Ricerc@Sapienza

Secondary, non-prototypical prepositions have the form of an adverb, adjective, verb, noun or prepositional phrase; in some cases the etymology is only partially transparent. Most prepositions govern the genitive but can also be constructed with the dative. The difference between the two cases is considered essentially stylistic, the dative being associated with oral and informal language. For some prepositions, however, both cases are equally accepted in standard language. Moreover, a group of prepositions should govern only dative, but in everyday language also genitive can be found.

The so-called secondary prepositions mostly do not look like typical prepositions, having the form of an adverb, adjective, verb, noun or prepositional phrase. Secondary prepositions generally display a synchronic alternation between genitive and dative government. A great number of prepositions require the genitive but can also be constructed with the dative, mainly in oral and informal language. On the other hand, a small group of prepositions should govern only dative, but in everyday language genitive is not unusual.

To date, there has been no comprehensive study specifically devoted to the syntax or morphosyntax of Old Persian cases. The authors of the present work have decided to remedy this with a study regarding an Old Persian case that from various viewpoints is not only the most complex, but also the most interesting: the