M. CORNELIUS FRONTO
he comes from the neighbouring and friendly state of Hippo Regius[1]; Postumius Festus[2] you cannot do wrong in electing as your patron in consideration of his character and eloquence, himself also a native of our province and of no distant state. Of these no ordinary patrons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[† 1] as long as my strength and health were sound, our business . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .[† 2] that our city has been established by the help of practised speakers and men in the prime of life . . . . . . . . . . . .[† 3] we should have a well-known man and a consular to be responsible for our public interests. I too, as I hope, while young and strong, played no obscure part in civil affairs. There are many other natives of Cirta also in the Senate, entitled to be called most eminent.[3] The last honour is the greatest, three of your citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .[† 4] but it is better for you now sometimes . . . . . . . . . . . .[† 5]
Lucius Verus to Fronto
To my master.
I have a serious complaint to make against you, my master, and yet that is not so great as my disappointment, that after so long a separation I did not embrace or speak to you, though you both came to the Palace and came when I had only just left the Lord my brother. You may be sure I gave my brother a
- ↑ Now Bona or Beled el Aneb.
- ↑ A grammarian of whom an inscr. (C.I.L. vi. 146) says orator utraque facundia maximus. For him see Aul. Gell. xix. 13.
- ↑ The official title of senators.
