Marcus Aurelius: Life Story, Bio and Facts
Who is Marcus Aurelius?
Marcus Aurelius (born April 26, 121 AD; died March 17, 180 AD) was a Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher. He was born into a Roman equestrian family and was educated in rhetoric and philosophy. He served as a consul and a governor before becoming emperor in 161 AD.
During his reign, Marcus Aurelius faced several challenges, including invasions by Germanic tribes and a series of plagues that decimated the population. Despite these difficulties, he is remembered for his efforts to maintain the stability and integrity of the Roman Empire, as well as for his personal philosophy and writings.
One of his most famous works is "Meditations," which is a series of personal writings in which he reflects on his own thoughts and beliefs. The book is considered a masterpiece of Stoic philosophy and is still widely read today.
What is Your Elevation Level?
As a philosopher emperor, Marcus Aurelius believed that the best way to live was to focus on virtue and duty, rather than pleasure and personal gain. He was also a proponent of stoicism which is a philosophy that emphasizes the development of self-control and resilience in the face of adversity. He believed that the key to a good life was to live in accordance with nature, and to develop wisdom and inner strength through self-reflection and contemplation.
Marcus Aurelius died in 180 AD, and his ashes were placed in the Mausoleum of Hadrian in Rome. He is remembered as one of the "Five Good Emperors" of Rome, and his legacy continues to be celebrated to this day.
Marcus Aurelius Fast Facts
* Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a Stoic philosopher. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy.
* He is best known for his book "Meditations," which is a series of personal writings in which he reflects on his own beliefs and philosophy.
* Marcus Aurelius was born in Rome in 121 AD and was adopted by the Emperor Antoninus Pius, who made him his heir.
* He became emperor in 161 AD and ruled jointly with Lucius Verus until Verus' death in 169 AD.
* Marcus Aurelius is known for his military campaigns against the Germanic tribes and the Parthian Empire, which he conducted while also dealing with internal conflicts and plagues.
* He is considered one of the Five Good Emperors and was known for his wisdom, fairness, and concern for the welfare of his people.
* He was a student of Stoic philosophy, which teaches that individuals should focus on what they can control and accept what they cannot control.
* "Meditations" is considered one of the greatest works of philosophy in the Western tradition and continues to be widely read and studied today.
* Marcus Aurelius died in 180 AD while on campaign in Vindobona (modern Vienna, Austria)
* He was deified by the Roman Senate after his death and his ashes were placed in Hadrian's mausoleum (now the Castel Sant'Angelo) in Rome.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
