M. CORNELIUS FRONTO
so crippled me, that I am still scarcely able to bend, sit upright, or turn myself, so rigid must I keep my neck. But before my Lares, Penates, and household gods have I discharged and renewed my vows,[1] and prayed that next year I might embrace you twice on this anniversary, twice kiss your neck and hands, fulfilling at once the office of the past and the present year.
Antoninus Pius to Fronto.
Answer by Augustus.
As I have well ascertained the entire sincerity of your feelings towards me, so I find no difficulty, I assure you, my dearest Fronto, in believing that this day in particular, on which it was ordained for me to assume this station, is kept with true and scrupulous devotion by you above all others. And I indeed have with my mind's eye, as was right, pictured you and your vows . . . .[† 1]
Fronto to Marcus as Caesar.
To my Lord.
A happy New Year and a prosperous in all things that you rightly desire to you and our Lord your Father, and your mother and your wife and daughter,[2] and to all others who deservedly share your affection—that is my prayer! In my still feeble
- ↑ If this letter is correctly dated, these rota would be the decennalia. See Coins of Pius, Cohen, 226-229.
- ↑ As only one daughter is now mentioned, the little Faustina must have died, leaving Lucilla alone.
- ↑ Probably only a line or two of this letter is lost, the gap here covering part of Ad Pium, 7.
