(I.XLII) Grammar of ...quod anteā petentī dēnegāsset...

[bathtime]

Only the bold needs reading. Other text is for context if one needs it.​

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Nōn respuit condiciōnem Cæsar, iamque eum ad sānitātem revertī arbitrābātur, cum id quod anteā petentī [sibi] dēnegāsset ultrō pollicērētur; magnamque in spem veniēbat prō suīs tantīs populīque Romānī in eum beneficiīs, cognitīs suīs postulātīs fore utī pertināciā dēsisteret.​

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...that (thing) which, when it was being requested, he (Ariovistus) had previously denied [to him (Caesar)]...​

It is meant to be a very literal translation. Am I correct in thinking that pententi is an abl. abs. as a temporal clause?

A&G, §420?:

The Ablative Absolute often takes the place of a Subordinate Clause.
Thus it may replace—

1. 
   A Temporal Clause (§ 541 ff.):—
   1. patre interfectō , [his] father having been killed. [This corresponds to cum paterinterfectus esset, when his father had been killed.]

 

[Dantius]

No, it isn't. It's "that which he had denied to him (Caesar) requesting". "petenti" is dative.

 

[bathtime]

No, it isn't. It's "that which he had denied to him (Caesar) requesting". "petenti" is dative.

Thank you.

 

[lamb67]

In draft you supplied sibi which might mean A rather C (ei).

 

[Dantius]

sibi would be right here, because the whole thing is in indirect discourse (showing Caesar's thoughts) depending on arbitrabatur. In indirect discourse, sibi is used to refer to the person speaking/thinking.