B.C. 45, ÆT. 61 in order to attain as nearly as possible to an apotheosis. This I could do if I built it in the villa itself, but, as we often observed to each other, I dread the changes of owners. Wherever I constructed it on the land, I think I could secure that posterity should respect its sanctity.[1] These foolish ideas of mine—for I confess them to be so—you must put up with: for I don't feel such confidence in taking even myself into my own confidence as I do in taking you. But if you approve of the idea, the site, and the plan, pray read the law and send it to me. If any method of evading it occurs to you, I will adopt it.
If you are writing to Brutus at all, reproach him, unless you think you had better not, for not staying at my Cuman villa for the reason he gave you. For when I come to think of it I am of opinion that he couldn't have done anything ruder. Finally, if you think it right to carry out the idea of the shrine as we began, pray urge on Cluatius and stir him up: for even if we decide on a different site, I think I must avail myself of his labour and advice. Perhaps you'll be at your villa to-morrow.
DLXXVIII (A XII, 37, §§ 1-3)
TO ATTICUS (AT ROME)
Astura (4 May)
I received two letters from you yesterday, the first delivered
on the previous day to Hilarus, the other on the
same day to a letter-carrier; and I learnt from my freedman
Ægypta, on the same day, that Pilia and Attica were quite
well. Thanks for Brutus's letter. He wrote me a letter
also, which did not reach me till the 13th day. I am
- ↑ By exempting it from following the proprietorship of the land. Such monuments had on them the letters H.M.N.S., "this monument does not go with (the land)"; or H.M.H.N.S., hoc monumentum heredem non sequitur, "does not belong to the heir." It was a regulation as old as the Twelve Tables, see de Leg. ii. § 61.
