H ow great are my cares . . . . and I should much prefer the guardianship of our native country to be strengthened than my own interests. Wherefore my advice to you is to choose for your patrons, and send resolutions to that effect to, those who at present stand highest at the bar—Aufidius Victorinus, whom you will have on your burgess-roll if the Gods favour my designs, for I have betrothed my daughter1 to him, nor could I have better consulted the interests either of myself in the matter of posterity or of my daughter in the matter of her whole life, than when I chose such a son-in-law, a man of such character and great eloquence; Servilius Silanus also, an excellent and most eloquent man, you will have as your patron by burgess right, since he comes from the neighbouring and friendly state of Hippo Regius2; Postumius Festus3 you cannot do wrong in electing as your patron in consideration of his character and eloquence, himself also a native of our province and of no distant state. Of these no ordinary patrons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 as long as my strength and health were sound, our business . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .5 that our city has been established by the help of practised speakers and men in the prime of life . . . . . . . . . . . .6 we should have a well-known man and a consular to be responsible for our public interests. I too, as I hope, while young and strong, played no obscure part in civil affairs. There are many other natives of Cirta also in the Senate, entitled to be called most eminent.7 The last honour is the greatest, three of your citizens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 but it is better for you now sometimes . . . . . . . . . . . .9
161 A.D.
To my master.