M. CORNELIUS FRONTO
Let me have the name of the people's tribune against whom Acilius the censor, of whom I wrote, set a mark.
Fronto to Marcus as Caesar
To my Lord.
My answer to you, my Lord, has been somewhat delayed, for I delayed to open your letter, as I was on my way to the forum to plead. I feel better, but the little sore is deeper. Farewell, my sweetest of Lords. Greet my Lady.
M. Lucilius,[1] a tribune of the people, against the decision of his colleagues and with his own hand cast into prison by force a Roman citizen, though they ordered his discharge. For that action he was "marked" by the Censors. First divide the case, then try your hand on either side both as accuser and defender. Farewell, my Lord, the light of all your friends. Greet your lady mother.
Marcus Aurelius to Fronto
To my master.
Gaius Aufidius[2] gives himself airs, extols his own judgment to the skies, says that not another man more just than himself ever came from Umbria, for I must not exaggerate, to Rome. What need of more? He would rather win praise as a judge
- ↑ A Lucilius was trib. pl. in 94, but no Acilius appears as censor at that date. This letter seems to be an answer to the preceding one, but it gives details of the theme which we should expect to have been given when it was first set.
- ↑ Victorinus, later Fronto's son-in-law. For his incorruptibility see Dio, lxxii. 11. The family came from Pisaurum in Umbria.
