LLPSI, Lectio 2.2: Casus Genetivus (Pluraliter)
More genitive forms, now in the plural. We often talk about the genitive as expressing "possession" or "ownership", and that's okay as a matter of convenience, but "belonging" would be better. Consider the famous lines, "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies." The singer is not saying "my lover owns me and I own him," or that either is the other's property, but "each of us belongs to the other." Likewise, David can be the father *of* Solomon at the same time that Solomon is the son *of* David. And even when there _is_ a question of property: Sosia is the master *of* Amphitryo at the same time that Amphitryo is the master *of* Sosia. (Please note that a big number of slaves is many slaves, and vice versa!)
