A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

a philosopher of the Epicurean school. He lived for some time in Rome, were he became acquainted, amongst others, with Cicero, and whith the family of C. Memius. Either now, or subsequently, he also gained the friendship of Attieus, From Rome he either removed or returned to Athens, and there succeeded Phaedrus as president of the Epicurean school B. C. 52. C. Memmins had, while in Athens, Procured permission from the court of Areiopagus to pull down an old wall belonging to the property left by Epicurus for the use of his school. This was regarded by Patron as a sort of deceration, and he accordinaly addressed himself to Atticus and Cicero, to induce them to use their influence with the Areiopagus to get the decree rescinded. Atticus also wrote to Cicero on the subject, which he took up very warmly. Cicero arrived at Athens the day

after Memmius had departed for Mytilene. Finding that Memmius had abandoned his design of erecting the edifice with which the wall in question would have interfered, he consented to bestir himself in the matter; but thinking that the Areiopagus would not retract their decree without the consent of Memmius, he wrote to the latter, urging his request in an elegant epistle, which is still extant (ad Fam. 13.1. Comp. ad Att. 5.11, 19).

[C.P.M]