Cicero to Atticus, written at the Tusculan villa on 8 or 9 August 45 BC — Perseus dateline Scr. in Tusculano vi aut v Id. Sext. a. 709 (45). Two short sections; the fifth letter in eight days about the same affair. Cicero has now forwarded the nephew’s letter on to his brother Quintus. The brothers’ exchange is summarised in passing: Quintus blames himself for writing too sharply to his son about the wrong done to Atticus, and resigns himself to leaving his own house to the boy. Cicero, picking up the Pindaric phrase Atticus had recommended in 13.38, says he let the boy know with crooked stratagems that he would not be available — “for at that point Cana was being talked of” (a marriage prospect for young Quintus, briefly aired).

The second section is the consultation Atticus had called for in 13.40 (“face to face”). The principle is clear: ratio est habenda gravitatis — our dignity has to be taken into account — and uncle and nephew (Atticus and Cicero) must agree their line, even though Cicero has been the more gravely and publicly wronged. If Brutus weighs in too, the case is settled. The letter ends with the soldierly-comic commeatus: tomorrow, unless you grant me leave of absence.