Source edition
Cornelius Nepos. Cornelii Nepotis Vitae. Fleckeisen, Alfred; Halm, Karl, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1886.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This biographical work depicts the life of Titus Pomponius Atticus, a Roman knight (eques) who navigated the turbulent period of the late Roman Republic with exceptional wisdom and moral integrity. The narrative begins with Atticus's noble lineage, his literary education during youth, and his study in Athens, where his generosity earned him the deep affection of the citizens. Throughout the civil wars, he maintained a strict stance of political neutrality, winning the trust of opposing leaders such as Caesar, Antony, and Octavian, while continuously providing aid to those on the losing side. In his private life, despite his great wealth, he maintained a remarkably simple and moderate lifestyle, cultivating deep friendships with figures like Cicero and engaging in intellectual pursuits, including the compilation of historical works. Upon falling terminally ill in his later years, he steadfastly chose to end his life through fasting, bringing a dignified and self-determined close to his noble existence.