Marcus Annius Catilius Severus, who went down in history under the name Marcus Aurelius, was the son of Annius Verus and Domitia Lucilla.

In 139, after the death of his father, he was adopted by Emperor Antoninus Pius and became known as Marcus Elius Aurelius Verus Caesar. Marcus Aurelius received an excellent education. Diognet introduced him to philosophy and taught him painting. On the advice of the same teacher, the future emperor, under the influence of the philosophical views he had acquired, began to sleep on bare boards, covering himself with animal skin.

During Adrian’s lifetime, Mark, despite his young age, was nominated to be a quaestor, and six months after Adrian’s death he assumed the position of quaestor (December 5, 138) and began to engage in administrative activities.

That same year he was engaged to Faustina, daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius, Hadrian's successor to the throne.

He was appointed by Pius as consul for the next year 140 and declared Caesar. In 140, Mark became consul for the first time. In 145 - a second time, together with Pius.

At the age of 25, Mark switched to philosophy. Marcus's main mentor in philosophy was Quintus Junius Rusticus. There is information about other philosophers summoned to Rome for Mark. Mark’s leader in the study of civil law was the famous legal adviser L. Volusius Metianus.

Antoninus Pius introduced Marcus Aurelius to government in 146, giving him the power of a people's tribune. On January 1, 161, Mark entered into his third consulate together with his adopted brother. In March of the same year, Emperor Antoninus Pius died and the joint reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus began, lasting until January 169.

Marcus Aurelius learned a lot from his adoptive father Antoninus Pius. Like him, Marcus strongly emphasized his respect for the Senate as an institution and for the senators as members of this institution.

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Mark paid great attention to legal proceedings. The general direction of his activity in the field of law: “he did not so much introduce innovations as restore ancient law.” In Athens, he established four departments of philosophy - for each of the philosophical movements dominant in his time - academic, peripatetic, stoic, epicurean. Professors were assigned state support.

Not having a militant character, Mark had to participate in hostilities many times.

The Parthians invaded Roman territory immediately after the death of Antoninus Pius and defeated the Romans in two battles. The Roman Empire made peace with Parthia in 166. That same year, Germanic tribes invaded Roman possessions on the Danube. The co-emperors set out on a campaign against the barbarians. The war with the Germans and Sarmatians had not yet ended when unrest began in Northern Egypt (172).

In 178, Marcus Aurelius led a campaign against the Germans, and he achieved great success, but the Roman troops were overtaken by a plague epidemic. On March 17, 180, Marcus Aurelius died of the plague at Vindobona on the Danube (modern Vienna). After his death, Mark was officially deified. The time of his reign is considered a golden age in the ancient historical tradition. Mark is called the philosopher on the throne. He professed the principles of stoicism, and the main thing in his notes was ethical teaching, an assessment of life from the philosophical and moral side and advice on how to approach it.

He left philosophical notes - 12 “books” written in Greek, which are usually given the general title “Discourses about Oneself.” At the center of his anti-materialistic teaching is a person’s partial possession of his body, soul and spirit, the bearer of which is a pious, courageous and reason-guided personality - a mistress (though only over the spirit), a teacher of the sense of duty and the abode of a searching conscience. Through the spirit, all people participate in the divine and thereby create an ideological community that overcomes all limitations. Marcus Aurelius tragically combined courage and disappointment.

Marcus Aurelius
reit 23.02.2007 03:31:15

Marcus Aurelius is called the great emperor of Rome, who ended the “golden age” of the ancient empire (this period dates chronologically from 96-180 AD). After the ruler died, the ancient state gradually began to fade, the power and greatness of which kept half the world in obedience.

The works and quotes of the emperor that have survived to this day are considered classics of Roman philosophy. Many of the sayings of Marcus Aurelius have received a “second life” in the 21st century, having been included in anthologies of textbooks and works on philosophy.

Family and early years of life

The future Emperor of Rome was born in 121 into the family of Domitia Lucilla and Annius Verus, who was a representative of the ancient Italian family of Annius Verus. Many of the members of this clan considered themselves direct descendants of King Numa Pompilius (715-633/633 BC). The clan was recognized as patrician only many, many centuries later, when Emperor Vespasian ascended the throne. This happened in 79 AD. Under him, the list of patricians of Rome was updated by including many noble families, including the Anniev Verov.

At birth, the boy received a family name - Mark Annius Verus. His own father died shortly after Mark was born, and the child was adopted by Publius Catilius Severus, which is why the boy’s name was changed to Mark Annius Catilius Severus.

