Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor from 161 until Verus' death in 169. He was the last of the "Five Good Emperors", and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers.
Marcus Aurelius' work Meditations, written in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180, is still revered as a literary monument to a philosophy of service and duty, describing how to find and preserve equanimity in the midst of conflict by following nature as a source of guidance and inspiration. The meditations serve as an example of how Aurelius approached the Platonic ideal of a philosopher-king and how he symbolized much of what was best about Roman civilization.
Some quotes from Meditations:
"Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them."
"It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live."
"The universe is change; life is your perception of it."
"If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is not right, I will happily change, for I seek the truth, by which no one ever was truly harmed. Harmed is the person who continues in his self-deception and ignorance."
Golly, how I admire this emperor. I feel I have heard his name before, bantered about on the subject of found Roman coins.
ReplyDeleteI like his writings and some of his ideas could translate well for us today. Thanks for this, really intriguing!!!!
Sue xx