Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (called "the Wise") (April 26, 121^[2] – March 17, 180) was Roman Emperor from 161 to his death in 180. He was the last of the "Five Good Emperors", and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers. is the 67th day of the year (68th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events March 7 - Roman emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. ... Second Marcomanni War begins. ... Lucius Ceionius Commodus Verus Armeniacus (December 15, 130 – 169), known simply as Lucius Verus, was Roman co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius (161–180), from 161 until his death. ... Second Marcomanni War begins. ... Events A systematic persecution of Christians begins in Rome under Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. ... Events A systematic persecution of Christians begins in Rome under Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see number 180. ... Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (August 31, 161 – December 31, 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 121 is a traditional clan of RA3 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see number 180. ... For other uses, see Vienna (disambiguation). ... Ruins of Sirmium Julian solidus, ca. ... For the town with the same name, see Castel SantAngelo (RI) Castel SantAngelo from the bridge. ... Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus Pius (September 19, 86–March 7, 161) was Roman emperor from 138 to 161. ... Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (August 31, 161 – December 31, 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192. ... Faustina the Younger Annia Galeria Faustina, the Younger, (c. ... The Antonines most often referred to were two successive Roman Emperors who ruled between A.D. 138 and 180: Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius, famous for their skilled leadership. ... Domitia Lucilla or Domitia Calvilla was the mother of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. ... Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (August 31, 161 – December 31, 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192. ... Denarius of Lucilla. ... is the 116th day of the year (117th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 121 is a traditional clan of RA3 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. ... is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see number 180. ... Ordinary Magistrates Extraordinary Magistrates Titles and Honors Emperor Politics and Law This article discusses the nature of the imperial dignity, and its dynastic development throughout the history of the Empire. ... Events March 7 - Roman emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. ... For other uses, see number 180. ... All of this is untrue The Five Good Emperors is a term used by the 18th century historian, Edward Gibbon, in The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. ... Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy, founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the early third century BC. It proved to be a popular and durable philosophy, with a following throughout Greece and the Roman Empire from its founding until all the schools of philosophy were ordered closed... For other uses, see Philosophy (disambiguation). ...

His tenure was marked by wars in Asia against a revitalized Parthian Empire, and with Germanic tribes along the Limes Germanicus into Gaul and across the Danube. A revolt in the East, led by Avidius Cassius, failed. For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... Parthian Empire at its greatest extent, c60 BCE. The Parthian Empire was the dominating force on the Iranian plateau beginning in the late 3rd century BCE, and intermittently controlled Mesopotamia between ca 190 BCE and 224 CE. Parthia was the arch-enemy of the Roman Empire in the east and... The term Germanic tribes (or Teutonic tribes) applies to the ancient Germanic peoples of Europe. ... Map of Upper Germanic Limes The Limes Germanicus (Latin for Germanic frontier) was a remarkable line of frontier (limes) forts that bounded the ancient Roman provinces of Germania Superior and Raetia, and divided the Roman Empire and the unsubdued Germanic tribes, from the years 83 to 260. ... Gaul (Latin: ) was the name given, in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... This article is about the Danube River. ... Gaius Avidius Cassius (c. ...

Marcus Aurelius' work Meditations, written on campaign between 170 and 180, is still revered as a literary monument to a government of service and duty and has been praised for its "exquisite accent and its infinite tenderness." ^[3] Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia in modern-day Hungary This article is about the writings by Marcus Aurelius. ...

Early life

Family

He was originally named Marcus Annius Catilius Severus, when he married he took the name Marcus Annius Verus.^[4][5] When he was named Emperor, he was given the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

Marcus Aurelius was the only son to Marcus Annius Verus and Domitia Lucilla. His only natural sibling was his younger sister Annia Cornificia Faustina, who was about 2 years younger than he. Domitia Lucilla came from a wealthy family who were of consular rank. Marcus Aurelius' father was of Spanish origin, and served as a praetor and died when Marcus was three years old. Marcus Aurelius credits him with teaching him "manliness without ostentation".^[6] Domitia Lucilla or Domitia Calvilla was the mother of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. ... Annia Cornificia Faustina (123 AD - 152 AD) was the younger child and an only daughter to Domitia Lucilla and praetor Marcus Annius Verus. ... Ordinary Magistrates Extraordinary Magistrates Titles and Honors Emperor Politics and Law Praetor was a title granted by the government of Ancient Rome to men acting in one of two official capacities: the commander of an army, either before it was mustered or more typically in the field, or an elected...