The child's family was noble and was constantly at the imperial court. Therefore, it is not surprising that the ruler of Rome himself, Adrian, drew attention to Mark. It was he who noted the baby’s unusual abilities and his thirst for knowledge and science. The emperor ordered the boy to be sent to school, where the best teachers of that time taught. Thus, Adrian paid his debt to the memory of Publius Catilius Severus, who died in 139. After this, two outstanding people of ancient Rome took up his upbringing - the emperor and the boy’s grandfather, Annius Verus. Having discussed the future fate of his grandson with the ruler of the empire, the grandfather chose a new adoptive father for the child. This was Antonin Pius, who soon became the ruler of Rome. His wife was the sister of Mark’s own father. The choice of his adoptive father was not accidental - both Adrian, his grandfather, and Antoninus Pius prepared the boy to soon take up a government position. In ancient Rome, this could only be done with knowledge and power. The latter was transmitted exclusively by inheritance from father to son. Roman legislation allowed citizens to make not only their own sons, but also adopted sons as their heirs. Therefore, statesmen often chose a worthy successor, adopted him and trained him accordingly, in order to later make him the heir to his fortune and position. This is exactly what happened to young Marcus Aurelius.

At the age of 6, Adrian decided to give Mark the title of horseman, at the same time changing his name to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Verus. In order to test the boy's abilities, the emperor gave the child many tasks every day, which he always completed.

At the age of eight, Mark was included in a special college of priests - the Salii, who served Mars. When the pupil of the emperor and Antoninus Pius reached the age of 16, he was appointed to the position of organizer and manager of Latin holidays, feasts and events, at which Emperor Hadrian was invariably present. Already at such a young age, Mark showed those qualities that would later make him a truly great emperor: love of truth, honesty and justice. Therefore, his surname - “Ver” - was slightly changed by friends and teachers to “Verissimus”, which translated from Latin meant “most just”.

Growing up and government work

A huge influence on the formation of the character of Marcus Aurelius was had by his relationship with Antoninus Pius, whom the young man called his teacher, mentor and father. In his works, the future emperor repeatedly noted that his adoptive father taught him how to lead the life of an ordinary person. Thanks to Pius, Mark was responsible for his duties, the activities of the ruler and public service.

Mark's education in his youth took place at the emperor's palace, where his teachers were famous philosophers of that time. In particular, Apollonius from Chalcedon, a supporter of the Stoic movement, and Junius Rusticus, a follower of the ideas of Plato. This environment made Mark an adherent of Stoic philosophy. Under the influence of his brilliant teachers, the future emperor chose the motto of his entire subsequent life: “Teach not with words, but with your own example.”

The boy paid special attention to classes in civil law, which were taught to him by Lucius Volusius Metianus (an outstanding lawyer of that time). The young man grew up committed to justice, patience, and hard work. He did not like pomp and luxury, believing that even without them he could serve his native state well. The young man considered his idols to be the great Roman rulers - Nerva and Trajan, as well as Hadrian. Marcus Aurelius also sacredly revered ancient Roman rituals and traditions.

Already at a young age, those around Mark became famous for his extraordinary oratorical abilities. Those around him listened to him with bated breath and believing every word. He also differed from young men of his age and position in that his words had deep meaning and significance.

The government career of Marcus Aurelius began in 138. Before becoming sole emperor, he held the following positions:

• Quaestor, where he was engaged in administrative work (138);
• Consul (140, 145);
• Tribune with proconsular powers, which extended beyond Rome (147). A few years later, Anthony elevated his son-in-law to the rank of co-emperor. Not a single decision was made by Pius without the consent of Mark;
• Consul again. This time he ruled together with his adopted brother (161). At the same time, Pius announced that Mark would become his successor on the throne;
• Emperor together with his half-brother Lucius Verus (161-169).

Independent rule

In 169, Lucius Verus died, after which Marcus Aurelius was proclaimed emperor of the Roman state. But in fact all power was in his hands from 161, since the co-ruler was not distinguished by talent and did not show any interest in the internal and external problems of the country.

Evidence from that time suggests that Marcus Aurelius won the love of the population due to his wisdom and prudence in decision-making. And this despite the fact that serious problems began in the empire - the population of Parthia and Egypt rebelled, the plague spread, and wars and civil strife depleted the state treasury.

Marcus Aurelius solved most of these difficulties using his own finances and inheritance.

