From my great-grandfather...

I. 4. From my great-grandfather, not to have frequented public schools, and to have had good teachers at home, and to know that on such things a man should spend liberally.

Catilius Severus was Marcus’ great-grandfather on his mother’s side. Catilius Severus seems to have been from an Italian family than immigrated to Bithynia. He was in command of one of the eastern armies to support Hadrian after the death of Trajan. This support of Hadrian in the confusion following Trajan's death was never forgotten by the new emperor, and contributed greatly to Marcus being chosen to join the imperial family. Catilius Severus was consul twice. He must have had a great influence on Marcus’ early life; for a time Marcus was even given his name.

Marcus had exceptional teachers, as we will see later. He was greatly influenced by them, but he also knew how to think for himself as Fronto would later discover to his regret. The investment in education pays great rewards, and Marcus was keen enough to recognize that he learned this from Catilius Severus. This is as true today as it was in the first century A.D.