His father's maternal aunt was Vibia Sabina, wife of Roman Emperor Hadrian. Rupilia Faustina (Marcus Aurelius' paternal grandmother) and Vibia Sabina were half-sisters and were daughters of Salonina Matidia (niece of the Roman Emperor Trajan). His father's sister was Faustina the Elder a Roman Empress who married the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. Vibia Sabina was an Empress and wife to Emperor Hadrian. ... Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus (January 24, 76 –– July 10, 138), known as Hadrian in English, was emperor of Rome from 117 A.D. to 138 A.D., as well as a Stoic and Epicurean philosopher. ... Rupilia was the name of two Roman woman. ... This denarius celebrates Matidia Augusta. ... This article is about the Roman Emperor. ... Annia Galeria Faustina, better known as Faustina the Elder, (died c. ... Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus Pius (September 19, 86–March 7, 161) was Roman emperor from 138 to 161. ...

After his father's death, Aurelius was adopted and raised by his mother and paternal grandfather Marcus Annius Verus. His paternal grandfather died in 138; he was almost ninety years old. Marcus Annius Verus was a Roman man who lived in the first and second century. ... Events February 25 - Roman emperor Hadrian adopted Antoninus Pius on condition that Antonius would adopt Marcus Annius Aurelius Verus. ...

Heir to the Empire

Bust of Marcus Aurelius as a young boy, Capitoline Museum, Rome.

In 136, Hadrian had announced that his eventual successor would be a certain Lucius Ceionius Commodus, renamed L. Aelius Caesar. Marcus had already attracted the attention of Hadrian (who had nicknamed him verissimus, which translates as "truest") and had been made a member of the equestrian order when he was six;^[7] he was subsequently engaged to Ceionia Fabia, Commodus' daughter. The engagement, however, was annulled later after the death of Commodus, as Marcus was betrothed to Antoninus' daughter. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 448 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1875 × 2510 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 448 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1875 × 2510 pixel, file size: 2. ... Capitoline Museum?? Hum is it about capital cities?? The capital city of Rome is. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... Lucius Aelius as Caesar. ...

Therefore, on the death of Hadrian's first adopted son L. Aelius Verus, Hadrian made it a precondition of making Antoninus his successor that Antoninus would adopt Marcus (then called Marcus Aelius Aurelius Verus) and Lucius Ceionius Commodus (Lucius Aelius' son, ten years junior than Marcus, renamed Lucius Aurelius Verus), and arrange for them to be next in the line. Lucius Aelius as Caesar. ...

This Antoninus did, adopting and designating them as his successors on February 25, 138, when Marcus was only seventeen years of age. He would become emperor at 40. It has been suggested that Commodus and Antoninus Pius were designed by Hadrian only as "place warmers" for the young Marcus and Verus. is the 56th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events February 25 - Roman emperor Hadrian adopted Antoninus Pius on condition that Antonius would adopt Marcus Annius Aurelius Verus. ...

The years of Marcus' life during the reign of Antoninus are known through his correspondence with one of the teachers assigned him by Hadrian, Fronto, a relevant figure in the culture of the time. Through these letters Marcus appears as an intelligent, serious-minded and hardworking youth. They also show the growing importance of philosophy for the future emperor: showing impatience for the unending exercises with Greek and Latin declamations, he later became fond of the Diatribai ("Discourses") of Epictetus, an important moral philosopher of the Stoic school. Marcus also started to have an increasing public role at the side of Antoninus, holding the place of consul in 140, 145 and 161 and increasing collaboration in decisions. In 147 he received the proconsular imperium outside Rome and the tribunicia potestas, the main formal powers of emperorship. In 145, Marcus married Annia Galeria Faustina or Faustina the Younger, who was Antoninus' daughter and his paternal cousin. Marcus Cornelius Fronto (c. ... Epictetus (Greek: Επίκτητος; ca. ... Imperium can, in a broad sense, be translated as power. ... Ordinary Magistrates Extraordinary Magistrates Titles and Honors Emperor Politics and Law Tribune (from the Latin: tribunus; Greek form tribounos) was a title shared by 2-3 elected magistracies and other governmental and/or (para)military offices of the Roman Republic and Empire. ... Faustina the Younger Annia Galeria Faustina, the Younger, (c. ...

Emperor

Joint emperorship

Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius on Capitoline Hill.