During his reign the following events and reforms were carried out:

• Legal proceedings have been streamlined, many ancient rights and customs have been restored;
• Many laws and decrees were published to improve the lives of the common Roman people. This responsibility for the lives of citizens and caring for them made Marcus Aurelius popular among the inhabitants of Rome;
• Institutions were created to care for the sick and those injured;
• The taxation system was improved, and the largest contributions to the treasury were made by the nobility. With the money received, special shelters were opened for the poor, needy and orphans;
• Colleges were founded;
• Four philosophical departments were created in the city of Athens. Each of the departments represented one of the main ancient philosophical movements: Stoic, Academic, Epicurean, Peripatetic. All professors working in departments received salaries from the state treasury;
• Mandatory registration of newborn children was introduced;
• A morality police was created;
• The prestige of the Senate strengthened;
• Before performances, all gladiators were now armed only with blunt swords, and for tightrope walkers special insurance was created in the form of mattresses, which were supposed to protect them in case of a fall from a height.

Since 167, Rome began to constantly encounter barbarian tribes - the Sarmatians and Germans. The fight against them was led personally by the emperor. Only by 175 was peace signed, as a result of which the ancient Germans began to settle in the territories occupied by Roman garrisons.

That same year, the population of Syria rebelled again, where the local ruler, Avilius Cassius, declared himself the new Roman ruler. It was he who spread the rumor for three months that Marcus Aurelius had died. Cassius was killed by his accomplices, after which the emperor solemnly toured the eastern provinces of the state. He began his journey in Alexandria, from there he moved to Syria, then to Cappadocia and Smyrna, and ended his journey in Greece.

From 176 until the end of his days, the co-ruler of Marcus Aurerius was his son Commodus. The last years of the life of the sovereign of Great Rome were not calm. He constantly fought with the Germans and pacified the Syrians. In 180, he and his army reached the center of modern Austria (where Vienna is now located), and died immediately.

At the same time, Marcus Aurelius was a fairly peace-loving emperor when compared with his predecessors. Of the 21 years of independent rule, he spent 14 on military campaigns, defending Rome and its citizens.

Immediately after his death, the emperor was elevated to the rank of deity, and a temple was built in his honor. In Rome, a huge (30 meters high) column decorated with bas-reliefs was installed. The images told about the exploits of the emperor, his campaigns and wars. And on Capitol Hill they erected an equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, which still stands there today.

Family and Children

Anthony Pius also controlled Mark’s personal life, so he did not allow his adopted son to marry a girl named Ceionia. Instead, he was betrothed to Pius' daughter Faustina. The young people got married in 145.

Faustina turned out to be an unfaithful wife, and began to cheat on her husband a few years after the wedding. Historians believe that this was due to the constant employment of Marcus Aurelius in government positions and on campaigns. The emperor's wife was seen in company with theater actors, sailors, tavern regulars, and gladiators. Rumors about his wife’s adventures reached Marcus Aurelius, but he did not dare to dissolve the marriage, which was blessed by his beloved adoptive father.

This behavior of Faustina did not turn her husband away from her. He continued to read poetry to her, took her on almost all trips, and loved her.

Faustina died during a campaign in one of the provinces of the empire. This loss crippled the ruler; he grieved for a long time for the “mother of the camps,” as Marcus Aurelius called his wife.

The couple had 13 children together, but only their son Commodus, who succeeded his father, and four daughters survived.

The first daughter was born in 147 and was named Annia. In honor of this event, the then Emperor Antony Pius elevated his adopted son to the rank of tribune. The girl lived until she was 165 years old.

The emperor's other children were named:

• Gemellus Lucius and Anna Aurelia Lussilla (twins), the boy died in 150, and the girl married Lucius's father's co-ruler Verus (died 182);
• Titus Aelius Antoninus, Titus Aelius Aurelius and Domitia Faustina (born after 150, died approximately 161);
• Adrianus (152-157);
• Annia Aurelia (159 - approximately 211);
• Annia Cornifia (160 - approximately 211);
• Titus Aurelius Fulvus (161-165), twin of Commodus;
• Lucius Aurelius Commodus (161-192);
• Marcus Annius (162-169);
• Vibia Aurelia Sabina (170-217).

The successor of Marcus Aurelius - his son Commodus - went down in the history of the world and Rome as a rude and ignorant ruler. His father surrounded him with philosophers and poets, teachers of ethics and morality, but this did not help. Commodus preferred the company of circus actors, gladiators, and mimes. Perhaps it was the influence of genes, since there were rumors that the mother gave birth to Commodus and his brother from one of the gladiators.

The official name of this historical character is Emperor Caesar Marcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus. But in history he is better known as Caracalla, which means an ordinary Gallic cloak with a hood, a barbaric outfit that the ruler loved to wear.. The father of the future emperor Caracalla was Lucius Septimius Severus, born in a former Phoenician colony near Carthage in 146. His family belonged to the class of horsemen and there were no eminent ancestors in it. Lucius was the first to learn the language of the rulers of the world - Latin. He went through a long and difficult path to power from a simple lawyer to an emperor.

