Koine Greek/7
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[edit] Accents
There are three accents in Greek, acute (´), circumflex (῀), and grave (`). Certain rules apply as to where these accents can lie. Of importance to this discussion of accents are the last three syllables.
The last syllable is called the ultima, the second to the last is the penult and the third syllable from the last is the antepenult.
Here are some basic accent rules. The acute (´) accent can stand on any of the last three syllables, the circumflex (῀) only on one of the last two and the grave (`) only on the ultima or last syllable.
The circumflex is always on a long syllable.
The length of the ultima effects other tone rules. If it is long, the antepenalt can not be accented. If the accent is on the penult, then it must be the accute. Short ultimas with the accent on a long penult must take the circumflex.
Accented long ultimas can take either the acute or circumflex.
