Marcus Aurelius was known for being one of the greatest emperors of the Roman Empire, but he was not just an emperor. He was also known for being a very influential philosopher whose ideas are still relevant today. Marcus was not a teacher of philosophy like those of Plato and Aristotle he wrote meditations that were meant for himself not too be told to the masses. The book “Meditation” was his personal journal that he wrote in everyday just to help him keep his composure and be a good ruler. Marcus was one of the few rulers in the ancient world who had a strong focus on not becoming drunk by their power and abusing it over their people.
But to understand Marcus Aurelius you have to know how his life progressed into becoming the emperor. Marcus grew up in the political field from a very early age after being taken in by a prior emperor Hadrian after impressing him. Hadrian adopted Titus Aurelius to be his successor and arranged to had Marcus be adopted under him. At the young age of 17 Marcus began
working and learning with Titus who would later be known as Pius Antonius in the political field. Through many years Marcus built a name for himself in the Roman political system. He eventually worked his way up to being a consul in the Roman Senate which gave him a lot of authority.
With Marcus growing up being liked and admired by the emperor it was almost destined for him to eventually become the emperor as well. Marcus grew up in the period of the five good emperors and was the last of them. There was a period in the Roman Empire where there were five continuous emperors who were deemed “good” and did not abuse their power. The emperors Marcus being the fifth were credited with bringing relative peace, stability, and growth to the Roman Empire. During this time period the Empire saw massive expansion of their territories not just gained through violence.
Marcus though did not get a death that he deserved by being such an admired ruler as well as the influential philosopher he was his death was not suited. Marcus was not killed in battle but was murdered by his own soldiers. Marcus was known for having a multitude of health-related issues through his life and towards the end of his rule became deathly ill. Eventually when going into the European region Marcus’s own soldiers betrayed and killed him. After that the Roman Empire started to decline with it now being seen that treason and murder of your leaders was acceptable.
Marcus Aurelius’ time as emperor prior to his death was no cake walk he dealt with what historians basically called twenty years of hell. During Marcus’s rule he faced complications with plagues sweeping the Empire as well as fiscal crisis. The disease that spread was thought to have been a break off of the smallpox virus. This stemmed from like any disease has the ability to spread but Rome was not the cleanest place in the world. That was part of the reason the Empire fell due to poor hygiene and disposing of feces in the streets. Not only were diseases a problem but Marcus was constantly having to deploy troops north to deal with constant Germanic invasions. They were invading the northern parts of Italy but luckily due to his cunning they repelled the invaders and did not lose and territory.
Now as you can see Marcus Aurelius was what some might call a top tier leader, but he was also the same in the field of philosophy. He was not a self-proclaimed philosopher he merely had a book he wrote for himself to keep himself in line during his rule. His book “Meditations” was like a philosophical bible to that would help keep Marcus in line with what was important. Marcus was one to focus on finding purpose in life and living every moment to the fullest. He mentioned finding what you were passionate about and sticking with it so one day you don’t look back with regrets on things you didn’t do.
Marcus Aurelius’ stoic beliefs and his “Meditations” book have remained influential up into modern day society. The ideas he wrote about appreciating life and finding meaning can be very important into our lives today. Today our lives can be extremely hectic and busy, so it is a good thing to remember to step back and find what is truly important and worth our time. As well as living our days like it is our last meaning live every moment like that is what everyone will remember you by. Thanks to Marcus Aurelius these few meditations can help give someone some perspective and insight into their lives.
"Mark" (as WJ called him) was wise indeed, and an inspiration. "When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love… Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them."
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