Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, 121–180 CE

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About

Marcus Aurelius, born Marcus Annius Verus in Rome in 121, was adopted by Emperor Antoninus Pius and succeeded him in 161. His reign (161–180) was marked by wars against the Parthians and Germanic tribes, as well as the Antonine Plague. He is the author of the *Meditations* (*Ta eis heauton*), a collection of personal reflections in Greek, which became a foundational text of Stoicism. He died in 180 during a military campaign on the Danube.

Major works

Meditations (c. 170–180)philosophical writings

Key milestones

121Born in Rome.
161Becomes emperor, ruling jointly with Lucius Verus.
180Dies on military campaign on the Danube.

Themes

StoicismSelf-reflectionDuty and responsibilityImpermanence and mortalityGovernance and ethics

Sources: plato.stanford.edu · britannica.com · iep.utm.edu

“Man must be arched and buttressed from within, else the temple wavers to the dust.”

— Marcus Aurelius AntoninusTheme · Personal Development

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“Remember that to change your mind and follow him who sets you right is to be none the less free than you were before.”

— Marcus Aurelius AntoninusTheme · Wisdom

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“It is a shameful thing for the soul to faint while the body still perseveres.”

— Marcus Aurelius AntoninusTheme · Courage

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