Greek ἤρξατο (single aorist middle of ἄρχω) and Latin cœpit are simple verbs of beginning; the Peshitta renders with a periphrastic construction ܘܫܪܝ ܗܘܐ (lit. 'began was'), where ܗܘܐ functions as an auxiliary marking past continuity — a characteristic Syriac narrative idiom.