[This is the first of two letters from July 28th.]
Good heavens, how sad about Athamas! As for your sorrow, it shows a kind heart, but it must be firmly kept within bounds. There are many ways to arrive at consolation, but the straightest is this: let reason secure what time is certain to secure. Let us however take care of Alexis, the living image of Tiro—whom I have sent back to Rome ill; and if ‘the hill’* is infected with some epidemic let us transfer him to my house along with Tisamenus. The whole upper story of my house is vacant, as you know. I think this is very much to the purpose.
Read Ad Atticum 12.10 in Latin here | Check the glossary here
Notes from the translator, E.S. Shuckburgh:
‘the hill’—The house of Atticus was on the Collis Quirinalis, that of Cicero on the Mons Palatinus. So Cicero talks of ‘the hill’ in referring to Atticus's house, as people living, e.g., in Grosvenor Place speak of those living ‘in the Square,’ i.e., in Grosvenor Square.