “from Anchises.” In the plural number, the forms follow the regular First Declension pattern: the Nominative is Anchisae, the Genitive is Anchisarum, the Dative is Anchisis, the Accusative is Anchisas, the Vocative is O Anchisae, and the Ablative is ab Anchisis.

Finally, we learn haec Penelope, which represents First Declension nouns whose Nominative singular ends in -e. In the singular number, the Nominative is Penelope, meaning “Penelope.” The Genitive is Penelopes, meaning “of Penelope.” The Dative is Penelope, meaning “to Penelope.” The Accusative is Penelopen, meaning “Penelope.” The Vocative is O Penelope, meaning “O Penelope.” The Ablative is a Penelope, meaning “from Penelope.” In the plural number, these nouns follow the regular First Declension pattern: the Nominative is Penelopae, the Genitive is Peneloparum, the Dative is Penelopis, the Accusative is Penelopas, the Vocative is O Penelopae, and the Ablative is a Penelopis.

We must also note that there are exceptions within the First Declension. Certain words, such as Dea (goddess), Filia (daughter), Ambae (both), and Duae (two), have Dative and Ablative plural forms ending in -abus rather than -is, in order to distinguish them from masculine nouns such as Deus and Filius.

Throughout this lesson, the English words “of,” “to,” “O,” and “from” are used as signs of the Genitive, Dative, Vocative, and Ablative cases respectively. The Nominative and Accusative cases are not identified by such signs, but by their use and position in a sentence.

This lesson requires steady, patient work. The forms must be memorized exactly as given and written out daily. If these forms are mastered carefully now, the remaining declensions will be learned with much greater ease.

Memory Work

1. How many different terminations are found in the Nominative case of the First Declension?
Four: -a, as Musa; -as, as Aeneas; -es, as Anchises; and -e, as Penelope.

2. How are First Declension nouns with Nominative in -a declined?
As haec Musa: with Nominative in -a; Genitive and Dative in -ae; Accusative in -am; Vocative in -a; Ablative in -a. In the plural, Nominative in -ae; Genitive in -arum; Dative in -is; Accusative in -as; Vocative like the Nominative; Ablative in -is.

In short: -a, -ae, -ae | -am, -a, -a | -ae, -arum, -is | -as, -ae, -is.

3. Decline the First Declension noun haec Musa. (State the case name, the Latin form and the English.)
Singulariter: Nominativo, haec Musa, a Muse; Genitivo, Musae, of a Muse; Dativo, Musae, to a Muse; Accusativo, Musam, a Muse; Vocativo, O Musa, O Muse; Ablativo, a Musa, from a Muse. Pluraliter Nominativo, Musae, Muses; Genitivo, Musarum, of Muses; Dativo, Musis, to Muses; Accusativo, Musas, Muses; Vocativo, O Musae, O Muses; Ablativo, a Musis, from Muses.

In short: Musa, Musae, Musae | Musam, Musa, Musa | Musae, Musarum, Musis | Musas, Musae, Musis.

4. What is meant by the words “of”, “to”, “O” and “from” used when declining?
These words “of”, “to”, “O” and “from” are signs of the Cases with which they are joined, and are put to all Nouns. “Of” signifies the Genitive case. “To” signifies the Dative case. “O” signifies the Vocative case. “From” signifies the Ablative case. The Nominative and Accusative cases are not known by signs, but by their position in a sentence.

5. How are First Declension nouns with Nominative in -as declined?
As hic Aeneas: with Nominative in -as; Genitive and Dative in -ae; Accusative in -am or -an; Vocative in -a; Ablative in -a. In the plural, as normal.

In short: -as, -ae, -ae | -am/an, -a, -a | -ae, -arum, -is | -as, -ae, -is.

6. Decline the First Declension noun hic Aeneas. (State the case name, the Latin form and the English.)
Singulariter: Nominativo, hic Aeneas, Aeneas; Genitivo, Aeneae, of Aeneas; Dativo, Aeneae, to Aeneas; Accusativo, Aeneam or Aenean, Aeneas; Vocativo, O Aenea, O Aeneas; Ablativo, ab Aenea, from Aeneas. Pluraliter: as normal.

In short: Aeneas, Aeneae, Aeneae | Aeneam or Aenean, Aenea, Aenea | Aeneae, Aenearum, Aeneis | Aeneas, Aeneae, Aeneis.

7. How are First Declension nouns with Nominative in -es declined?
As hic Anchises: with Nominative in -es; Genitive and Dative in -ae; Accusative in -en; Vocative in -e; Ablative in -e. In the plural, as normal.

In short: -es, -ae, -ae | -en, -e, -e | -ae, -arum, -is | -as, -ae, -is.

8. Decline the First Declension noun hic Anchises. (State the case name, the Latin form and the English.)
Singulariter: Nominativo, hic Anchises, Anchises; Genitivo, Anchisae, of Anchises; Dativo, Anchisae, to Anchises; Accusativo, Anchisen, Anchises; Vocativo, O Anchise, O Anchises; Ablativo, ab Anchise, from Anchises. Pluraliter: as normal.

In short: Anchises, Anchisae, Anchisae | Anchisen, Anchise, Anchise | Anchisae, Anchisarum, Anchisis | Anchisas, Anchisae, Anchisis.

9. How are First Declension nouns with Nominative in -e declined?
As haec Penelope: with Nominative in -e; Genitive in -es; Dative in -e; Accusative in -en; Vocative in -e; the Ablative in -e. The plural number ends normally.

In short: -e, -es, -e | -en, -e, -e | -ae, -arum, -is | -as, -ae, -is.

10. Decline the First Declension noun haec Penelope. (State the case name, the Latin form and the English.)
Singulariter: Nominativo, haec Penelope, Penelope; Genitivo, Penelopes, of Penelope; Dativo, Penelope, to Penelope; Accusativo, Penelopen, Penelope; Vocativo, O Penelope, O Penelope; Ablativo, a Penelope, from Penelope; Pluraliter: as normal.

In short: Penelope, Penelopes, Penelope | Penelopen, Penelope, Penelope | Penelopae, Peneloparum, Penelopis | Penelopas, Penelopae, Penelopis.

11. Are there places where these rules do not apply?
Yes. In some words, such as Dea (goddess), Filia (daughter), Ambae (both) and Duae (two), the Dative and Ablative cases end in -abus, rather than -is. This is mainly to distinguish them from their masculine forms like Deus and Filius.

12. Summary of the First Declension:

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