DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18096#0206
142
Roman Africa
of their actions.' During his studies in Rome in the reign of
Domitian, Florus was a competitor for a prize of distinction,
and in the opinion of the public as well as of the judges was
entitled to the first place. But the Emperor refused to accept
their decision, on the ground that citizens of Rome should not
be held inferior to provincials. Poor Florus was in despair at
losing this coveted honour, and he tells us in his own words
that he fled from the capital in horror, so crushed by resentment
that he forgot the claims of his country and of his clear relatives
at home, and like a madman rushed about the world from one
place to another. He travelled about for many years, seeking
rest and finding none, and at last, by accident rather than from
any definite cause, he found himself at Tarraco in Spain. Here
he settled, establishing a high reputation for rhetoric, and
honoured by the patronage and friendship of the Emperor
Hadrian.
On taking a general survey of the representatives of literature
in Africa during the latter half of the second century, x^puleius
of Madaura has to share the chief honours with M. Cornelius
Fronto, a native of Cirta, the capital of Numidia. Dion Cassius
says that Fronto was renowned as an orator in the time of
Hadrian, and that, at the close of his reign, he was regarded as
the first advocate and pleader of his time. Between this Emperor
and the youthful orator there does not appear to have been any
intimate friendship—respect for talent on the part of Hadrian
and loyal veneration on the part of the scholar. Indeed, Fronto
himself says of Hadrian that he ' was not at ease in his presence,
but regarded him rather as a deity to be propitiated than a man
to be loved.' It was not till Antonine had ascended the throne
and had nominated the young princes Lucius Verus and Marcus
Aurelius as his successors that we recognise the sweet and gentle
nature of Fronto's disposition. The high esteem in which he
was held by Antonine, as much for personal character and charm
of manner as for literary attainments, caused his nomination as
preceptor to the young princes. And this was the turning-point
in Fronto's career, marred only by constant ill-health in ad-
vancing years, and the troubles and anxieties of a large family.
None of his principal works have been handed down unmutilated,
leaving us only fragments of history, treatises on various subjects,
and voluminous correspondence with his pupils, either as princes
Roman Africa
of their actions.' During his studies in Rome in the reign of
Domitian, Florus was a competitor for a prize of distinction,
and in the opinion of the public as well as of the judges was
entitled to the first place. But the Emperor refused to accept
their decision, on the ground that citizens of Rome should not
be held inferior to provincials. Poor Florus was in despair at
losing this coveted honour, and he tells us in his own words
that he fled from the capital in horror, so crushed by resentment
that he forgot the claims of his country and of his clear relatives
at home, and like a madman rushed about the world from one
place to another. He travelled about for many years, seeking
rest and finding none, and at last, by accident rather than from
any definite cause, he found himself at Tarraco in Spain. Here
he settled, establishing a high reputation for rhetoric, and
honoured by the patronage and friendship of the Emperor
Hadrian.
On taking a general survey of the representatives of literature
in Africa during the latter half of the second century, x^puleius
of Madaura has to share the chief honours with M. Cornelius
Fronto, a native of Cirta, the capital of Numidia. Dion Cassius
says that Fronto was renowned as an orator in the time of
Hadrian, and that, at the close of his reign, he was regarded as
the first advocate and pleader of his time. Between this Emperor
and the youthful orator there does not appear to have been any
intimate friendship—respect for talent on the part of Hadrian
and loyal veneration on the part of the scholar. Indeed, Fronto
himself says of Hadrian that he ' was not at ease in his presence,
but regarded him rather as a deity to be propitiated than a man
to be loved.' It was not till Antonine had ascended the throne
and had nominated the young princes Lucius Verus and Marcus
Aurelius as his successors that we recognise the sweet and gentle
nature of Fronto's disposition. The high esteem in which he
was held by Antonine, as much for personal character and charm
of manner as for literary attainments, caused his nomination as
preceptor to the young princes. And this was the turning-point
in Fronto's career, marred only by constant ill-health in ad-
vancing years, and the troubles and anxieties of a large family.
None of his principal works have been handed down unmutilated,
leaving us only fragments of history, treatises on various subjects,
and voluminous correspondence with his pupils, either as princes