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He continued his literary studies throughout his life, and after

he became emperor we still find him asking his adviser for copies

of Cicero's Letters, by which he hopes to improve his

vocabulary.[24] Pronto helps him with a supply of similes, which,

it seems, he did not think of readily. It is to be feared that

the fount of Marcus's eloquence was pumped up by artificial

means.

[21] Pollio was a grammarian, who taught Marcus.

[22] Ad M. Caes., v. 27,; V. 22.

[23] Ep. Gracae, 6.

[24] Ad Anton. Imp., II. 4.

Some idea of his literary style may be gathered from the letter

which follows:[25]