ho were then the most noted [Greek: politikoi] at Athens. The
meaning of the last question is made clear by a passage in the _De
Oratore_[140], where Cicero speaks of the combined Academic and Peripatetic
schools under that name. It may be with reference to the progress of the
_Academica_ that in a later letter he expresses himself satisfied with the
advance he has made in his literary undertakings[141]. During the whole of
the remainder of his sojourn at Astura he continued to be actively
employed; but although he speaks of various other literary projects, we
find no express mention in his letters to Atticus of the _Academica_[142].
He declares that however much his detractors at Rome may reproach him with
inaction, they could not read the numerous difficult works on which he has
been engaged within the same space of time that he has taken to write
them[143].

In the beginning of June Cicero spent a few days at his villa near
Antium[144], where he wrote a treatise addressed to Caesar, which he
afterwards suppressed[145]. From the same place he wrote to Atticus of his
intention to proceed to Tusculum or Rome by way of Lanuvium about the
middle of June[146]. He had in the time immediately following Tullia's
death entertained an aversion for Tusculum, where she died. This he felt
now compelled to conquer, otherwise he must either abandon Tusculum
altogether, or, if he returned at all, a delay of even ten years would make
the effort no less painful[147]. Before setting out for Antium Cicero wrote
to Atticus that he had finished while at Astura _duo magna_ [Greek:
syntagmata], words which have given rise to much controversy[148]. Many
scholars, including Madvig, have understood that the first edition of the
_Academica_, along with the _De Finibus_, is intended. Against this view
the reasons adduced by Krische are convincing[149]. It is clear from the
letters to Atticus that the _De Finibus_ was being worked out book by book
long after the first edition of the _Academica_ had been placed in the
hands of Atticus. The _De Finibus_ was indeed begun at Astura[150], but it
was still in an unfinished state when Cicero began to revise the
_Academica_[151]. The final arrangement of the characters in the _De
Finibus_ is announced later still[152]; and even at a later date Cicero
complains that Balbus had managed to obtain surreptitiously a copy of the
fifth book before it was properly corrected, the irrepressible Caerellia
having copi