When Antoninus Pius died (March 7, 161), Marcus accepted the throne on the condition that he and Verus were made joint emperors (Augusti). Though formally equal from the constitutional point of view, Verus, younger and probably less popular, looks to have been subordinate in practice.^[8] Download high resolution version (960x1280, 259 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (960x1280, 259 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The replica of the statue on Capitoline Hill. ... The Capitoline Hill (Capitolinus Mons), between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the most famous and smallest of the seven hills of Rome. ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events March 7 - Roman emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. ... Augustus (plural augusti) is Latin for majestic, the increaser, or venerable. The feminine form is Augusta. ...

Marcus' insistence to have Verus elected with him was motivated by his loyalty towards the will of their adoptive father. The joint succession may have also been motivated by military experiences, since, during his reign, Marcus Aurelius was almost constantly at war with various peoples outside the empire. A highly authoritative figure was needed to command the troops, yet the emperor himself could not defend both the German and Parthian fronts at the same time. Neither could he simply appoint a general to lead the legions; earlier popular military leaders like Julius Caesar and Vespasian had used the military to overthrow the existing government and install themselves as supreme leaders. Marcus Aurelius solved the problem by sending Verus to command the legions in the east. Verus was authoritative enough to command the full loyalty of the troops, but already powerful enough that he had little incentive to overthrow Marcus. Verus remained loyal until his death on campaign in 169. Legion redirects here. ... For other uses, see Julius Caesar (disambiguation). ... Imperator Caesar Vespasianus Augustus (born November 17, 9, died June 23, 79), known originally as Titus Flavius Vespasianus and usually referred to in English as Vespasian, was emperor of Rome from 69 to 79. ... Second Marcomanni War begins. ...

This joint emperorship was faintly reminiscent of the political system of the Roman Republic, which functioned according to the principle of collegiality and did not allow a single person to hold supreme power. Joint rule was revived by Diocletian's establishment of the Tetrarchy in the late 3rd century. This article is about the state which existed from the 6th century BC to the 1st century BC. For the state which existed in the 18th century, see Roman Republic (18th century). ... Collegiality is the relationship between colleagues. ... Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus (c. ... The Tetrarchs, a porphyry sculpture sacked from a Byzantine palace in 1204, Treasury of St. ... // Overview Events 212: Constitutio Antoniniana grants citizenship to all free Roman men 212-216: Baths of Caracalla 230-232: Sassanid dynasty of Persia launches a war to reconquer lost lands in the Roman east 235-284: Crisis of the Third Century shakes Roman Empire 250-538: Kofun era, the first...

Immediately at the beginning of his reign, Marcus continued on the path of his predecessors by issuing numerous law reforms, mainly to clear away abuses and anomalies in the civil jurisprudence. In particular he promoted favourable measures towards categories like slaves, widows and minors; recognition to blood relationships in the field of succession was given. In the criminal law a distinction of class, with different punishments, was made between honestiores and humiliores ("The more distinguished" and "the more lowly", respectively).

Under Marcus' reign, the status of Christians remained the same since the time of Trajan. They were legally punishable, though in fact rarely persecuted. In 177 a group of Christians were executed at Lyon, for example, but the act is mainly attributable to the initiative of the local governor. This article is about the French city. ...

Challenges Faced

War with Parthia

Marcus Aurelius Arch in Tripoli, built to commemorate the emperor.

In Asia, a revitalized Parthian Empire renewed its assault in 161, defeating two Roman armies and invading Armenia and Syria. Marcus Aurelius sent his joint emperor Verus to command the legions in the east to face this threat. The war ended successfully in 166, although the merit must be mostly ascribed to subordinate generals like Gaius Avidius Cassius. On the return from the campaign, Verus was awarded with a triumph; the parade was unusual because it included the two emperors, their sons and unmarried daughters as a big family celebration. Marcus Aurelius' two sons, Commodus five years old and Annius Verus of three, were elevated to the status of Caesar for the occasion. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 1043 KB) Summary Arch of Marcus Aurelius in Tripoli Lybia Author: Duimdog Source: http://flickr. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x1200, 1043 KB) Summary Arch of Marcus Aurelius in Tripoli Lybia Author: Duimdog Source: http://flickr. ... Tripoli (Arabic: طرابلس Tarābulus) is the capital city of Libya. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... Parthia at its greatest extent under Mithridates II (123–88 BC) Capital Ctesiphon, Ecbatana Government Monarchy [[Category:Former monarchies}}|Parthia, 247 BC]] History  - Established 247 BC  - Disestablished 220 AD Parthian votive relief. ... Events March 7 - Roman emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. ... Gaius Avidius Cassius (ca. ... A Roman Triumph was a civil ceremony and religious rite of ancient Rome, held to publicly honour the military commander (dux) of a notably successful foreign war or campaign and to display the glories of Roman victory. ... Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (August 31, 161 – December 31, 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192. ...

