145
Nep.
146
Atticus seems to have seen a copy belonging to some one else at Corfu. Cicero explains that he had kept back Atticus's copy for revision.
147
Cicero evidently intends Atticus to act as a publisher. His
148
The passage in brackets is believed by some, not on very good grounds, to be spurious. Otho is L. Roscius Otho, the author of the law as to the seats in the theatre of the equites. The "proscribed" are those proscribed by Sulla, their sons being forbidden to hold office, a disability which Cicero maintained for fear of civil disturbances. See
149
Pulchellus,
150
Where he had been as quæstor. Hera is said to be another name for Hybla. Some read
151
Clodius is shewing off his modesty. It was usual for persons returning from a province to send messengers in front, and to travel deliberately, that their friends might pay them the compliment of going out to meet them. Entering the city after nightfall was another method of avoiding a public reception. See Suet.
152
See p. 37, note 3.
153
Clodia, wife of the consul Metellus. See p. 22, note.
154
We don't know who this is; probably a
155
156
Though Cæsar has been mentioned before in regard to his candidature for the consulship, and in connexion with the Clodius case, this is the first reference to him as a statesman. He is on the eve of his return from Spain, and already is giving indication of his coalition with Pompey. His military success in Spain first clearly demonstrated his importance.
157
During the meeting of the senate at the time of the Catilinarian conspiracy (2
158
The consul Cæcilius Metellus was imprisoned by the tribune Flavius for resisting his land law (Dio, xxxvii. 50).
159
M. Favonius, an extreme Optimate.
160
P. Scipio Nasica Metellus Pius, the future father-in-law of Pompey, who got the prætorship, was indicted for
161
Ἀπολλόνιος Μόλων of Alabanda taught rhetoric at Rhodes. Cicero had himself attended his lectures. He puns on the name Molon and
162
163
Reading
164
His study, which he playfully calls by this name, in imitation of that of Atticus. See p. 30.
165
166
His translation of the
167
Gaius Octavius, father of Augustus, governor of Macedonia.
168
The roll being unwound as he read and piled on the ground. Dicæarchus of Messene, a contemporary of Aristotle, wrote on "Constitutions" among other things. Procilius seems also to have written on polities.
169
Herodes, a teacher at Athens, afterwards tutor to young Cicero. He seems to have written on Cicero's consulship.
170
These remarks refer to something in Atticus's letter.
171
Gaius Antonius, about to be prosecuted for
172
P. Nigidius Figulus, a tribune (which dates the letter after the 10th of December). The tribunes had no right of summons (
173
"The Conqueror,"
174
175
Cyrus was Cicero's architect; his argument or theory he calls Cyropædeia, after Xenophon's book.
176
He supposes himself to be making a mathematical figure in optics:
177
The theory of sight held by Democritus, denounced as unphilosophical by Plutarch (
178
Apparently a villa in the
179
The Cornelius Balbus of Gades, whose citizenship Cicero defended b.c. 56 (consul b.c. 40). He was Cæsar's close friend and agent.
180
Cicero was apparently not behind the scenes. The coalition with Pompey certainly, and with Crassus probably, had been already made and the terms agreed upon soon after the elections. If Cicero afterwards discovered this it must have shewn him how little he could trust Pompey's show of friendship and Cæsar's candour. Cæsar desired Cicero's private friendship and public acquiescence, but was prepared to do without them.
181
From Cicero's Latin poem on his consulship.
182
εἶς οἰωνός ἄριστος ἀμύνεσθαι περὶ πάτρης (Hom.
183
A country festival and general holiday. It was a
184
Of the persons mentioned, L. Ælius Tubero is elsewhere praised as a man of learning (
185
The class of Romans who have practically become provincials.
186
Rome and its society and interests.
187
Father of Augustus, governor of Macedonia, b.c. 60-59. But he seems to refer to his prætorship (b.c. 61) at Rome; at any rate, as well as to his conduct in Macedonia.
188
Reading