Marcus Appuleius

Reading notes

• Ad Atticum 12.14 §2 Appuleius the auctioneer

  A "praediator" was a dealer in mortgaged property forfeited to the state, who handled the public auction of such estates and the sureties pledged on them. This Appuleius is the same man whose excuse business runs through these letters, here acting in his property-broker capacity.

• Ad Atticum 12.15 §1 I am excused before Appuleius day by day

  Appuleius was the augur presiding over the augural college; Cicero, a member, needed a formal excuse renewed daily to be absent from its meetings while he grieved at Astura. The "standing excuse" (a single blanket leave) had been refused, so the absence had to be entered day by day.

• Ad Atticum 12.17 §1 I have been excused before Appuleius

  The named men --- Laterensis, Naso, Laenas, Torquatus, Strabo --- were fellow augurs who formally certified Cicero's excused absence to Appuleius, the presiding augur. The college required colleagues to vouch for an absent member's leave.

• Ad Atticum 12.17 §1 Appuleius the auctioneer a generous one

  A praediator was a dealer who bought up and pursued debts secured on property pledged to the treasury. The phrase puns on the augur Appuleius, who in this financial role would press the old surety claim.