Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor
Meet the famous philosopher who ruled the Roman Empire.
Marcus Aurelius was among the greatest Stoic thinkers. He put his philosophy into practice, ruling the mighty Roman Empire with equanimity and grace.
Making of a Emperor
Within the heart of Rome, Marcus Aurelius was born on April 26, 121 AD. Both of his parents came from rich upper-class families. His father served as a praetor in Spain, but died a few years after Marcus’ birth. His mother never remarried after her husband’s death. Like many rich Romans, Aurelius was raised by a wet nurse. Marcus and his younger sister were raised by their mother and paternal grandfather, who officially adopted the young boy. “From my grandfather, I learned decency and a mild temper,” Marcus later recalled in his Meditations.
Classical education
As a schoolboy, young Aurelius received a classical education. He learned Latin, grammar, music, and other subjects. A serious and devoted student, Marcus was highly favored by Emperor Hadrian, who gave him the nickname Verissimus, which means “truest.” Marcus’ favorite subject was Greek philosophy. Exposed from an early age, he took those lessons to heart. The young man began wearing a cheap cloak, and sleeping on the floor.
Roman citizen
The 14-year-old Marcus received his milky white toga virilis, marking his transition into manhood. Now, he was a full-blown Roman citizen. Emperor Hadrian arranged for a political marriage between young Marcus and a female relative. The Emperor picked Antonius Pius, Marcus’ uncle, as his heir in the year 138 AD. This put Marcus in the line of imperial succession. It horrified Marcus, who did not want this kind of power. Hadrian died later that year, leaving Marcus to organize the funeral and gladiator games. The new Emperor Antonius clashed with the Senate, insisting that his predecessor Hadrian be deified in death. Under his uncle’s reign, Marcus had to many more duties to handle. He became a consul in 140 AD, and got married to Faustina the Younger in 145 AD. Over their marriage, the couple had at least thirteen kids. But despite these new responsibilities, Marcus continued his studies until 147 AD, when he was aged 25. Many of these early philosophical influences would later appear in Marcus’ Meditations. Even as Emperor, the great Marcus Aurelius would personally attend lectures of philosophy.
Empire in chaos
After Emperor Antonius died in 161, Marcus and his brother Lucius became co-emperors. He was hailed by the Senate as Emperor, and was elected as the Pontifex Maximus. Antonius had enjoyed a peaceful reign, but not so with the great Marcus Aurelius. His reign saw its first crisis when a war broke out against Parthia. Even worse, he lacked any military experience on which to base his policy decisions. Legions were summoned into the north and east, but Rome suffered many defeats. The Parthians invaded into Syria. Marcus kept a correspondence with his old tutor, a man named Fronto, who assured the anxious emperor that Rome would prevail. Amid this turmoil, the enlightened Emperor focused on reforming Roman society. He freed slaves, and cared for orphans and minors. He gave political representation to Rome’s provinces. In 165, personal tragedy struck the Emperor himself when one of his children died in infancy. The Romans finally defeated the Parthians by 166. Roman soldiers returning home brought back disease, resulting in the deadly Antonine Plague. Sickness and death infested the Eternal City. Not long after the conflict with Parthia, Rome suffered another war, this time against the Marcommanic tribes. These Germans agitated within the frontiers of Rome’s vast empire. In 172, the Romans crossed over the Danube to pacify the Germans. According to legend, Marcus performed miracles that ensured a Roman victory. A thunderbolt struck the enemy from the sky. When the Romans were exhausted by scorching heat, clouds suddenly appeared and provided rainwater. Those miracles were later depicted on the Column of Marcus Aurelius, which still stands in Rome today. After winning the war, the Romans signed a treaty with the Marcomanni, restoring peace.
Stoic philosophy
The difficult life of a Roman Emperor took its toll on Marcus Aurelius. He began to suffer from a painful chest and stomach ulcer. To heal the pain, he received opiate medicine from the famous doctor Galen. Marcus became addicted, and he suffered from drowsiness and insomnia. To cope with the pain, the great Marcus Aurelius turned to Stoic philosophy. He wrote the Meditations, a series of twelve books that laid out his philosophical ideas. Stoic teachings emphasized the feeling of positive emotion and resilient character. It focused on self-analysis and good morality. It promoted practical rationally as a way to live harmoniously with the universe. Written in Greek, the Meditations were intended for his private use only. Although not intended for the public at all, Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations are today considered a masterpiece of Western philosophy and literature.
Last of the Romans
As his reign drew to a close, Marcus toured across the world, visiting Egypt and Athens. There, in the famous Greek city, he was initiated into the mystery cults of Demeter and Persephone. The Stoic Emperor returned home in 176 AD. His 15-year-old son became Rome’s youngest-ever consul the following year, in 177. One of Marcus’ ex-girlfriends tried to offer herself in marriage, but the Stoic Emperor refused. Instead, he took a mistress. Even as his health declined, the dutiful Marcus continued to reform Rome’s laws and administer justice. A humane leader, he made changes to slavery and gladiator bloodsport. Persecution of Christians grew more intense during his reign, although his personal involvement is debated. Natural disaster struck at Smyrna. To help the victims of the earthquake, the Stoic Emperor used Rome’s finances for reconstruction. Throughout his reign, Marcus’ policy always sought to protect the Roman Empire, rather than expanding it needlessly. Unlike many of his predecessors, Marcus was neither cruel nor tyrannical. Marcus’ death marked the end of an era. Aurelius was the last of the Good Emperors. After him, Rome would suffer under an exhausting series of bloodthirsty and corrupt leaders, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Romans.
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