In the year of the birth of his first-born son, Septimius Severus served as governor of Pannonia. Caracalla's mother was Julia Domna, of Phoenician origin. She gave birth to two sons, almost the same age - Lucius Septimius Bassian (the future Caracalla) in 188 and Publius Septimius Geta in 189. As a child, Bassian was a gentle and sensitive boy - he could not indifferently observe the torture of people and animals, therefore he did not like attending bloody spectacles like gladiatorial fights. He abhorred violence of any kind. But Bassian and Geta's childhood was short. In 193, their father became emperor as a result of a military coup, and wars began with Clodius Albinus in Britain and Pescennius Niger in Syria.

From the age of seven, Bassian already participated in campaigns with his father. In 196, Emperor Septimius Severus declared himself the son of the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, who had once done a lot for him, and as a sign of special gratitude, he renamed Lucius Septimius Bassianus Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. With a new name, a new fate was assigned to the son - the fate of a real leader and warrior. Along with the name Marcus Aurelius Antoninus received the title of Caesar. However, the father treated the younger Geta in exactly the same way. He did not change his name, but also made him Caesar and Augustus. He strove for his sons to amicably rule the vast empire after his death. According to his plan, they were supposed to rule together. Like loving brothers. But Antoninus and Geta hated each other. They fought over toys, over the victories and defeats of their favorite teams in sports. They were very different - Antonin became bitter by the age of ten, he became withdrawn, terribly embarrassed by his appearance: a large head, short stature and crooked legs. Geta was different - slender, cheerful, handsome, moved easily, loved dancing, but most of all he loved to dress beautifully. He spent all his money, which his parents gave him, on clothes. No one hated Geta more than his brother Antonin!

As the brothers matured, the courtiers began to take advantage of this hatred, obvious and unfeigned. They pitted Geta against Antonin. Septimius saw an abyss opening up between his beloved children. They adopted bad habits and began to lead dissolute lives. Antonin, once subject to sentimentality, became cruel, rude, and rehearsed an imperious gaze and a commanding voice. Geta made fun of him. He was a dandy, but, a simple and honest young man, he disdained to look down on others. Septimius decided that the best way to tame Antonin, who was striving for power, was to quickly marry him. In 203 (he was 15 years old), Antoninus was married to Fulvia Plaucilla, a relative of Marcus Aurelius. Antonin immediately disliked Fulvia. He refused to fulfill his marital duty with her, a year later her father was killed, two years later the unfortunate woman was exiled, and nine years later she was killed by order of Antonin. In 208, Septimius Severus went to war in England. He took both sons with him. Septimius was already old, the Emperor of Rome was dying. He was carried on a stretcher during the campaign. In February 211, after conquering Scotland, Septimius died. Before his death, he left Rome to both brothers and bequeathed to them to love each other and take care of the state.

But they could not live together! Returning to Rome, the first thing the brothers did was to divide the palace so that they would never meet. Antonin was afraid of Geta, Geta was afraid of Antonin. Either Geta or Antonin hinted to the cooks that it would be a good idea to add poison to their brother’s food. But they couldn't break their promise to their father on his deathbed. They even agreed to divide the empire into two parts: the western part of the empire with Rome was supposed to be given to Antonin, and the eastern part (the capital of Antalya in Turkey) to Goethe. But this plan failed. Their mother forbade them to divide the empire. And there was only one way out. At the end of December 211, Antonin's guards burst into Julia Domna's chambers and stabbed Geta to death right on her chest. And Antoninus showed horror on his face, fled to the Praetorian camp and announced to everyone that he had miraculously escaped death. Everyone understood who the real killer was. And everyone was silent. Antonin paid the soldiers generously for this silent neutrality. He spent all the gold reserves that his father collected during the 18 years of his reign on payments. But the army firmly took the side of the fratricide. With the Praetorians, Antonin came to the Senate and demanded the deification of his brother Geta, who had been killed by the villains. The Senate deified. Antonin now had sole power in his hands. And the massacres began.

