The Letter from the Field
As I remember, Marcus was one of the most diligent students I have ever taught. When he was young, I started to teach him at the age of 12. He had been taught with the basics, reading and writing in Latin, before he came to me. His adoptive father, Antoninus Pius, was the heir to the Roman Empire. Since Marcus's father was a wealthy man, he began his formal education with a Greek nurse. She took care of him while he was young and taught Marcus about the old Greek ways. The nurse was a great inspiration for Marcus, since she spoke Latin and Greek correctly and also urged him to work hard in his studies. Therefore, he grew up speaking the two languages well and was a hardworking student.
When Marcus started coming to me at the age of 12, he was a very eager learner. I first taught him arithmetic, astronomy, drama, music, oratory and the finer skills of reading and writing in Latin and Greek. As he became older, his interests grew rapidly and he ventured off to new subjects. In Marcus' early years, we would spend a whole morning learning new things, without a break. At first, this was hard for Marcus. As time went on, it became easier to stay and listen to my teachings. Sometimes he would even stay through noon because he was so interested in the subject matter that we were talking about. He was a thought-provoking student.
I began my tutelage of Marcus with rhetorical philosophy. I taught him the art of speaking in public and the art of persuasion. Marcus was destined for a career in politics and law. His study of public speaking was improved by his reading of philosophy and history. As he developed further and grew in his own thinking, he got sidetracked with the old unpopular to this day Stoic philosophy. Marcus followed the teachings of Epictetus. This kind of philosophy was based on the thought that all things are fated to be. Therefore, he felt a wise and virtuous person accepts and makes the best of that which cannot be changed. Happiness was reached by following reason, declining life's desires, and concentrating only on issues one had the power and ability to change.
As the years passed, Marcus stopped coming to me as a student, but he has always kept in touch and we have had great discussions. He also has written a number of letters from many places; usually they have come from the battlefield. I just recently received one from him.
Dear Fronto,
I am writing to you from the Danubian frontier. We have held the Marcomanni and the Quadi tribes at bay, but for a long time my men have become sick from a plague. This reminds me of the times when I was your student and you taught me history. You told me that there were many wars in the past that showed who were the better emperors before my grandfather and my father. That helps me understand how to keep peace or if possible win against these rebellious inferiors. There were times you told me about how the treasury was drained by them and mass riots and revolts came about. And I remember your exact words were "to gain more money you have to win wars".
I hear that my former general, Avidius Cassius, has proclaimed him self emperor, having heard the rumor that I have died. I have decided to make peace with the tribes up north so I can put all my efforts into capturing this mongrel. Once you said "don't trust someone too much, or they will come back and take what is rightfully yours". I did the exact thing you said not to do. I put him in charge of most of the area in the East and South of the empire. It included the province of Egypt and other lands under Roman Rule. The fact that he has dishonored me makes me disgusted and I question my other generals and wonder if they will defy me. My only option is to deprive them of their powers. Now I have been told that Avidius's soldiers, loyal to me, have killed him. Therefore I will not march against them. I will soon make a visit to Antioch, Alexandria, and Athens. My grandfather made a similar visit when he was emperor. Is this a way of showing your respect to others? This also begsn the question, who will be the next emperor? I have thought about continuing the tradition with picking the best man, but I want the throne to stay in the family as it has for the last three generations.
I have learned about the floods, famine, and earthquakes that have been spreading throughout the empire and the deadly plague responsible for killing many Romans. By what you taught me I have learned; that you should first correct the problems within your empire and then deal with the problems in other places. I understand that there are barbaric tribes attacking small towns and cities that cannot fight for themselves, and I hope that I will be able to make peace with those tribes in the near future.
I have decided that soon I will bring my son out to the battlefields. I feel this is a great way to get him to learn about what it is like to be an emperor. He will help me and this will be a great experience for him.
Your devoted student,
Marcus
After reading about some of the hardships Marcus has gone through, I realize the strain the role of emperor has put on him. First of all, his son does not have anywhere near the qualities he needs to run an Empire and isn't honest. Secondly, his son will not do him any good in the field and only will be bothersome to Marcus. I also dread that if Commodus becomes very attached to his father and they become good friends, the boy might be chosen to assume the role of emperor upon Marcus's death.
If there is a need for a new emperor, Marcus should pick the best man for the job, which is what his father, and his grandfather did. The empire should not be given to Commodus. If this does happen the unworthy son will fall like a stone.
When I received the last letter I was horrified at its content, and I hope Marcus will not proceed as planned. I fear that the empire will come tumbling down and Roman life will be history.
Tom F., 03, Germantown Academy