The correspondence of Marcus Cornelius Fronto with Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Lucius Verus, Antoninus Pius, and various friends Volume 2

by Marcus Cornelius Fronto

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 ...and without circumspection, but I lend my support to those whose petition is honest. To those, however, who wish to obtain some dishonest advantage from you, 1 say Impossible. That Baburiana should rather from me.... men dear to me and I would most gladly oblige them, only so far however as is compatible above and before all with a regard for your justice.... It seemed in keeping with your humane disposition2; I took upon myself to commend Baburiana's wish to you, and I do commend it most heartily with regard to constructing the work Baburiana bowed to your decision not resignedly only but even promptly and almost willingly.... What then does she ask which would not be worth your while to grant, and at the same time very much to Baburiana's interest to obtain.... payment of interest in accordance with your decision 1 This letter seems to refer to a contract for a public building, for part of which Baburiana was responsible. Arrius had found some fault with this, or had fined B. for the work not being finished in time. 2 Humanitas was beginning about this time to get the meaning humanity. See Aul. Gell. xiii. 16; Digest, xliv. 37, etc..... extruendo adiungatur....J quondam petita. Contulisse.... infamia multata videtur. Id populo quoque....2 Ad Amieos, i. 8 (Naber, p. 179). Fronto Passieno Rufo salutem. Ambr. 820, Aemilius Pius cum studiorum elegantia tum following morum eximia probitate mihi carus est. Commendo eum tibi, frater. Nee ignoro nullum adhuc inter nos mutuo scriptitantium3 usum fuisse, quamquam ego te optimum virum bonarumque artium sectatorem communium amicorum fama cognossem, et tu fortasse aliquid de me secundi rumoris acceperis. Sed nullum pulchrius amicitiae copulandae tempus4 reperire potui quam adulescentis optimi conciliandi tibi occasion...

94 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2012

About the author

Fronto was born a Roman citizen in about AD 100 in the Numidian capital Cirta. Educated at Rome,he soon gained such renown as an advocate and orator as to be reckoned inferior only to Cicero. He amassed a large fortune, erected magnificent buildings and purchased the famous gardens of Maecenas. Antoninus Pius, hearing of his fame, appointed him tutor to his adopted sons Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.

In 142 he was consul for two months (August and September), but declined the proconsulship of Asia on the grounds of ill-health.
His latter years were embittered by the loss of all his children except one daughter.
His talents as an orator and rhetorician were greatly admired by his contemporaries, a number of whom were later regarded as forming a school called after him Frontoniani; his object in his teaching was to inculcate the exact use of the Latin language in place of the artificialities of such 1st-century authors as Seneca the Younger, and encourage the use of "unlooked-for and unexpected words", to be found by diligent reading of pre-Ciceronian authors.
He found fault with Cicero for inattention to that refinement, though admiring his letters without reserve.

He may well have died in the late 160s, as a result of the Antonine Plague that followed the Parthian War, though conclusive proof is lacking.