[208] Castricius seems to have been a negotiator or banker in Asia. We don't know what mistake is referred to; probably as to some money transmitted to Pomponia.
[209] It is suggested that Aristodemus is some teacher of the two young Ciceros, to whom the young Marcus wishes to apologize for his absence or to promise some study.
[210] Perhaps some inscription or other ornament for Atticus's gymnasium in his villa at Buthrotum.
[211] A verse from Lucilius. "Young Curio" is the future tribune of B.C. 50, who was bribed by Cæsar, joined him at Ravenna at the end of that year, was sent by him in B.C. 49 to Sicily and Africa, and fell in battle with the Pompeians and King Iuba.
[212] L. Saufeius, the Epicurean friend of Atticus (see Letter [II]). He seems to mean, "as indefatigable as Saufeius." But Prof. Tyrrell points out that it might mean, "at the risk of your thinking me as Epicurean and self-indulgent as Saufeius, I say," etc.
[213] The bay of Misenum, near which was Cicero's Pompeianum.
[214] Q. Cæcilius Bassus, probably quæstor at Ostia. Antium would be in his district.
[215] βοῶπις, sc. Clodia. She is to talk to her brother about Cicero. She is "Iuno" perhaps as an enemy—as Bacon called the Duchess of Burgundy Henry VII.'s Iuno—or perhaps for a less decent reason, as coniux sororque of Publius.
[216] Pompey, who was proud of having taken Jerusalem. Traductor ad plebem, said of the magistrate presiding at the comitia for adoption.
[217] Cicero himself. Clodius may have called him this from his biting repartees. Prof. Tyrrell, "Tear 'em."