178 THE ROMAN EMPIRE
The question of how to categorize these relationships is more than a
quibble over words, insofar as it draws attention to the issue of whether
they were characterized by the dependence and deference associated with
patronage. Pliny’s relationship with his supporter, the senior senator
Corellius Rufus, suggests that they were. Corellius Rufus paid Pliny the
compliment of treating him as an equal, but his behaviour was taken as
complimentary only because they were not equal ( Ep. 4.17.4). Pliny showed
a deferential attitude in seeking and following the advice of his supporter on
nearly every issue ( Ep. 9.13.6). In their unequal exchange Corellius provided
support that Pliny, as a new man, depended on for advancement in his career,
while Pliny displayed respect, extended his patron’s infl uence after the
completion of the latter’s career by acting on his advice, and fi nally provided
help for Corellius’ family after his death ( Ep. 4.17.4–7). The quasi- paternal
quality of these friendships stands out in Pliny’s description of his own
protégés, who used him as a model, accompanied him on his daily business
and even assumed the toga with the broad stripe ( latus clavus ) in his house
( Ep. 8.23.2, 6.6.5f.).
Several features of imperial society gave this type of patronage a special
importance in the Principate. Patronal support was essential in the
recruitment of the imperial elite, because no bureaucratic mechanisms were
developed to supply the next generation of aristocratic offi cials. The
emperor’s role in making these appointments is often emphasized, but in the
absence of training schools or application procedures the emperor had to
appoint those brought to his attention by senior friends like Corellius Rufus.
The mediators who supported the careers of young senators and equestrians
were generally patrons rather than fathers, because most young aspirants
were from new families and only a small fraction of those in the early stages
of their careers (perhaps a fi fth of thirty- year-olds) had a living father on
account of the relatively late age at marriage for men.^13 Thus, the imperial
elite was renewed, and the new families from across the empire were
introduced to traditional Roman ways, in large part through the patron–
protégé bonds.
The exchange between patron and protégé extended beyond the political
sphere. Pliny’s letters show him offering lesser friends support in a legal
matter related to an inheritance ( Ep. 6.8), a gift of 300,000 sesterces ( Ep.
1.19) and other fi nancial favours. The smaller resources of these protégés
normally precluded a comparable return – that is what made them ‘inferior
friends’ – but they could honour their patron with gratitude and, more
concretely, with bequests after their death.
The literary talents of some protégés gave a few of these relationships a
cultural dimension. While some authors and poets of the Principate were
men of substantial means and high rank, others hoped to support themselves
by writing for patrons. In return for the fame that would accrue to the
patron of a successful author, the latter might hope that his patron would
draw attention to his work and improve his material position with gifts