B.C. 45, ÆT. 61 and also something about Terentia. Pray tell me in your next whether Cn. Cæpio, father of Claudius's wife Servilia, perished in the shipwreck before or after his father's death: also whether Rutilia died in the lifetime of her son C. Cotta, or after his death.[1] These facts affect the book I have written "On the Lessening of Grief."
DLIII (A XIII, 6, §§ 1-3)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Astura (16 March)
About the aqueduct you did quite right. You may perhaps
find that I am not liable to the pillar-tax. However, I think
I was told by Camillus that the law had been altered.
What more decent answer can be given to Piso than the
absence of Cato's guardians? Nor was it only from the
heirs of Herennius that he borrowed money, as you know,
for you discussed the matter with me, but also from the
young Lucullus: and this money his guardian had raised
in Achaia. I mention this because it is one element in the
case also.[2] But Piso is behaving well about it, for he says
that he will do nothing against my wishes. So when we
meet, as you say, we will settle how to untangle the business.
You ask me for my letter to Brutus: I haven't got a copy
of it, but it is in existence all the same, and Tiro says that
you ought to have it. To the best of my recollection,
along with his letter of remonstrance I sent you my answer
to it also. Pray see that I am not troubled by having to
serve on a jury.
- ↑ We know nothing of this Cæpio. Boot quotes Seneca (Consol. ad Helviam, 16, 7) to show that Rutilia survived her son. C. Aurelius Cotta, consul B.C. 75, was a great orator. These antiquarian questions, as well as the whole tone of the letter, shew that Cicero was conquering his sorrow.
- ↑ We cannot explain this, because we don't know the circumstances. The son of Cato Uticensis, still a minor, seems to have borrowed money through his guardian, payment of which was being claimed by Piso.