The returning army carried with them a plague, afterwards known as the Antonine Plague, or the Plague of Galen, which spread through the Roman Empire between 165 and 180. The disease was a pandemic believed to be either of smallpox or measles, and would ultimately claim the lives of two Roman emperors—Lucius Verus, who died in 169, and Marcus Aurelius, whose family name, Antoninus, was given to the epidemic. The disease broke out again nine years later, according to the Roman historian Dio Cassius, and caused up to 2,000 deaths a day at Rome, one quarter of those infected. Total deaths have been estimated at five million. The Antonine Plague, 165-180 C.E., also known as the Plague of Galen, was an ancient pandemic, either of smallpox or measles brought back to the Roman Empire by troops returning from campaigns in the Near East. ... For other uses, see Galen (disambiguation). ... Events Roman operations under Avidius Cassius was successful against Parthia, capturing Artaxata, Seleucia, and Ctesiphon. ... For other uses, see number 180. ... A pandemic (from Greek παν pan all + δήμος demos people) is an epidemic that spreads through human populations across a large region (for example a continent), or even worldwide. ... Smallpox (also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera) is a contagious disease unique to humans. ... This is a list of Roman Emperors with the dates they controlled the Roman Empire. ... Lucius Ceionius Commodus Verus Armeniacus (December 15, 130 – 169), known simply as Lucius Verus, was Roman co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius (161–180), from 161 until his death. ... Dio Cassius Cocceianus (c. ...

Germania and the Danube

Main article: Marcomannic Wars

Bust of Marcus Aurelius, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Starting from the 160s, Germanic tribes and other nomadic people launched raids along the Northern border, particularly into Gaul and across the Danube. This new impetus westwards was probably due to attacks from tribes farther east. A first invasion of the Chatti in the province of Germania Superior was repulsed in 162. Far more dangerous was the invasion of 166, when the Marcomanni of Bohemia, clients of the Roman Empire since 19, crossed the Danube together with the Lombards and other German tribes. At the same time, the Iranian Sarmatians attacked between the Danube and the Theiss rivers. Combatants Roman Empire Marcomanni, Quadi, other Germanic peoples along the Danube Commanders Marcus Aurelius The Marcomannic Wars were a series of wars lasting over thirty years during the reign of Marcus Aurelius from about AD 166 until 180, which pitted the Roman Empire against the Marcomanni, Quadi and other Germanic... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 485 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (561 × 694 pixel, file size: 605 KB, MIME type: image/png) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 485 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (561 × 694 pixel, file size: 605 KB, MIME type: image/png) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Metropolitan Museum of Art New York Elevation The Metropolitan Museum of Art, often referred to simply as the Met, is one of the worlds largest and most important art museums. ... This article is about the state. ... The term Germanic tribes (or Teutonic tribes) applies to the ancient Germanic peoples of Europe. ... Map of Upper Germanic Limes The Limes Germanicus (Latin for Germanic frontier) was a remarkable line of frontier (limes) forts that bounded the ancient Roman provinces of Germania Superior and Raetia, and divided the Roman Empire and the unsubdued Germanic tribes, from the years 83 to 260. ... Gaul (Latin: ) was the name given, in ancient times, to the region of Western Europe comprising present-day northern Italy, France, Belgium, western Switzerland and the parts of the Netherlands and Germany on the west bank of the Rhine river. ... This article is about the Danube River. ... The Chatti (also Catti) were an ancient Germanic tribe settled in central and northern Hesse and southern Lower Saxony, along the upper reaches of the Weser river and in the valleys and mountains of the Eder, Fulda and Werra river regions, a district approximately corresponding to Hesse-Cassel, though probably... Categories: Historical stubs | Ancient Roman provinces | German history | Germany | History of the Germanic peoples ... The Marcomanni were a Germanic tribe, probably related to the Suebi or Suevi. ... For other uses, see number 19. ... The Lombards (Latin Langobardi, whence comes the alternative name Longobards found in older English texts), were a Germanic people originally from Northern Europe that entered the late Roman Empire. ... Sarmatia Europea in Scythia map 1697 AD Sarmatia Europæa separated from Sarmatia Asiatica by the Tanais (the River Don), based on Greek literary sources, in a map printed in London, ca 1770 Great steppe in early spring. ... The river Theiss in Hungary The costume designer William Ware Theiss Categories: Disambiguation ...

