warmth of the afternoon
sun, and a tower which commands an extensive view of the country round.
Then there is a granary and a store-room."

This was probably a larger villa than Cicero's, though it was itself
smaller than another which Pliny describes. We must make an allowance
for the increase in wealth and luxury which a century and a half had
brought. Still we may get some idea from it of Cicero's country-house,
one point of resemblance certainly being that there was but one floor.

What Cicero says about his "Tusculanum" chiefly refers to its furnishing
and decoration, and is to be found for the most part in his letters to
Atticus. Atticus lived for many years in Athens and had therefore
opportunities of buying works of art and books which did not fall in the
way of the busy lawyer and statesman of Rome. But the room which in
Cicero's eyes was specially important was one which we may call the
lecture-room, and he is delighted when his friend was able to procure
some appropriate ornaments for it. "Your _Hermathena_" he writes (the
_Hermathena_ was a composite statue, or rather a double bust upon a
pedestal, with the heads of Hermes and Athene, the Roman Mercury and
Minerva) "pleases me greatly. It stands so prettily that the whole
lecture-room looks like a votive chapel of the deity. I am greatly
obliged to you." He returns to the subject in another letter. Atticus
had probably purchased for him another bust of the same kind. "What you
write about the _Hermathena_ pleases me greatly. It is a most
appropriate ornament for my own little 'seat of learning.' Hermes is
suitable every where, and Minerva is the special emblem of a
lecture-room. I should be glad if you would, as you suggest, find as
many more ornaments of the same kind for the place. As for the statues
that you sent me before, I have not seen them. They are at my house at
Formiae, whither I am just now thinking of going. I shall remove them
all to my place at Tusculum. If ever I shall find myself with more than
enough for this I shall begin to ornament the other. Pray keep your
books. Don't give up the hope that I may be able to make them mine. If I
can only do this I shall be richer than Crassus." And, again, "If you
can find any lecture-room ornaments do not neglect to secure them. My
Tusculum house is so delightful to me that it is only when I get there
that I seem to be satisfied with myself." In another letter we hear
something about the prices. He ha