In a week, more than 20,000 people were executed by order of the emperor. All witnesses in the palace were destroyed - both the people of Geta and the executors of Antonin's order, the senators were declared enemies - the emperors, Caracalla and
Goethe sympathizers, lawyers, teachers, courtiers, soldiers, servants, even children. Everyone who was friendly with Geta or expressed regret about his death themselves lost their lives. Fulvia was also executed on the quiet. Antoninus accused Yakzdd! her in a conspiracy. The first thing the young emperor did was issue a new coin and proclaim the so-called Antonine Constitution. In his edict, he announced the extension of the rights of a Roman citizen to the entire population of the empire. Excluding slaves, of course, and some groups of barbarians. As Yulia Domna later said, this was the first step towards the collapse of the empire. True, Antonin was always a bit strange. He loved “his” barbarians. Setting out almost immediately on a campaign against Gaul, he changed his Roman clothes to a simple barbarian cloak, presented his Germanic enemies with gold and clothing and, it seems, gained recognition from them, although the military successes were small. Antonin was not too interested in wars with the northern barbarians. He dreamed of the glory of Alexander the Great. In Thrace, he even began to wear Macedonian boots and a wide-brimmed white hat to look like a Macedonian.

The second thing he did was build baths. They are called the Baths of Caracalla. This is a majestic and huge building that occupied 11 hectares. The baths were lined with marble and covered with mosaics. They were so beautiful that they were considered one of the wonders of the world. In 213, Antoninus began his campaigns to the east in imitation of Alexander the Two-horned. He set out from Thrace to the Asian lands - he visited Pergamon and Ilion, sent part of the troops to Armenia and was (to his surprise and fury) defeated, but he came to an agreement with the Parthian king about a quick marriage to his young daughter. He wanted to have a wedding in Edessa, but Edessa belonged to King Abgar, an ally of the Romans. Antoninus decided to capture the king and take the kingdom from him. The unfortunate Abgar escaped from captivity and was saved only by a miracle. Antoninus then went to Alexandria. The Egyptians remembered this “friendly” visit forever. Antonin heard rumors that philosophers were laughing at his appearance and his dream of Alexander's glory. Having entered the city, he ordered the destruction of the houses of the philosophers, and invited the noble youth of Alexandria outside the city to a military review - there these young people died. It was said that the Nile Delta was scarlet with blood. It remained to resolve the Parthian question. Antoninus went, supposedly to get married, to Mesopotamia. Instead, he lured the Parthian nobles to a feast and repeated the Alexandrian massacre.

Rome and Parthia went to war. The first successes gave way to failures. The emperor even considered visiting the temple of Isis to ensure victory. On April 8, 217, he moved along the road from Edessa to Carrhae, where the temple is located. Halfway there, the emperor decided to relieve himself and, together with the soldier and the straw, retired behind a rock. They later found him there. Antoninus was stabbed to death by order of the praetorian prefect Macrinus by the centurion Martialius. Antoninus unwisely trusted him with his correspondence with Rome. In one letter, he just reported that the time had come to deal with Macrinus. Macrinus struck first. And soon he became emperor. True, only for one year. At that time people killed easily and had no remorse.

Marcus Annius Verus was born into a famous and educated family, but no one at that time could have imagined that one day he would become the head of the Roman Empire. Little is known about his childhood, but we do know that he was a serious young man who also enjoyed wrestling, boxing and hunting.

At the time when Marcus Verus was a teenager, the reigning ruler of Rome, Hadrian, was approaching death and was childless. He needed to choose a successor, and after his first choice, Lucius Caeonia, who died unexpectedly, the emperor chose Antoninus. He was a senator who was also childless and had to adopt Marcus, according to Hadrian's stipulation, as well as Ceionius' son Lucius Verus. So Mark's name changed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

As soon as Hadrian died, it became clear that Mark had become a contender for the most important position in the empire. He became seriously concerned about his education, and was finally given the privilege of studying with Herodes Atticus, a teacher of rhetoric from Athens (Marcus later wrote Meditations in Greek), as well as Marcus Cornelius Fronto, his teacher in Latin, whose letters with Marcus survive and to this day.

Mark also served twice as consul, thereby receiving a valuable and practical education.

In 161, when Antoninus died and one of the longest reigns ended, Marcus became Emperor and ruled for almost two decades until his death in 180. At first he ruled alongside Lucius Verus, his adopted brother, until Lucius died eight years later.

His reign was not easy: wars with the Parthian Empire, barbarian tribes threatening the Empire on the northern border, the rise of Christianity, and a plague that claimed numerous lives.

Death found Mark in 180 at his military headquarters in modern Vienna. The historian Dio Cassius describes Marcus's attitude towards his son, Commodus, whom he had made co-emperor several years earlier and who was expected to follow his goals:

“Marcus was not physically strong and encountered many troubles throughout his reign, but for my part I admire him, all the more for the reason that amidst unusual and extraordinary difficulties he survived himself and preserved the empire.”

It is important to realize the seriousness of the position and the power that Mark had. At that time he held perhaps one of the most powerful positions in the world. If he was appointed ruler, there was no limit to his power. He could indulge in temptations and succumb to temptations; no one could keep him from any of his desires.

