MEDITATIONS MARCO AURELIO

Meditations
Aurelius, Marcus

Published: 180
Categorie(s): Non-Fiction, Human Science, Philosophy
Source: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2680

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About Aurelius:
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 importantStoic
philosophers.
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INTRODUCTION
MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS was born on April 26, A.D.
121. His real name was M. Annius Verus, and he was sprung of
a noble family which claimed descent from Numa, second King
of Rome. Thus the most religious of emperorscame of the
blood of the most pious of early kings. His father, Annius Verus, had held high office in Rome, and his grandfather, of the
same name, had been thrice Consul. Both his parents died
young, but Marcus held them in loving remembrance. On his
father's death Marcus was adopted by his grandfather, the consular Annius Verus, and there was deep love between these
two. On the very first pageof his book Marcus gratefully declares how of his grandfather he had learned to be gentle and
meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. The Emperor
Hadrian divined the fine character of the lad, whom he used to
call not Verus but Verissimus, more Truthful than his own
name. He advanced Marcus to equestrian rank when six years
of age, and at the age of eight made him a member of the ancientSalian priesthood. The boy's aunt, Annia Galeria
Faustina, was married to Antoninus Pius, afterwards emperor.
Hence it came about that Antoninus, having no son, adopted
Marcus, changing his name to that which he is known by, and
betrothed him to his daughter Faustina. His education was
conducted with all care. The ablest teachers were engaged for
him, and he was trained in the strict doctrine ofthe Stoic philosophy, which was his great delight. He was taught to dress
plainly and to live simply, to avoid all softness and luxury. His
body was trained to hardihood by wrestling, hunting, and outdoor games; and though his constitution was weak, he showed
great personal courage to encounter the fiercest boars. At the
same time he was kept from the extravagancies of his day. The
greatexcitement in Rome was the strife of the Factions, as
they were called, in the circus. The racing drivers used to adopt one of four colours—red, blue, white, or green—and their
partisans showed an eagerness in supporting them which nothing could surpass. Riot and corruption went in the train of the
racing chariots; and from all these things Marcus held severely
aloof.

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In 140 Marcus was raised tothe consulship, and in 145 his
betrothal was consummated by marriage. Two years later
Faustina brought him a daughter; and soon after the tribunate
and other imperial honours were conferred upon him.
Antoninus Pius died in 161, and Marcus assumed the imperial state. He at once associated with himself L. Ceionius Commodus, whom Antoninus had adopted as a younger son at the
same time with Marcus,giving him the name of Lucius Aurelius Verus. Henceforth the two are colleagues in the empire, the
junior being trained as it were to succeed. No sooner was Marcus settled upon the throne than wars broke out on all sides. In
the east, Vologeses III. of Parthia began a long-meditated revolt by destroying a whole Roman Legion and invading Syria
(162). Verus was sent off in hot haste to quell thisrising; and
he fulfilled his trust by plunging into drunkenness and debauchery, while the war was left to his officers. Soon after
Marcus had to face a more serious danger at home in the coalition of several powerful tribes on the northern frontier. Chief
among those were the Marcomanni or Marchmen, the Quadi
(mentioned in this book), the Sarmatians, the Catti, the
Jazyges. In Rome itself there was...