M. CORNELIUS FRONTO
part as I do very few, please use him as one who is dear to me, welcome him when he comes and win his love with your gracious care for him and give him the best of help with friendly counsel. Afterwards I desire you often to test the health and condition of your guest[† 1] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fronto to Cornelius Repentinus,[1] greeting.
You have acted, brother Contuccius, according to your never-failing habit and kindness in so effectually safeguarding the good name of Fabianus, a man of tried experience in civil duties, constant in attendance at the forum, and my close friend. May the immortal Gods ensure to you with all happiness a recompense equal to your kindness[† 2] . . . . . . . . nor will you soon find (such among) the nobles: hold rather that they were full of sufficiently undisguised hatred . . . .
Fronto to Claudius Severus,[2] greeting.
1. The custom of recommendation is said in the first instance to have sprung from good will, when eveiy man wished to have his own friend made
- ↑ Corn. Repentinus Contuccius was praef. praet. with Fur. Vietorinus for the year 159, and probably died that year. As the praef. praet. had judicial powers, the case of Fabianus may have come before him.
- ↑ Probably the consul of 146, and the father-indaw of Marcus's daughter Fadilla. In his Thoughts, i. 14, Marcus mentions the latter as "having confidence in the love of his friends."
- ↑ Hauler says five lines more of the letter remain, in which Fronto sends greetings to his friends, and thanks Lollianus by anticipation for his trouble.
- ↑ About one column is lost, but in this Hauler (Wien. Stud. 33, pp. 174 ff.) says he has deciphered some other lines, which he does not, however, give.
