Marcus Cornelius Fronto→Unknown|c. 161 AD|Marcus Cornelius Fronto|From Rome (career hub)|AI-assisted
To the triumvirs and the decurions [the chief magistrates and town councillors of Cirta, Fronto's home city in Numidia].
1. How great is my concern <...> <...> and I would far rather that the protection of our native city be enlarged than my own personal favor. For this reason I urge you to appoint patrons, and to send formal resolutions to that effect to the men who at present hold the foremost place at the bar: Aufidius Victorinus, whom you will count among your townsmen, if the gods favor my plans; for I have betrothed my daughter to him, nor could I have provided better either for myself with regard to posterity or for my daughter with regard to her whole life than when I chose such a son-in-law for myself, a man of such character and of such great eloquence. Servilius Silanus too, an excellent and most eloquent man, you will hold as your patron by the right of a townsman, since he comes from the neighboring and friendly state of Hippo Regius. Postumius Festus you would rightly make your patron, on the score both of his character and of his eloquence, since he too is a native of our province and of a state not far distant. You will rejoice to enjoy the no slight endowment of these patrons. Make three of them, so that you may know them as men from my own circle—not as men who, because they were intimates of the Licinian family, were unwilling to lend their support against that case.
2. The reason which . . . . . drove the three m. . to a different plan, I shall state: As long as my age and my health remained unimpaired, your affairs and those matters which were reviewed by my own voice, I do not think . . . . . more easily, and the appointed terms of life, if for our advantage . . . . to be . . . . and to be founded on the safeguards of younger men; nor am I unaware how great . . . . throughout the course of our life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...] For we may have both a man popular with the people and a man of consular rank giving authoritative responses on public law. I too, as I hope, while the vigor of my prime was strong, played no obscure part in civic duties. There are also very many other men of Cirta in the Senate, men of the most distinguished rank. The last and greatest honor is that three men have administered your city . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...] . . . three to him or to himself, but it is even agreeable, unless . . . . that they will be present in number, but it is better for you now from time to time . . . . . what and how much . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...] I may set out the uncertain matters.
? 157–161 A.D. great are my cares . . . . and I should much prefer the guardianship of our native country to be strengthened than my own interests. Wherefore my advice to you is to choose for your patrons, and send resolutions to that effect to, those who at present stand highest at the bar—Aufidius Victorinus, whom you will have on your burgess-roll if the Gods favour my designs, for I have betrothed my daughter to him, nor could I have better consulted the interests either of myself in the matter of posterity or of my daughter in the matter of her whole life, than when I chose such a son-in-law, a man of such character and great eloquence; Servilius Silanus also, an excellent and most eloquent man, you will have as your patron by burgess right, since he comes from the neighbouring and friendly state of Hippo Regius ; Postumius Festus 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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as long as my strength and health were sound, our business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . that our city has been established by the help of practised speakers and men in the prime of life . . . . . . . . . . . . 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. The last honour is the greatest, three of your citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . but it is better for you now sometimes . . . . . . . . . . . .
ad amicos 2.11 [199 Hout; 1.292 Haines]
Triumviris et decurionibus.
1 Quantae mihi curae <...>
<...> multoque malim patriae nostrae tutelam auctam quam meam gratiam. Quare suadeo vobis patronos creare et decreta in eam rem mittere ad eos, qui nunc fori principem locum occupant: Aufidium Victorinum, quem in numero municipum habebitis, si di consilia mea juverint; nam filiam meam despondi ei nec melius aut mihi ad posteritatem aut meae filiae in omnem vitam consulere potui quam, cum talem mihi generum cum illis moribus tantaque eloquentia elegi. Servilium quoque Silanum optimum et facundissimum virum jure municipis patronum habebitis, cum sit vicina et amica civitate Hippone Regio. Postumium Festum et morum et eloquentiae nomine recte patronum vobis feceritis, et ipsum nostrae provinciae et civitatis non longinquae. Horum patronorum non mediocri dote frui gaudebitis. Tres facite, ut e meis cognoscites, non quasi quia familiares essent Liciniae familiae et adesse adversus rem eam noluerint.
