Putting on a Fronto: Persona and Patterns of Language in Fronto’s Correspondence

Abstract

The subject of this chapter is the language of letters exchanged between Fronto and correspondents, specifically those linguistic means by which Fronto and his epistolary correspondents construct a persona and maintain and negotiate relationships. Analysis of the frequency of (Latin to Greek) code-switches, the diversity, or range of unique, address-terms, letter openings and closings used, and the type and frequency of requests show how Fronto’s relationship with Marcus Aurelius changes over time; and offer us one way to measure differences in Fronto’s epistolary relationship with the other correspondents.