Pagina 15 di 62

[15] The writer parodies the proclamation at the Greek games; the

words also are Greek.

Marcus Aurelius seems to have been about eighteen years of age

when the correspondence begins, Fronto being some thirty years

older.[16] The systematic education of the young prince seems to

have been finisht, and Pronto now acts more as his adviser than

his tutor. He recommends the prince to use simplicity in his

public speeches, and to avoid affectation.[17] Marcus devotes his

attention to the old authors who then had a great vogue at Rome:

Ennius, Plautus, Naevius, and such orators as Cato and

Gracchus.[18] Pronto urges on him the study of Cicero, whose

letters, he says, are all worth reading.

[16] From internal evidence: the letters are not arranged in

order of time. See Naher's Prolegomena, p. xx. foll.

[17] Ad M. Caes., iii. x.

[18] Ad M. Caes ii. 10,; iii. 18,; ii. 4.