Due to the situation in the East, only a punitive expedition could be launched in 167. Both Marcus and Verus led the troops. After the death of Verus (169), Marcus led personally the struggle against the Germans for the great part of his remaining life. The Romans suffered at least two serious defeats by the Quadi and Marcomanni, who could cross the Alps, ravage Opitergium (Oderzo) and besiege Aquileia, the Roman main city of north-east Italy. At the same time the Costoboci, coming from the Carpathian area, invaded Moesia, Macedonia and Greece. After a long struggle, Marcus Aurelius managed to push back the invaders. Numerous Germans settled in frontier regions like Dacia, Pannonia, Germany and Italy itself. This was not a new thing, but this time the numbers of settlers required the creation of two new frontier provinces on the left shore of the Danube, Sarmatia and Marcomannia, including today's Bohemia and Hungary. The Quadi were a smaller Germanic tribe, about which little definitive information is known. ... Oderzo is a town in the province of Treviso, Veneto, Italy. ... Aquileia (Friulian Aquilee, Slovene Oglej) is an ancient Roman town of Italy, at the head of the Adriatic at the edge of the lagoons, about 10 km from the sea, on the river Natiso (modern Natisone), the course of which has changed somewhat since Roman times. ... The Costoboci were a Dacian tribe, which lived in the areas known today as Maramures and southern Ukraine. ... Satellite image of the Carpathians. ... Moesia (Greek: , Moisia; Bulgarian: Мизия, Miziya; Serbian: Мезија, Mezija) is an ancient province situated in the areas of modern Serbia and Bulgaria. ... For other uses, see Dacia (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Pannonia (disambiguation). ...

The emperor's plans were, however, prevented by a revolt in East, led by Avidius Cassius, which was prompted by false news of the death of Marcus after an illness. Of the eastern provinces, only Cappadocia and Bithynia did not side with the rebels. When it became clear that Marcus Aurelius was still alive, Cassius' fortunes declined quickly and he was killed by his troops after only 100 days of power. For other uses, see Cappadocia (disambiguation). ... Bithynia was an ancient region, kingdom and Roman province in the northwest of Asia Minor, adjoining the Propontis, the Thracian Bosporus and the Euxine (today Black Sea). ...

Together with his wife Faustina, Marcus Aurelius toured the eastern provinces until 173. He visited Athens, declaring himself a protector of philosophy. After a triumph in Rome, the following year he marched again to the Danubian frontier. After a decisive victory in 178, the plan to annex Bohemia seemed poised for success but was abandoned after Marcus Aurelius again fell ill with chickenpox in 180.

Death and succession

Marcus Aurelius died on March 17, 180, in the city of Vindobona (modern Vienna), his son and successor Commodus accompanying him. He was immediately deified and his ashes were returned to Rome, and rested in Hadrian's mausoleum (modern Castel Sant'Angelo) until the Visigoth sack of the city in 410. His campaigns against Germans and Sarmatians were also commemorated by a column in Rome. is the 76th day of the year (77th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see number 180. ... For other uses, see Vienna (disambiguation). ... Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (August 31, 161 – December 31, 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ... Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus (January 24, 76 –– July 10, 138), known as Hadrian in English, was emperor of Rome from 117 A.D. to 138 A.D., as well as a Stoic and Epicurean philosopher. ... St. ... For the town with the same name, see Castel SantAngelo (RI) Castel SantAngelo from the bridge. ... The Column of Marcus Aurelius in Piazza Colonna Detail from the column. ... For other uses, see Rome (disambiguation). ...

Marcus Aurelius was able to secure the succession for Commodus, whom he had named Caesar in 166 and made co-emperor in 177, though the choice may have been unknowingly unfortunate. This decision, which put an end to the fortunate series of "adoptive emperors", was highly criticized by later historians since Commodus was a political and military outsider, as well as an extreme egotist with neurotic problems. For this reason, Marcus Aurelius' death is often held to have been the end of the Pax Romana. It is possible that he chose Commodus simply in the absence of other candidates, or as a result of the fear of succession issues and the possibility of civil war.
Events A systematic persecution of Christians begins in Rome under Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. ... Roman Empire at its greatest extent with the conquests of Trajan Pax Romana, Latin for the Roman peace (sometimes Pax Augusta), was the long period of relative peace and minimal expansion by military force experienced by the Roman Empire between 27 BC and 180 AD. Augustus Caesar led Rome into...

