[1799] From the Greek εἰκὰς, the “twentieth” day of the month.
[1800] In obedience to the maxim of Epicurus, Λάθε βιῶσας—“Live in obscurity.”
[1801] See B. xxi. c. 49, and Note 2139, p. 346.
[1802] This appears to have been the usual practice at the funerals of distinguished personages among the Romans: it is referred to by Tacitus, Ann. B. ii. c. 73, in his account of the funeral of Germanicus.—B.
[1803] “Tabulina.” Rooms situate near the atrium.
[1804] A cognomen of the Gens Valeria at Rome, from which the family of the Messalæ had also originally sprung.
[1805] So called from his father-in-law Pomponius, a man celebrated for his wealth, and by whom he was adopted. It would appear that Scipio Pomponianus adopted Scipio Salvitto, so called from his remarkable resemblance to an actor of mimes. See B. vii. c. 10.
[1806] They were probably, like the Scipios, a branch of the Gens Cornelia. Suetonius speaks in very derogatory terms of a member of this family, who accompanied Julius Cæsar in his Spanish campaign against the Pompeian party.
[1807] In the Greek Anthology, B. v., we have the imaginary portrait of Homer described at considerable length.—B.
[1808] Hardouin supposes that this work was written by Cicero, and that he named it after his friend Atticus; but, as Delafosse remarks, it is clear from the context that it was the work of Atticus.—B.