Marcus Cornelius Fronto→Unknown|c. 161 AD|Marcus Cornelius Fronto|From Rome (career hub)|AI-assisted
Fronto to Egrilius Plarianus, a most eloquent man, greetings.
1. Julius Aquilinus, a man (if you have any trust in me) most learned and most eloquent, exceptionally trained by the disciplines of philosophy for the finest accomplishments and by the pursuits of eloquence for outstanding fluency of speech, I commend to you as earnestly as I can. It is fitting that from you, a man of the gravest character and the greatest wisdom, a man so learned and so refined should not only be protected, but also advanced and brought into distinction. Moreover, Aquilinus is (if you will believe me) a man of such a kind that he ought to be counted among your ornaments just as deservedly as among ours. You will not doubt that it is as I say, if you should think it worth your while to hear him debate concerning the doctrines of Plato. In keeping with your discernment and understanding, you will perceive the utmost abundance in his speaking, a most brilliant array of words, and the greatest profusion of thoughts.
2. When you have found these things to be so, know that there is yet more in the man's character, such is his integrity and his modesty. Very great gatherings to hear him have often been held at Rome. Very many men of our order not only approve his eloquence, but also admire his artistry. He has been led by a necessary obligation to set out from here, in order to console his cousin, who has been stricken by a grievous misfortune. However much honor you bestow upon my Aquilinus, consider that you have bestowed it upon me.
? 157–161 A.D. To Aegrilius Plarianus, greeting. I commend to you with all possible cordiality Julius Aquilinus, a man, if you have any faith in my judgment, most learned, most eloquent, exceptionally trained by the teachings of philosophy to the noblest accomplishments and by the study of eloquence to a matchless facility of speech. A man so learned and so cultured should naturally find from a man of your serious character and wisdom not only protection but advancement and honour. Aquilinus is also, believe me, a man of such a character that he deserves to be accounted an ornament to yourself no less than to me. You will not doubt that it is as I say, if you once deign to hear him discuss the doctrines of Plato. With your perspicacity and good sense you will find him not unequal to his high fame, most conspicuous for the magnificence of his language and the immense abundance of his thoughts. When you have realized the truth of this, know that there is still more behind in the man's character, so great are his integrity and his modesty. Crowds of people constantly gathered to hear him at Rome. There are numbers of senators who not only applaud his eloquence, but also admire his . . . . He was obliged to leave Rome by the necessary duty of comforting his lady cousin, who is suffering under a great misfortune. Any attention you pay to Aquilinus please consider as paid to me.
ad amicos 1.4 [174 Hout; 1.288 Haines]
Egrilio Plariano facundissimo viro Fronto salutem.
1 Julius Aquilinum virum, si quid mihi credis, doctissimum, facundissimum, philosophiae disciplinis ad optimas artis, eloquentiae studiis ad egregiam facundiam eximie eruditum, commendo tibi quam possum studiosissime. Decet a te gravissimo et sapientissimo viro tam doctum tamque elegantem virum non modo protegi, sed etiam provehi et inlustrari. Est etiam, si quid mihi credes, Aquilinus ejusmodi vir, ut in tui ornamentis aeque ac nostro merito numerandus sit. Non dubitabis ita esse, ut dico, si eum audire disputandum de Platonicis disciplinis dignatus fueris. Perspicies pro tua prudentia intelligentiaque summam in dicendo copiam, luculentissimum verborum apparatum, maximam frequentiam sententiarum.
2 Quom haec ita esse deprehenderis, scito amplius esse in hominis moribus, tanta probitate est et verecindia. Maximi concursus ad audiendum eum Romae saepe facti sunt. Plurimi nostri ordinis viri facundiam ejus non modo probant, sed arte mejus etiam admirantur. Officio necessario inductus est, ut hinc proficiscerentur ad consolandam consobrinam suam casu gravi adflictam. Quantumcumque Aquilino meo honoris tribueris, id te mihi tribuisse existimato.
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Fronto to Egrilius Plarianus, a most eloquent man, greetings.
1. Julius Aquilinus, a man (if you have any trust in me) most learned and most eloquent, exceptionally trained by the disciplines of philosophy for the finest accomplishments and by the pursuits of eloquence for outstanding fluency of speech, I commend to you as earnestly as I can. It is fitting that from you, a man of the gravest character and the greatest wisdom, a man so learned and so refined should not only be protected, but also advanced and brought into distinction. Moreover, Aquilinus is (if you will believe me) a man of such a kind that he ought to be counted among your ornaments just as deservedly as among ours. You will not doubt that it is as I say, if you should think it worth your while to hear him debate concerning the doctrines of Plato. In keeping with your discernment and understanding, you will perceive the utmost abundance in his speaking, a most brilliant array of words, and the greatest profusion of thoughts.
2. When you have found these things to be so, know that there is yet more in the man's character, such is his integrity and his modesty. Very great gatherings to hear him have often been held at Rome. Very many men of our order not only approve his eloquence, but also admire his artistry. He has been led by a necessary obligation to set out from here, in order to console his cousin, who has been stricken by a grievous misfortune. However much honor you bestow upon my Aquilinus, consider that you have bestowed it upon me.
AI-assisted translation - This translation was produced with AI assistance and has not been peer-reviewed. See the 19th-century translation or original Latin/Greek below for scholarly use.
Latin / Greek Original
ad amicos 1.4 [174 Hout; 1.288 Haines] Egrilio Plariano facundissimo viro Fronto salutem. 1 Julius Aquilinum virum, si quid mihi credis, doctissimum, facundissimum, philosophiae disciplinis ad optimas artis, eloquentiae studiis ad egregiam facundiam eximie eruditum, commendo tibi quam possum studiosissime. Decet a te gravissimo et sapientissimo viro tam doctum tamque elegantem virum non modo protegi, sed etiam provehi et inlustrari. Est etiam, si quid mihi credes, Aquilinus ejusmodi vir, ut in tui ornamentis aeque ac nostro merito numerandus sit. Non dubitabis ita esse, ut dico, si eum audire disputandum de Platonicis disciplinis dignatus fueris. Perspicies pro tua prudentia intelligentiaque summam in dicendo copiam, luculentissimum verborum apparatum, maximam frequentiam sententiarum. 2 Quom haec ita esse deprehenderis, scito amplius esse in hominis moribus, tanta probitate est et verecindia. Maximi concursus ad audiendum eum Romae saepe facti sunt. Plurimi nostri ordinis viri facundiam ejus non modo probant, sed arte mejus etiam admirantur. Officio necessario inductus est, ut hinc proficiscerentur ad consolandam consobrinam suam casu gravi adflictam. Quantumcumque Aquilino meo honoris tribueris, id te mihi tribuisse existimato.