Marcus Cornelius Fronto

Marcus Cornelius Fronto (c. 100–170 AD) was a prominent Roman orator, grammarian, and tutor to the emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Born in North Africa, Fronto rose to fame in Rome for his rhetorical skills, becoming one of the most celebrated advocates of his time. He was a proponent of a return to the classical Latin style, opposing the more ornate language of his contemporaries.

As a teacher, Fronto had a lasting influence on Marcus Aurelius, who corresponded with him regularly. Their letters, many of which survive, offer insights into their personal relationship and the intellectual atmosphere of the Roman Empire. Though much of Fronto's own writings are lost, his role as a mentor and defender of classical Latin remains significant in Roman literary history.