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Sometimes Fronto sends him a theme to work up, as thus: 'M.

Lucilius tribune of the people violently throws into prison a

free Roman citizen, against the opinion of his colleagues who

demand his release. For this act he is branded by the censor.

Analyse the case, and then take both sides in turn, attacking and

defending.'[21] Or again: 'A Roman consul, doffing his state

robe, dons the gauntlet and kills a lion amongst the young men at

the Quinquatrus in full view of the people of Rome. Denunciation

before the censors.'[22] The prince has a fair knowledge of

Greek, and quotes from Homer, Plato, Euripides, but for some

reason Fronto dissuaded him from this study.[23] His Meditations

are written in Greek.