Cicero to Atticus, written from Astura on the sixth day before the Ides of May 709 AUC — 10 May 45 BC (the manuscript dateline: Scr.\ Asturae vi Id.\ Mai.\ a.\ 709 (45)). One of the most self-conscious notes in the sequence on the rhythm of the daily correspondence itself. Cicero had not missed Atticus’ letter on the sixth before the Ides — he understood there was nothing to say, and he had supposed Atticus was away from Rome — but he insists nonetheless on sending almost daily, so that Atticus is never without a courier. The empty letter, when it came, was not unwelcome: simply knowing nothing was new with Atticus was something. The figure is touching and characteristic of the Astura months — the daily transit of letters is the structure that keeps the grief held.

The shrine and gardens project recurs in the abrupt section break (the manuscripts split mid-sentence at secundum / Othonem): next after Otho, nothing pleases Cicero more than Clodia’s place, but he does not think Clodia will sell — she is fond of the property and is well off — and the other affair (the Scapula heirs) remains as difficult as Atticus knows. The closing section signals Cicero’s first stirring away from Astura: he intends to leave the day after the Ides, either for the Tusculanum or for the house in Rome, and perhaps from there to Arpinum. The move will come on 16 May.