Marcus Aurelius (26 April 121 – 17 March 180 AD) was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor from 161 until Verus’ death in 169. He was the last of the Five Good Emperors, and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers. During his reign, the Empire defeated a revitalized Parthian Empire in the East; Aurelius’ general Avidius Cassius sacked the capital Ctesiphon in 164. In central Europe, Aurelius fought the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatians with success during the Marcomannic Wars, with the threat of the Germanic looming. A revolt in the East led by Avidius Cassius failed to gain momentum and was suppressed immediately. Marcus Aurelius’ Stoic tome Meditations, written in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180, is still revered as a literary monument to a philosophy of service and duty, describing how to find and preserve equanimity in the midst of conflict by following nature as a source of guidance and inspiration.
PhilosophersNotes on Marcus Aurelius's Books All PhilosophersNotes
Meditations
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+1s Inspired by Marcus Aurelius All +1s
Visions of a Lifetime
Marcus Aurelius on the Present Moment
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Seneca: The Worse a Person Is the Less He Feels It
Aurelius: Don’t Like Yourself? Why Would I Care Whether or Not You Like Me?
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To Seek Fear
Is Step 1 in Conquering Fear
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Ferrari-Optimizing Pit Stops
Who’s in Your Crew? and… Who’s Crew Are YOU On?
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Aurelius on Life’s Great Harmony
And How to Stay in Tune
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A World Without Heroes
Let’s Choose This Day to Be One
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Hero Breathing
For Kids (and Their Parents)
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