Marcus Tullius Cicero, Epistulae ad Atticum [Letters to Atticus]

François Prost (Université de Paris IV Sorbonne)
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[N.B.: Cicero’s

Letters to Atticus

are referred to with the abbreviation ‘

Att

.’, followed by book number and letter number within that book according to the traditional numeration; quotations are from Shackleton Bailey’s translation in his Loeb edition (see below).

The addressee

The addressee

Titus Pomponius, also named Quintus Caecilius Pomponianus after having been adopted by his rich uncle in his will and made heir in 58 (see Att. 3, 20), was Cicero’s lifelong best and most intimate friend. He was a lover of Greek culture and lived 20 years in Athens (from 85 to 65 B.C., hence his nickname ‘Atticus’) and hereafter resided for long stays in Epirus, where he owned a huge property.

Titus Pomponius, also named Quintus Caecilius Pomponianus after having been adopted by his rich…

3238 words

Citation: Prost, François. "Epistulae ad Atticum". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 31 August 2012 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=20486, accessed 19 March 2024.]

20486 Epistulae ad Atticum 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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