Marcus Aurelius Fronto

Marcus Aurelius Fronto was a soldier of the Legio II Adiutrix stationed at Aquincum and, together with his brother Marcus Aurelius Frontinianus, was responsible for the foundation of a Mithraic sanctuary at Budaörs, probably in AD 213, although a date in 222 cannot be entirely excluded. The two men are explicitly described as fratres in their dedication to Sol Socius. Clauss (1992) regarded them as blood brothers and perhaps relatively recent Roman citizens, while Vágási (2018) likewise considers the relationship familial, noting that the cognomen Frontinianus is derived from Fronto.

The brothers erected two inscribed altars in connection with their foundation: one to the invincible god Mithras (TNMM 1787; CIMRM 1792) and another to Sol Socius (TNMM 558; CIMRM 1793). According to Vágási, the sanctuary was most likely established on their own property at Budaörs. The cult relief found with the two altars (TNMM 1786; CIMRM 1791) probably formed part of the same sanctuary. She further suggests that two statues, now lost, may originally have accompanied the altars and represented Mithras and Sol.

Fronto and Frontinianus appear to have been ordinary legionaries rather than officers. Their ability to finance a sanctuary, its altars and associated cult equipment is therefore significant. Clauss emphasised the substantial role played by members of the Legio II Adiutrix in Mithraic activity around Aquincum, while Vágási points out that the financing of sanctuaries by soldiers of comparatively low rank was not without parallels in Pannonia. The Budaörs inscriptions nevertheless provide an unusually direct record of two serving brothers acting together as founders of a Mithraic community and its place of worship.