The absolute construction + perfect passive participle refers to an action which took place before the action of the main verb. Regardless of the tense of the main verb in Latin, the absolute construction will always be the same. This, however, is not the case when translating the phrase into English since English sequences the tenses. This is not obvious if the basic “with X having been Y-ed” construction is maintained, but it will be obvious if a relative clause is used.
- Urbe captā, hostēs templa dēlēvērunt.
> With the city having been captured, the enemy destroyed the temples.
> After the city had been captured, the enemy destroyed the temples.
- Verbīs poētae audītīs, puerī fēlīcēs erant.
> With the words of the poet having been heard, the boys were happy.
> After the words of the poet had been heard, the boys were happy.
But the translation of the ablative absolute may not be the equivalent of an English past perfect tense i.e. had:
- Librō populō scrīptō, omnēs nōbilēs auctōrem laudant.
> With the book having been written for the people, the nobles praise the author.
> Since the book was / has been written for the people, the nobles praise the author.
- Praedā istīus agricolae inventā, agrī tibi erunt.
With that farmer’s loot having been found, you will have the fields.
> Because that farmer’s loot was / has been found, you will have the fields.
- Aliquis ad āram templī nōs dūcet, auxiliō dē deīs petītō.
> Somebody will lead us to the altar with help from the gods having been asked for.
> Somebody will lead us to the altar of the temple, because help from the gods was / has been asked for.
- Negōtiō factō, nunc domī sumus.
> With the task having been done, we are now at home.
> Since the task was / has been done, we are now at home.
