Page:Cicero And The Fall Of The Roman Republic.djvu/88

68 as he doubtless foresaw was destined immediately to be renewed on a more horrible scale, he transferred his home and his money to Athens, where he resided for the next twenty-three years. On his return to Rome in the year 65 he still declined to take any active part either in the administration of the State or in the decision of the great issues of the time. His manhood coincided almost exactly with the period of the Civil Wars (88-31 B.C.); yet through them all he claimed, and his claim was allowed, to stand neutral. It was not an exalted part to play, and such apathy is a danger to any commonwealth; yet, as he bowed his head to each new master, the victory was always a little less savage, and the humiliation of the conquered a little less bitter, because Atticus was friend with all parties and could make his influence felt on the side of moderation.

His ample wealth was husbanded by skilful management and by frugal habits of life. Cornelius Nepos tells us that to his own knowledge Atticus' household expenses came to only £30 a month. His money was always at the disposal of his friends in difficulties, and especially when the fortunes of their party were at a low ebb. As he had aided Marius in his hour of danger, so he befriended the Pompeians who were in need of money for their hurried flight at the beginning of the second Civil War. He helped and protected Terentia when Cicero was in exile, and Fulvia and her children when Antony was defeated at Mutina.

We have here to consider mainly his life-long