“The wind scatters one year’s leaves on the ground — so it is with the generations of men”
— Marcus Aurelius (121–180 A.D.)
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius (born 26 April 121 AD in Rome — died 17 March 180 AD in Vienna or Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia). Marcus Aurelius ruled from 161 to 180 AD and is best known for his Meditations on Stoic philosophy.
Early Life
Marcus Aurelius was born into a prominent and wealthy family. His father, Marcus Annius Verus, was a magistrate. As part of a succession plan, his uncle, Emperor Antoninus Pius, adopted him at the command of the previous emperor, Hadrian.
His Reign
Marcus Aurelius was initially a co-emperor with the previous emperor’s son, Lucius Verus. Lucius died in 169 AD. Marcus Aurelius ruled alone until 177 AD, when he named his son Commodus co-emperor.
During his rule, several wars were fought, such as the Parthian War from 161–166 AD and the Marcomannic Wars from 166–180 AD. He also defended against Germanic tribes and other invaders while he was emperor. An important event that took place during his time as ruler was the Antonine Plague which lasted from 165–180 A.D; it had a big impact on Rome’s population size.
Philosophy
Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations during his military campaigns through Greece. The book is made up of private notes and reflections that provide an insight into Stoic philosophy as well as his own personal ethics — this makes it one of the most significant works on these subjects. He composed the Meditations with no thought of publishing them; they were meant for nothing but his own consolation and encouragement.
Stoic philosophy had a strong impact on him. This school of thought teaches that true happiness can only be achieved through reason, self-discipline and virtue. His writings serve as a reminder that life is fleeting, reason is essential, and we should always strive to become better people.
Legacy
He has been called the ‘Philosopher-King’ because of his dedication to both philosophy and rulership. He is also known as one of the ‘Five Good Emperors’, under whom there was a time of relative peace and prosperity in Rome. In addition, his ideas about leadership, duty, and honour are still influential today in fields such as philosophy or management studies, while his son Commodus’ rule signalled the start of the empire’s decline.