Fronto was the most celebrated rhetorician of his time, and exercised a commanding influence on literary criticism.

What, in fact, was the most celebrated rhetorician compared to a bishop-protectorof cities, counsellor of emperors, representative of God on earth?

Horace starts from Rome with Heliodorus, a celebrated rhetorician, and they make their way very leisurely to Anxur (Terracina), where they are overtaken by Maecenas.