There is a reason for this, which is explained by the expression that the history of corruption in power repeats itself endlessly - this trend, unfortunately, is true. And yet, as the poet Matthew Arnold observed, Marcus Aurelius proved himself worthy of the honorable position he held.

This fact has been noted by various researchers. Renowned historian Edward Gibbon wrote that under Marcus Aurelius, the last of the “Five Good Emperors,” “the Roman Empire was in absolute power under the guidance of wisdom and virtue.”

A Guide to Wisdom and Virtue. This is what sets Mark apart from most past and present world leaders.

Just think about the diary he left behind, which is now known as his "Reflections", which we will discuss below: the personal thoughts of the most powerful man in the world, admonishing himself on how to be more virtuous, more just, more immune to temptation , wiser.

And for Marcus Aurelius, as the leader of one of the most powerful empires in human history, Stoicism provided a framework for dealing with the stresses of everyday life. It is not surprising that he wrote his Reflections in the last decade of his life while campaigning against foreign invaders.

Having gone through the knowledge received from his mentors and teachers, Marcus heeded the studies of Stoicism, which we see in him, thanks to the teacher Rusticus for teaching him Stoicism and Epictetus for the Meditations.

Another influence on Mark was the teaching, whose ideas we can see throughout the Meditations. They had a strong influence on Stoic thought. Given the literary world of the time, Marcus Aurelius most likely was not influenced by , another of the three most prominent Stoics.

The tragedy of Marcus Aurelius, as one scholar wrote, was that his “philosophy, which is concerned with restraint, duty and respect for other people,” ran counter to “the imperial line that he anointed with his death.”

Records and suggested readings of Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius has only one major work, which was never actually intended for publication, the Meditations (originally called To Myself). It is not only one of the greatest books ever written, but perhaps the only book of its kind.

This is the definitive text on self-discipline, personal ethics, humility, self-actualization and strength. This work has inspired such writers as Ambrose Bierce and Robert Louis Stevenson, and such statesmen as Wen Jiabao and Bill Clinton. If you read this and do not change your attitude much, it is probably because, as Aurelius says, “that which does not transmit light creates its own darkness.”

It is important to remember that we are very fortunate that the teachings of Marcus Aurelius have survived to this day.

Teachings of Marcus Aurelius

1. Practice Virtues You Can Show
   • It's easy to succumb to self-pity when we start telling ourselves that we lack certain talents, that we can't afford things that seem so easily available to other people. We have to catch ourselves when we think about it. We need to focus on the things that are always within us: our capacity and potential for virtuous action.
   • Mark wrote to himself: “No one can ever accuse you of being smart. Okay, but there are many other qualities that you can't claim you don't have. Practice the virtues that you can demonstrate: honesty, severity, endurance, asceticism, abstinence, patience, sincerity, moderation, seriousness, generosity. Don't you see how much you have to offer - beyond excuses like "can't"? And yet you still settle for less.”
2. Draw strength from others
   • As stated earlier, Marcus Aurelius most likely wrote the notes to himself that are now Meditations on the Battlefield during the last decade of his life.
   • During those difficulties and adversities, he wrote to himself of encouragement in order to gather strength within himself again to fulfill his duty. One exercise we can take from him is to gather strength from the people in our lives or simply from role models who inspire us.
   • As Aurelius wrote, “When you need encouragement, think of the qualities of the people around you: the energy of it, modesty, generosity, etc. Nothing is so encouraging as if virtues were clearly embodied in the people around us when we -really gifted them. It's good to remember that."
3. Focus on the present
   • Marcus Aurelius knew about the temptations we all have to let our imaginations run wild, envisioning all the ways things could go wrong. Of course, such an exercise can be useful in preparing us for the future and preparing us for disaster, but Marcus Aurelius was well aware that it could become a crippling fear that paralyzes us from any useful action.
   • In his words, “Don't let your imagination be crushed by life in general. Don't try to imagine all the bad things that could happen. Stay with the situation and ask, “Why is this so unbearable? Why can't I stand it? You will be embarrassed to answer. Then remind yourself that the past and future have no power over you. Only the present - and even this can be reduced to a minimum. Just mark its limits. And if your mind tries to claim that it cannot resist it... well, then you should be very ashamed of it."

Quotes from the Roman Emperor and Philosopher

“Yes, you can - if you do everything as if it was the last thing you did in your life and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions overestimate what your mind is telling you, stop being hypocritical, selfish, irritable.” .

“At dawn, when you find it difficult to get out of bed, tell yourself: “I have to go to work - like a person. What should I complain about if I'm going to do what I was born to do, what I brought into the world? Or is this what I was made for? Hide under the blanket and stay warm?