Marriage and issue

Bust of Faustina the Younger, Louvre, Paris.

Aurelius married Faustina the Younger in 145. During their 30-year marriage Faustina bore 13 children, only one son and four daughters of which outlived their father: Image File history File links Size of this preview: 394 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1324 × 2016 pixel, file size: 645 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Faustine la Jeune(130-175) Marbre 50 cm vers 180-190 ap. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 394 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1324 × 2016 pixel, file size: 645 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Faustine la Jeune(130-175) Marbre 50 cm vers 180-190 ap. ... This article is about the museum. ... This article is about the capital of France. ... Faustina the Younger Annia Galeria Faustina, the Younger, (c. ... For other uses, see number 145. ...

• Annia Aurelia Galeria Faustina (147 – after 165)
• Gemellus Lucillae (died around 150) and his younger twin sister Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla (148/50–182), married her father's co-ruler Lucius Verus
• Titus Aelius Antoninus (born after 150 – died before 7 March 161)
• Titus Aelius Aurelius (born after 150 – died before 7 March 161)
• Hadrianus (born 152 – died before 7 March 161)
• Domitia Faustina (born after 150 – died before 7 March 161)
• Fadilla (born 159 – died after 192)
• Annia Cornificia Faustina Minor (born 160 – died during the reign of Emperor Caracalla reigned 211–217)
• Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus (161–165) and his twin brother Commodus, later emperor (161–192)
• Marcus Annius Verus Caesar (162–169)
• Vibia Aurelia Sabina (170 – died before 217)

Annia Aurelia Galeria Faustina (147-after 165), was a daughter and eldest child to Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Roman Empress Faustina the Younger. ... Events First year of Jianhe of the Chinese Han Dynasty Births Deaths Categories: 147 ... Events Roman operations under Avidius Cassius was successful against Parthia, capturing Artaxata, Seleucia, and Ctesiphon. ... The Roman army consists of 400,000 men. ... Denarius of Lucilla. ... Events Change of Patriarch of Constantinople from Patriarch Athendodorus to Patriarch Euzois An Shih Kao arrives in China. ... Events Commodus exiles his sister Lucilla to Capreae Births Origen, Christian theologian (approximate date) Sun Quan, founder of the Wu Kingdom in China Deaths Categories: 182 ... Lucius Ceionius Commodus Verus Armeniacus (December 15, 130 – 169), known simply as Lucius Verus, was Roman co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius (161–180), from 161 until his death. ... The Roman army consists of 400,000 men. ... Events March 7 - Roman emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. ... Events Roman Empire Minor uprisings in Mauretania against Roman rule End of regular Roman Army campaigns in Mauritania. ... Fadilla or Aurelia Fadilla (159-died after 192) was a daughter of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Roman Empress Faustina the Younger, a sister to Roman Empress Lucilla and Roman Emperor Commodus. ... Events Births Gordian I, Roman emperor Deaths Categories: 159 ... Commodus assassinated by a wrestler named Narcissus at the behest of Commodus concubine, chamberlain and Praetorian prefect. ... Annia Cornificia Faustina Minor or Cornificia the Younger (160-212), was a daughter of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Roman Empress Faustina the Younger and a sister to Roman Empress Lucilla and Roman Emperor Commodus. ... In Rome, the manufacturing of soap containing grease, lime and ashes begins. ... Caracalla (April 4, 186 – April 8, 217) was Roman Emperor from 211 – 217. ... This article is about the year 211. ... Events Macrinus becomes Roman Emperor on the death of Caracalla. ... Events Roman operations under Avidius Cassius was successful against Parthia, capturing Artaxata, Seleucia, and Ctesiphon. ... Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus (August 31, 161 – December 31, 192) was a Roman Emperor who ruled from 180 to 192. ... Commodus assassinated by a wrestler named Narcissus at the behest of Commodus concubine, chamberlain and Praetorian prefect. ... Marcus Annius Verus Caesar (162-10 September 169), was one of the thirteen children born to Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Roman Empress Faustina the Younger. ... Second Marcomanni War begins. ... For other uses, see number 170. ... Events Macrinus becomes Roman Emperor on the death of Caracalla. ...

Writings

Original bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius, now preserved in the Capitoline Museums, Rome.

