Arguably the shortest written exchange ever was that between Victor Hugo and his publisher, following the publication of Les Misérables, with Hugo enquiring with a simple "?" about the book's success, and his publisher responding: "!"

A hot contender for the second shortest exchange, however, is that following a bet between two friends who would be able to write the shortest letter in Latin. Thus, the first man wrote: "Eo rus" -- "I am going to the countryside." His friend responded: "I" -- "Go!" ... and had won the bet.

While this story is primarily associated with two Roman senators, it was later co-opted by a minor 18th century playwright for an alleged exchange with one of his country's most famous poets and philosophers.

Who was the 18th century playwright, and who his famous countryman?

choose the correct answer:

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Themis-Athena
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