“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be in the way, they are ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and sullen. They are like this because they cannot distinguish good from evil.”

“There is no need to feel irritated or defeated or sad because your days are not filled with wise and moral actions. But feel when you fail, acknowledge your behavior, no matter how imperfect, and fully accept the actions you took.”

“The mind adapts and transforms the obstacle to our action to its own ends. An obstacle to action accelerates action. What gets in the way becomes the path itself.”

“Carelessness in your actions. There is no confusion in your words. There is no inaccuracy in your thoughts.”

Back in the 18th century, an English historian, studying the development of statehood in the Roman Empire, conventionally identified the so-called period of five good emperors. All of them belonged to the third Roman dynasty, the Antonines, from the beginning of the principate. Their reigns follow clearly one after another, and the last of the rulers who brought glory and prosperity to Rome was Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

Childhood and youth

The biography of Marcus Aurelius is controversial, and little reliable information remains about his origins and real family.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was born on April 26, 121 in Rome. The parents of the future ruler, according to some sources, were Anius Verus and Domitia Lucilla. At birth the boy was named Marcus Anius Catilius Severus. His mother, Domitia Lucilla the Younger, came from an aristocratic family of Calvisian nobles and was a relative of Emperor Hadrian.

Domitia was characterized by a mild disposition, was not at all interested in political affairs and devoted herself to raising children. By the way, there were two children in the family. In 121 Marcus Anius was born, and a year later his daughter Annia Cornificia was born, who died for an unknown reason at the age of 36.

According to other sources, Marcus Aurelius was born into a family of noble patricians, whose roots are lost in neighboring Spain. Soon the boy was adopted by the family of the third husband of Emperor Hadrian's mother, Domitia Lucilla Paulina. When the first adoptive father died in 139, the young man was adopted by Emperor Antoninus Pius, where the boy received a different name - Marcus Elius Aurelius Verus Caesar.

At the behest of his grandfather, Marcus Anius studied at home, received a good education for those times and became famous throughout the district for his erudition. Of all the teachers, Marcus warmly remembered Diognet, who introduced the boy to philosophy and at the same time taught the basics of painting. Thanks to his good education and analytical skills, the young man was prepared for the position of assistant consul. In 198, the emperor died, and Marcus took the previously assumed position and began closely studying state affairs.

Emperor

Marcus was barely 19 years old when Antoninus Pius awarded him the post of consul, which was a great honor for the young man. In January 161, Aurelius was elected to a third consular term. Three months later, Antoninus Pius died, and his two sons - Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Ceionius Commodus Verus - led the Roman Empire. After eight years of joint rule, Commodus died, and power passed to Marcus Aurelius.

The leitmotif of the reign of Marcus Aurelius was an emphasized respectful attitude towards the highest body of state power in Rome - the Senate. The new emperor paid no less attention to the justice system. Moreover, Mark avoided dubious innovations in this area, but, on the contrary, strengthened the ancient, primordially Roman traditions and rules of law. And the ruler’s love for wisdom, reflection and meditation became the basis of the philosophy of those times. Moreover, although the emperor was a supporter of Stoicism, the opposition department of Epicurean philosophy, which he patronized, also successfully worked in Athens.

During the period of power of Marcus Aurelius in Rome, the foundations of municipal support for low-income and large families were laid. Despite the peaceful disposition of the ruler, he had to take part in more than one war. As soon as Antony Pius died, the neighboring people of Parthia violated the sovereignty of the Roman borders, and the Romans suffered a devastating defeat in two battles. Then the countries made peace on terms that were not the most favorable for Rome. A few months later, the German army attacked the northern borders of the state.

The massive attack of the ancient Germans on all fronts of the north of the Roman Empire forced Marcus Aurelius to increase funding for the army, as well as organize additional conscription, creating new legions to defend the borders. Even slaves and famous gladiators were recruited as soldiers. Additional problems on the eastern borders of the empire were created by the warlike and hostile tribes of the Sarmatians. 57-year-old Emperor Marcus Aurelius personally led the army of the Roman Empire against the Germans; the Romans were successfully advancing, but at that moment a plague epidemic broke out.

Literature

In 146, Mark enthusiastically studied philosophy. The role of the young man’s inspirer and teacher was the Stoic Quintus Junius Rusticus, who also served as consul.

The emperor's busy life and his devotion to the people and political affairs did not prevent him from studying philosophy, to which he showed an inclination from his youth. Throughout his life, Aurelius wrote twelve books in Greek. Many of the philosopher’s statements later became aphorisms and it is not always possible to remember their author.

