2017-03-07 Tue

“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it’s all within yourself, in your way of thinking.”

Marcus Aurelius, who reigned over the Roman Empire from 161-180 CE, was commonly known for his intellectual pursuits. Last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome, Marcus succeeded to the Roman throne after Emperor Pius Antonius, who adopted Marcus on persuasion by Emperor Hadrian.

Aurelius was a dedicated student, learning Latin and Greek. He was a practitioner of Stoicism, and his untitled writing, commonly known as the Meditations, is the most significant source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.

His political career was just as illustrious. In 140, Aurelius became consul or leader of the senate, later reigned from 161 – 169 CE with Lucius Verus, his brother, from 169 – 177 CE alone as the Emperor of Rome and from 177 - 180 CE along with his son, Commodus.

During his reign, the Roman Empire defeated a revitalized Parthian Empire in the East, the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatians with success during the Marcomannic Wars. He proved himself a skilful and competent General, in spite of having no formal training in warfare, in 168 AD when he successfully suppressed the revolts and the threats of the Germanic tribes.

Many opine that Marcus Aurelius symbolized, for many generations in the West, the Golden Age of the Roman Empire. Aurelius made his son Commodus his co-ruler in 177. Together they fought the northern enemies of the empire.

Marcus Aurelius sought to improve the lives of his subjects and also of those in the outlying regions of the Empire. He consistently placed the needs of the people before his own desires or visions of glory. Aurelius even hoped to extend the empire’s borders through the conflict with the northern enemies of the empire. But he did not live to see this vision to completion.

Marcus Aurelius died on March 17, 180. His son Commodus became emperor. His work 'Meditations', an intimate collection of his profound thoughts, is perhaps the most famous book ever written by a monarch.

“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact; everything we see a perspective, not the truth. “