LRC GET BETTER TIP Greek LRC GET BETTER TIP Greek Rules for Greek Accent Marks Rules for Greek Accent Marks Rule 1: There will always be an accent placed on one of Rule 1: There will always be an accent placed on one of the last three syllables in a Greek word. the last three syllables in a Greek word. Antepenult: Third to last syllable. Antepenult: Third to last syllable. Penult: Second to last syllable. Penult: Second to last syllable. Ultima: Last syllable. Ultima: Last syllable. Rule 2: If accented, the second vowel of a dipthong Rule 2: If accented, the second vowel of a dipthong receives the accent. receives the accent. Example: τοῖς ναύταις Example: τοῖς ναύταις Rule 3: There are three main accent marks in Greek: the Rule 3: There are three main accent marks in Greek: the acute, the grave, and the circumflex. acute, the grave, and the circumflex. Acute: ά Acute: ά Grave: ὰ Grave: ὰ Circumflex: ᾶ Circumflex: ᾶ *Smooth & rough breathing marks are not considered accents. *Smooth & rough breathing marks are not considered accents. Rule 4: Graves replace acutes at the end of words which Rule 4: Graves replace acutes at the end of words which are followed immediately by accented syllables. are followed immediately by accented syllables. Example: τὸν δένδρον Example: τὸν δένδρον Rule 5: ε and ο are always short; η, ω, and dipthongs are Rule 5: ε and ο are always short; η, ω, and dipthongs are always long; α, ι, and υ may be either long or short always long; α, ι, and υ may be either long or short depending on context. depending on context. Rule 6: The antepenult is only accented if the ultimate is Rule 6: The antepenult is only accented if the ultimate is short, and it always has an acute accent. short, and it always has an acute accent. Example: άνθρωπος Example: άνθρωπος Rule 7: If the penult is accented, it is acute when followed Rule 7: If the penult is accented, it is acute when followed by a long ultima and has a circumflex when the ultima is by a long ultima and has a circumflex when the ultima is short. short. Examples: ανθρώπων, ενδομῦχος Examples: ανθρώπων, ενδομῦχος Rule 8: If the ultima is short and accented, it is acute, but if Rule 8: If the ultima is short and accented, it is acute, but if it is long and accented it is acute or takes a circumflex it is long and accented it is acute or takes a circumflex depending on its case. depending on its case. Example: ἀστός Example: ἀστός Resource for more in-depth accent rules: Resource for more in-depth accent rules: https://ucbclassics.dreamhosters.com/ancgreek/accenttutU/ https://ucbclassics.dreamhosters.com/ancgreek/accenttutU/ accentuationU.html accentuationU.html Language Resource Center Language Resource Center Arts & Sciences Building, Room 240 Arts & Sciences Building, Room 240 [email protected] • 219.464.5764 [email protected] • 219.464.5764 valpo.edu/language-resource-center valpo.edu/language-resource-center .