Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was the Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He was a practitioner of Stoicism, and his untitled writing, commonly known as the Meditations, is the most significant source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.

• Marcus Aurelius was born on 26 April 121 into a wealthy, prominent family in Rome, Italy.
• From very early on, absorbed himself in the works of the Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, who had a great influence over the Roman emperor’s ideologies.
• He married Faustina the Younger, a relative, in 145. The couple had 13 children together in their marriage of three decades. Two of them went on to become famous; Lucilla and Commodus.
• From 170 to 180, Aurelius wrote ‘Meditations’ a philosophical text. The book itself was first published in 1558 in Zurich and the only remaining copy can be found in the Vatican library.
• He passed away in Vindobona (Vienna) on 17 March 180 and his ashes were taken back to Rome. His son, Commodus, succeeded his father as the emperor.
• Following his death, he earned the title of philosopher-king; a title that still exists today.
• He was a devout student of philosophy and loved the subject so much that he donned the attire of a philosopher and was even known to sleep on the floor.