![]() But for my part, I admire him all the more for this very reason, that amid unusual and extraordinary difficulties he both survived himself and preserved the empire. The historian Cassius Dio describes Marcus’s attitude towards his son, Commodus who he made co-emperor few years earlier and was now to succeed him: “ was not strong in body and was involved in a multitude of troubles throughout practically his entire reign. Marcus’s death came in 180 in his military headquarters in modern day Vienna. His reign wasn’t easy: wars with the Parthian Empire, the barbarian tribes menacing the Empire on the northern border, the rise of Christianity as well as the plague that left numerous dead. He also co-ruled in the beginning with Lucius Verus, his adopted brother until Lucius’ death eight years later. In 161, as Antoninus died and ended one of the longest reigns, Marcus became the Emperor of the Roman Empire and ruled for nearly two decades until his death in 180. ![]() Marcus would also serve as a consul twice thus receiving a valuable and practical education. His education would become of serious concern and he would have the privilege of studying under Herodes Atticus, a rhetorician from Athens (Marcus would later write his Meditations in Greek) as well as Marcus Cornelius Fronto, his instructor in Latin whose letters of correspondence with Marcus survive to this day. ![]() Once Hadrian died, it was clear that Marcus was next in line for the most important position in the empire. This is how Marcus’s name changed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. He was a senator who was also childless and he would have to adopt Marcus, as per Hadrian’s condition, as well as Ceionius’s son, Lucius Verus. He had to pick a successor and after his first choice, Lucius Ceionius, died unexpectedly, he chose Antoninus. Around his teenage years, the reigning emperor at the time, Hadrian was nearing death and was childless. There is little that is known of his childhood but he was a serious young man who also enjoyed wrestling, boxing and hunting. Marcus Annius Verus was born in a prominent and established family but nobody at the time would have predicted that he would one day be Emperor of the Empire. Before we begin our studies we need to ask ourselves: Who are the people that followed these precepts? Who can I point out as an example? Am I proud to look up to this person? Do I want to be more like them?Īnd Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, born nearly two millennia ago (121 – 180), is a leader and example who provides a resounding yes. Learn more here and make sure to register before the live cohort begins on March 22nd! IntroductionĪgasicles, king of the Spartans, once quipped that he wanted to be ‘the student of men whose son I should like to be as well.’ It is a critical consideration we need to make in our search for role models. ![]() Along with 14 daily emails, there will be 3 live video sessions with bestselling author Ryan Holiday, one of the world’s foremost thinkers and writers on ancient philosophy and its place in everyday life. It’s a 14-day course that will equip you with the tools to live as vibrant and expansive a life as the Stoics. If you want to take a deeper dive into Stoicism and learn how to apply the philosophy to your life, check out our most popular course, Stoicism 101: Ancient Philosophy For Your Actual Life. You can also read our introduction to Stoicism if you are not familiar with the philosophy. Here you will find a short introduction to Marcus, suggested readings, three exercises/lessons from him as well as a selection of quotes. This is part of our 3-part short series on the three most important Stoic philosophers: Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus. ![]()
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