2 Quae causa . . . . . tres m . . ad aliud consilium inpulerit, dicam: Quoad aetas mihi et valetudo integra fuit, negotia vestra et quae mea voce recensa sunt, non censeo facilius et aetates datas, si in rem nostram . . . . eraure et juniorum praesidiis esse fundatam, nec ignoro, quantus umutra per vitae nostrae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nam nos et virum popularem habeamus et virum consularem jus publicum respondentem. Ego quoque, ut spero, quoad aetatis vis viguit, in officiis civilibus non obscure versatus sum. Alii quoque plurimi sunt in senatu Cirtenses clarissimi viri. Postremus est honos maximus tres vestram gessisse civitatem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tria ei aut sibi, sed etiam suave est, nisi ardem adfuturos numero, sed vos melius est jam nunc interdum quid et quantum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . incerta explicem.
◆
To the triumvirs and the decurions [the chief magistrates and town councillors of Cirta, Fronto's home city in Numidia].
1. How great is my concern <...> <...> and I would far rather that the protection of our native city be enlarged than my own personal favor. For this reason I urge you to appoint patrons, and to send formal resolutions to that effect to the men who at present hold the foremost place at the bar: Aufidius Victorinus, whom you will count among your townsmen, if the gods favor my plans; for I have betrothed my daughter to him, nor could I have provided better either for myself with regard to posterity or for my daughter with regard to her whole life than when I chose such a son-in-law for myself, a man of such character and of such great eloquence. Servilius Silanus too, an excellent and most eloquent man, you will hold as your patron by the right of a townsman, since he comes from the neighboring and friendly state of Hippo Regius. Postumius Festus you would rightly make your patron, on the score both of his character and of his eloquence, since he too is a native of our province and of a state not far distant. You will rejoice to enjoy the no slight endowment of these patrons. Make three of them, so that you may know them as men from my own circle—not as men who, because they were intimates of the Licinian family, were unwilling to lend their support against that case.
2. The reason which . . . . . drove the three m. . to a different plan, I shall state: As long as my age and my health remained unimpaired, your affairs and those matters which were reviewed by my own voice, I do not think . . . . . more easily, and the appointed terms of life, if for our advantage . . . . to be . . . . and to be founded on the safeguards of younger men; nor am I unaware how great . . . . throughout the course of our life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...] For we may have both a man popular with the people and a man of consular rank giving authoritative responses on public law. I too, as I hope, while the vigor of my prime was strong, played no obscure part in civic duties. There are also very many other men of Cirta in the Senate, men of the most distinguished rank. The last and greatest honor is that three men have administered your city . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...] . . . three to him or to himself, but it is even agreeable, unless . . . . that they will be present in number, but it is better for you now from time to time . . . . . what and how much . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [...] I may set out the uncertain matters.
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 2.11 [199 Hout; 1.292 Haines] Triumviris et decurionibus. 1 Quantae mihi curae <...> <...> multoque malim patriae nostrae tutelam auctam quam meam gratiam. Quare suadeo vobis patronos creare et decreta in eam rem mittere ad eos, qui nunc fori principem locum occupant: Aufidium Victorinum, quem in numero municipum habebitis, si di consilia mea juverint; nam filiam meam despondi ei nec melius aut mihi ad posteritatem aut meae filiae in omnem vitam consulere potui quam, cum talem mihi generum cum illis moribus tantaque eloquentia elegi. Servilium quoque Silanum optimum et facundissimum virum jure municipis patronum habebitis, cum sit vicina et amica civitate Hippone Regio. Postumium Festum et morum et eloquentiae nomine recte patronum vobis feceritis, et ipsum nostrae provinciae et civitatis non longinquae. Horum patronorum non mediocri dote frui gaudebitis. Tres facite, ut e meis cognoscites, non quasi quia familiares essent Liciniae familiae et adesse adversus rem eam noluerint. 2 Quae causa . . . . . tres m . . ad aliud consilium inpulerit, dicam: Quoad aetas mihi et valetudo integra fuit, negotia vestra et quae mea voce recensa sunt, non censeo facilius et aetates datas, si in rem nostram . . . . eraure et juniorum praesidiis esse fundatam, nec ignoro, quantus umutra per vitae nostrae . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . nam nos et virum popularem habeamus et virum consularem jus publicum respondentem. Ego quoque, ut spero, quoad aetatis vis viguit, in officiis civilibus non obscure versatus sum. Alii quoque plurimi sunt in senatu Cirtenses clarissimi viri. Postremus est honos maximus tres vestram gessisse civitatem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . tria ei aut sibi, sed etiam suave est, nisi ardem adfuturos numero, sed vos melius est jam nunc interdum quid et quantum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . incerta explicem.