Anne Mahoney, Overview of Latin Syntax, Verbs, Voice, Passive

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Passive

In the passive voice, the grammatical subject receives or suffers the action of the verb.

“Ad eas res conficiendas Orgetorix deligitur.” Caesar, BG 1.3. Orgetorix is chosen; Caesar does not specify by whom.
“Nulla potest mulier tantum se dicere amatam
vere, quantum a me Lesbia amata mea es.
”
Catullus 87.1-2
“Ille et terris et alto iactatus est vi superorum.” Virgil, Aen. 1.3

The agent of a passive verb appears in a prepositional phrase using the preposition “ab”. AG 405

“Orgetorix a senatu populi Romani amicus appellatus erat.” Caesar, BG 1.3 The same thing could have been said in the active voice: “Senatus Orgetorigem amicum populi Romani appellavit.”
“Quid datur a divis felici optatius hora?” Catullus 62.30
“Haec a te dictaque factaque sunt.” Catullus 76.8
“Non enim ab isdem accusatur M. Caelius a quibus oppugnatur.” Cicero, Cael. 20

Overview of Latin Syntax. Anne Mahoney. 2000. Text created electronically.

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Anne Mahoney, Overview of Latin Syntax

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Passive