Titus Pomponius Atticus.
58. Atticus was born in 109 B.C.,224
and spent his early life at Rome; but the dreadful events which attended the war between Marius and Sulla led him
to withdraw from Rome in 86 B.C. and take up his residence at Athens,225
where Cicero made his acquaintance about 79 B.C.
His father left him 2,000,000 sesterces, and his uncle Q. Caecilius 10,000,000.226
more. This property he found means of increasing by judicious investments, as he
managed the business affairs of Cato, Hortensius, Cicero, and others,227
made loans to individuals and towns,228
carried on the business of a publisher,229
and even kept trained bands of
[p. lii]
gladiators.230
He abstained carefully from all participation in politics, and
yet was on intimate terms with members of all political parties. His
philosophical views were in harmony with his political attitude, as he was an
Epicurean. His sister Pomponia married Q. Cicero.
The intimate friendship which existed between Atticus and Cicero had a
practical as well as a sentimental basis. Atticus found it profitable to act as
Cicero's financial agent, and he found the letters of recommendation, which his
friend wrote for him to the governors of provinces, of great service, while
Cicero derived great profit from the advice and help which Atticus rendered him
in domestic, political, literary, and financial matters. Atticus died in 32 B.C.231