While on campaign between 170 and 180, Aurelius wrote his Meditations as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. He had been a priest at the sacrificial altars of Roman service and was an eager patriot. He had a logical mind and his notes were representative of Stoic philosophy and spirituality. Meditations is still revered as a literary monument to a government of service and duty. It has been praised for its "exquisite accent and its infinite tenderness" and "saintliness", and has also been called the "gospel of his life." John Stuart Mill, in his Utility of Religion, compared the Meditations to the Sermon on the Mount. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (750 × 1000 pixel, file size: 324 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 450 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (750 × 1000 pixel, file size: 324 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia in modern-day Hungary This article is about the writings by Marcus Aurelius. ... Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy, founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the early third century BC. It proved to be a popular and durable philosophy, with a following throughout Greece and the Roman Empire from its founding until all the schools of philosophy were ordered closed... Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia in modern-day Hungary This article is about the writings by Marcus Aurelius. ... John Stuart Mill (20 May 1806 – 8 May 1873), British philosopher, political economist, civil servant and Member of Parliament, was an influential liberal thinker of the 19th century. ... The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch. ...

The book itself was first published in 1558 in Zurich, from a manuscript copy that is now lost. The only other surviving complete copy of the manuscript is in the Vatican library. Entrance to the museum Staircase of the Vatican Museum The Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) are the public art and sculpture museums in the Vatican City, which display works from the extensive collection of the Roman Catholic Church. ...

Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek at his base in Sirmium in modern-day Serbia and also while positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia in modern-day Hungary.

The significance of death was very important in the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. He didn't believe in the afterlife. He wrote: 'We live for an instant, only to be swallowed in "complete forgetfulness and the void of infinite time on this side of us." "Think how many ere now, after passing their life in implacable enmity, suspicion, hatred... are now dead and burnt to ashes." According to Marcus Aurelius everything will be turned in absolute oblivion, even legends. "Of the life of man the duration is but a point, its substance streaming away, its perception dim, the fabric of the entire body prone to decay, and the soul a vortex, and fortune incalculable, and fame uncertain. In a word all things of the body are as a river, and the things of the soul as a dream and a vapour; and life is a warfare and a pilgrim's sojourn, and fame after death is only forgetfulness." 'Everything existing "is already disintegrating and changing... everything is by nature made but to die." 'The length of one's life is irrelevant, "for look at the yawning gulf of time behind thee and before thee at another infinity to come. In this eternity the life of a baby of three days and the life of a Nestor of three centuries are as one." 'To desire is to be permanently disappointed and disturbed, since everything we desire in this world is "empty and corrupt and paltry." For Marcus Aurelius, death was desirable, because it would make an end to all desires.^[9] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2592 × 1944 pixel, file size: 1. ... Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia in modern-day Hungary This article is about the writings by Marcus Aurelius. ... Ruins of Sirmium Julian solidus, ca. ... Not to be confused with Republika Srpska. ... Location of the city within the Roman Empire The ancient city of Aquincum was situated on the North-Eastern borders of the Pannonia Province within the Roman Empire. ... For other uses, see Pannonia (disambiguation). ...

Despite these thoughts on life and death, Marcus Aurelius was an advocate of rational virtue. According to Jonathan Dollimore, Marcus Aurelius had a kind of indifference towards the brutalities in life. As an emperor, he persecuted Christians and went frequently on military campaigns. He justified his deeds by pointing at the insignificance of worldly affairs.^[10]

Marcus Aurelius in later arts

Literature

• John Steinbeck in East of Eden has the character Lee read often from Meditations as a sage-like character.
• A Man in Full, a 1998 novel by Tom Wolfe. One of the characters reads Marcus Aurelius while in jail and is heavily influenced by his Stoicism. It helps him deal with his suffering and the injustice of his incarceration. However, Wolfe more strongly uses Epictetus
• Mémoires d'Hadrien (1951), a fictitious but plausible autobiography (in form of a series of letters directed to his adoptive grandson "Marcus") of one of his predecessors, Hadrian, by Marguerite Yourcenar. It is one of the best-selling European novels of the 20th century.
• Household Gods, a 1999 novel by Judith Tarr and Harry Turtledove.
• John Irving in "The World According to Garp" has the character Garp reflect on a quote of Marcus Aurelius from "Meditations".

