1) A day in the life of a young heir to the throne. In this delightful letter, a twenty-something Marcus Aurelius describes his day:

"Today I worked at my studies from 3am to 8am with some snacks. Then for an hour I cheerfully paced around my bedroom wearing only my slippers..

2) ..Then I put on my boots and cloak and went to say good morning to the emperor (Antoninus Pius). We all set off for a hunt and daring deeds were done! We climbed a steep hill and heard some boars were caught but didn& #39;t catch any ourselves. In the afternoon we returned home..

3) ..Then I returned to my books. Kicking off my boots and cape I sat on the couch for two hours and read Cato& #39;s speech "On the Property of Pulchra" and another where he impeaches a tribune. Before you tell your slave "Hey, go get me Cato& #39;s speeches from the library of Apollo"...

4) ..don& #39;t bother, as I have the volumes here! I know they have copies at the Library of Tiberius, so my tip is ingratiate yourself with the librarian there. When I finished the speeches I wrote a few wretched little things that are only fit for dedication to water or fire..

5) Now I seem to have caught a cold, maybe from walking naked in my slippers or maybe I caught it from my bad writing. I frequently suffer nasal congestion but today my nose is running more than usual. Instead of pouring olive oil in my lamp this evening...

6) ..I& #39;ll pour the oil on my head and go to sleep, all this riding and sneezing have tired me out. Farewell my dearest teacher whom I cherish more than Rome itself."

(Marcus Aurelius writes to his tutor Cornelius Fronto c.145 AD, & #39;Fronto& #39;s Letters& #39;, 4.5)