allowing that Catulus and Lucullus, though of noble birth, had no claim to learning[175].  So little of it did they possess that they could never even have dreamed of the doctrines they had been made in the first edition of the Academica to maintain[176].  For them another place was to be found, and the remark was made that the Academica would just suit Varro, who was a follower of Antiochus, and the fittest person to expound the opinions of that philosopher[177].  It happened that continual rain fell during the first few days of Cicero’s stay at Arpinum, so he employed his whole time in editing once more his Academica, which he now divided into four books instead of two, making the interlocutors himself, Varro and Atticus[178].  The position occupied by Atticus in the dialogue was quite an inferior one, but he was so pleased with it that Cicero determined to confer upon him often in the future such minor parts[179].  A suggestion of Atticus that Cotta should also be introduced was found impracticable[180].

Although the work of re-editing was vigorously pushed on, Cicero had constant doubts about the expediency of dedicating the work to Varro.  He frequently throws the whole responsibility for the decision upon Atticus, but for whose importunities he would probably again have changed his plans.  Nearly every letter written to Atticus during the progress of the work contains entreaties that he would consider the matter over and over again before he finally decided[181].  As no reasons had been given for these solicitations, Atticus naturally grew impatient, and Cicero was obliged to assure him that there were reasons, which he could not disclose in a letter[182].  The true reasons, however, did appear in some later letters.  In one Cicero said:  “I am in favour of Varro, and the more so because he wishes it, but you know he is

  [Greek:  deinos aner, tacha ken kai anaition aitiooito.]

So there often flits before me a vision of his face, as he grumbles, it may be, that my part in the treatise is more liberally sustained than his; a charge which you will perceive to be untrue[183].”  Cicero, then, feared Varro’s temper, and perhaps his knowledge and real critical fastidiousness.  Before these explanations Atticus had concluded that Cicero was afraid of the effect the work might produce on the public.  This notion Cicero assured him to be wrong; the only cause for his vacillation was his doubt as to how Varro would receive the dedication[184].  Atticus would seem to have repeatedly communicated with Varro, and to have assured Cicero that there was no cause for fear; but the latter refused to take a general assurance, and anxiously asked for a detailed account of the reasons from which it proceeded[185].  In order to stimulate his friend, Atticus affirmed that Varro was jealous of some to whom Cicero had shown more favour[186].  We find Cicero eagerly asking for more information, on this point:  was