For other members of the family, see Steinbeck (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see East of Eden (disambiguation). ... Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia in modern-day Hungary This article is about the writings by Marcus Aurelius. ... A Man in Full is a novel by Tom Wolfe, published in 1998 by Farrar, Straus & Giroux. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Tom Wolfe gives a speech at the White House. ... Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy, founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the early third century BC. It proved to be a popular and durable philosophy, with a following throughout Greece and the Roman Empire from its founding until all the schools of philosophy were ordered closed... Epictetus (Greek: Επίκτητος; ca. ... Book cover Mémoires dHadrien is a novel by the French writer Marguerite Yourcenar describing the life and death of the Roman emperor Hadrian. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cover of the first English edition of 1793 of Benjamin Franklins autobiography. ... Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrianus (January 24, 76 –– July 10, 138), known as Hadrian in English, was emperor of Rome from 117 A.D. to 138 A.D., as well as a Stoic and Epicurean philosopher. ... Marguerite Yourcenar was the pseudonym of French novelist Marguerite Cleenewerck de Crayencour (June 8, 1903 - December 17, 1987). ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999 in the... Household Gods is a science fiction/time-travel novel written by Harry Turtledove and Judith Tarr. ... Judith Tarr, (1955 - ) has a B.A. in Latin and English from Mount Holyoke College, an M.A. in Classics from Cambridge University, and an M.A. and Ph. ... Harry Norman Turtledove (born June 14, 1949) is an American historian and prolific novelist who has written historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction works. ... John Winslow Irving (born March 2, 1942 as John Wallace Blunt, Jr. ... Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia in modern-day Hungary This article is about the writings by Marcus Aurelius. ...

Film

• The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964), played by Alec Guinness
• Gladiator (2000), played by Richard Harris

The Fall of the Roman Empire is a 1964 epic film made by Samuel Bronston Productions and The Rank Organisation, and released by Paramount Pictures. ... // Events January 29 - The film Dr. Strangelove is released. ... Sir Alec Guinness CH, CBE (2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an Academy Award and Tony Award-winning English actor. ... Gladiator is a 2000 movie directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. ... The year 2000 in film involved some significant events. ... For other persons named Richard Harris, see Richard Harris (disambiguation). ...

See also

• Epictetus
• Stoicism
• Socrates
• Zeno

Epictetus (Greek: Επίκτητος; ca. ... Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy, founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the early third century BC. It proved to be a popular and durable philosophy, with a following throughout Greece and the Roman Empire from its founding until all the schools of philosophy were ordered closed... This page is about the Classical Greek philosopher. ... Zeno is a Greek name derived from the more ancient variant Zenon. ...

Notes

Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 219th day of the year (220th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Augustan History (Lat. ... John Stuart Mill (20 May 1806 – 8 May 1873), British philosopher, political economist, civil servant and Member of Parliament, was an influential liberal thinker of the 19th century. ... The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch. ... Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... Cassius Dio Cocceianus (ca. ...

External links

Listen to this article (info/dl)

This audio file was created from a revision dated 2008-03-20, and may not reflect subsequent edits to the article. (Audio help)

More spoken articles

Greek Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Marcus Aurelius

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Marcus Aurelius

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Marcus Aurelius

Image File history File links Sound-icon. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 79th day of the year (80th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Wikisource-logo. ... The original Wikisource logo. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Wikiquote is one of a family of wiki-based projects run by the Wikimedia Foundation, running on MediaWiki software. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ...

Primary sources

• Cassius Dio, Roman History. See original text on LacusCurtius.
• Marcus Aurelius, Meditations.
• Scriptores Historiae Augustae, Augustan History. See original text on LacusCurtius.
• Works by Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius at Project Gutenberg
• Online Greek Text of the Meditations
• English Translation by George Long (1862)
• Latin Version by J. M. Schulz (1802)
• Henry Dwight Sedgwick, Life of Marcus Aurelius, Yale University Press, 1922.

Cassius Dio Cocceianus (ca. ... Marcus Aurelius wrote Meditations in Greek while positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia in modern-day Hungary This article is about the writings by Marcus Aurelius. ... The Augustan History (Lat. ... Project Gutenberg, abbreviated as PG, is a volunteer effort to digitize, archive and distribute cultural works. ...

Secondary material

• Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry
• Marcus Aurelius entry at De Imperatoribus Romanis
• Marcus Aurelius entry at livius.org
• A Man in Full: The Teachings of Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus A discussion and comparison of Meditations and its influence on Tom Wolfe and modern culture.
• Marcus Aurelius: The Philosopher-Emperor of Rome — Essay looking at Marcus Aurelius from the perspective of his leadership.
• Filmed academic lectures on Marcus Aurelius