Marcus Cornelius Fronto

Marcus Cornelius Fronto was born around 100 AD in the Numidian capital of Cirta (modern Constantine, Algeria), proudly describing himself in his writings as 'a Libyan of the nomadic Libyans'. Moving to Rome, his dazzling eloquence established him as the supreme lawyer, orator, and literary authority of the Antonine Empire, leading to his appointment as suffect consul in 142 AD.

Emperor Antoninus Pius entrusted Fronto with the education of his adopted sons, the future philosophers-emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. The rediscovered personal correspondence between Fronto and Marcus Aurelius reveals an affectionate, intellectually vibrant relationship that deeply shaped the moral character of the Roman Empire's most famous philosopher-emperor.