Graham, Alexander: Roman Africa: an outline of the history of the Roman occupation of North Africa ; based chiefly upon inscriptions and monumental remains in that country (London [u.a.], 1902)

Africa under Antoninus Pius

H5

raised him to the dignity of Consul, and at a later period, when
the proconsulships of Asia and Africa were vacant, the former
was offered for his acceptance. These were the only provinces
of the Empire having senatorial rank, both taking a position
somewhat similar to that enjoyed by the Governor-General of
India in our own days. But Fronto was dissatisfied. As a
native of Africa he had been looking forward to holding high
office in his own land and amongst his own people ; but on
hearing that the African appointment had been definitely settled
with the approval of the Emperor, he declined the proconsulship
of Asia on the ground of failing health. Amongst Africans Fronto
was deservedly popular on account of his good name, recognised
talents, and high social position. As an acknowledgment of
the services he had rendered to his countrymen he was made
patron of his native city, as well as of the rising town of Kalama
(Guelma), on the highway between Hippone on the coast and
Cirta, the capital of Numidia. He was also selected by the citizens
of Carthage to write a congratulatory address to the Emperor
for favours conferred upon their city. Among the vast number
of inscriptions discovered at Cirta, there is not one relating to
his name or his career, but there is a letter of his extant, ad-
dressed to the triumvirs and decurions of the city, acknowledging
the benefits conceded to him.1 On the wall of a house at
Kalama (Guelma), built into the masonry, may still be read the
official notification of Fronto as patron of Kalama, at a time
when the town ranked only as a municipium}

M • CORNELIO
T • F ■ QUIR
FRONTONI
III VIR • CAPITAL

Q. PROVINC
SICIL • AEDIL • PL
PRAETORI
MVNICIPES
KALAMENSI
VM PATRONO

1 Ad Amicos, ii. 10, p. 200. Triumvirs were magistrates who acted as judges
in the colonics and municipia. They were originally three in number, but were
sometimes increased to four to meet the necessities of a town. Sometimes there were
only two.

■ C.I.L. No. 5350, copied by M. Aubin. I.R.A. No. 2717.