Aurelius’s philosophical works were called “Discourses about Oneself” (alternative translations of the title are “To oneself”, “Alone with oneself”, “Messages to oneself”). The philosopher's works became the most important work of the period of late Stoicism.

Mark kept his notes as a personal diary, but not for the edification of his descendants, and certainly did not count on publication in a large circulation. The author's philosophical opinions are based on the theme of debt and death. In the book, the emperor describes situations that he encountered in life, looking for methods to suppress anger in response to the vile actions of people.

The philosophy of ethical reflection of Marcus Aurelius is based on an awareness of a sense of responsibility for the future of one’s people. From the inside, Roman society was rotting due to ignorance and immorality, and from the outside it was undermined by the military campaigns of neighboring barbarian tribes. During this difficult period for the state and its ruler, the philosopher tried to maintain peace of mind, avoid anger, hatred and feelings of powerlessness.

Despite a deeply philosophical life position, a penchant for introspection and reflection, Aurelius’ philosophical position is not original. The philosophizing emperor’s picture of the world was based on the views and teachings of a philosopher from Greece who lived in Rome as a slave - Epictetus. Both sages taught humility - to accept the world around us as it was created, not to try to change it, not to grieve because of its imperfections.

Although during the reign of Marcus Aurelius paganism was considered the official religion, and Christians were persecuted, the emperor’s system of the universe was close to the original Christian one. The philosopher accepted the theory of monotheism - he believed in a single higher principle, a kind of supermind that controls all things.

A copy of the author's original manuscript has not survived to this day. Its text was recreated in the 16th century by the German explorer and Hellenistic humanist Xylander in Latin. The myth of the “Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius,” which allegedly belonged to the ancient Roman emperor, was also debunked by Xylander. In support of the position of monotheism of Marcus Aurelius, Xylander, in his analysis of “Discourses about himself,” emphasized the similarity of the views of the pagan emperor with the Christian Holy Scripture - the New Testament.

Until the beginning of the 17th century, Epictetus was also considered the founders of the philosophical direction of Stoicism, and Marcus Aurelius was assigned a minor role. An analytical article by the Swiss scientist Casaubon restored justice, and Marcus Aurelius took an honorable place among the founders of Stoicism in world philosophy.

Centuries later, scholars who studied the teachings of the ancient Roman emperor also drew parallels between his views and early Christianity and ranked Aurelius among the unconscious preachers of the Christian religion in pagan Rome. The philosopher’s book “Reflections on Oneself,” which includes 12 sections, became the favorite book of the 42nd American president.

Personal life

After the death of Hadrian, Antoninus Pius came to power, and the engagement of the statesman Marcus Aurelius and the daughter of the new emperor Annius Galeria Faustina took place.

During the marriage, the girl gave birth to 12 children, but only four of them survived.

Death of Marcus Aurelius

At the end of the reign, when Germanic tribes threatened the borders of Rome, Marcus Aurelius became the head of the Roman army, but the plague raging in Europe was claiming thousands of lives. The Roman emperor also fell victim to the terrible disease. On March 17, 178, Aurelius died in Vindobona (the territory of present-day Austria). Considering the increase in the standard of living of ordinary Romans and the strengthening of Rome’s authority among neighboring countries, Marcus Aurelius was ranked among the gods after his death. The emperor's ashes were transported to Rome and buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian.

Dying and realizing this, Mark was not afraid of death, but with all his soul he worried about the future of Rome and his people. In memory of the wise emperor, there were books telling about the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and the structure of state power in harmony with the moral principles of humanity, as well as an equestrian statue of the emperor.

The sculpture was found in the Middle Ages and erected on one of the seven hills where Ancient Rome was erected - the Roman Capitol. The monument stands in the New Palace, on the Capitoline Square in Rome to this day, recalling the greatness and high morality of the rulers of Ancient Rome, expressed in a majestic statue.

With the death of the wise emperor, the period of five good emperors in the history of the Roman Empire ended. The son and successor of Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, inclined more to pleasure than to wisdom and politics, not wanting to bother himself with a war with the barbarians, signed a peace treaty that demonstrated the weakness and vulnerability of Rome to the enemy.

Bibliography

• "Reflections about oneself"

Quotes

“You should do everything, talk about everything and think as if every moment could be your last.”

“If something seems too difficult to you, do not think that it is beyond human strength. And vice versa, if any person can perform this or that worthy act, it means that you are able to perform the same act.”

“If someone insulted me, that’s his business, that’s his inclination, that’s his character. I have my own character, the one that was given to me by nature, and I will remain true to my nature in my actions.”

“There are people who, having done you a favor, will immediately declare that you are indebted to them.”

“The most despicable form of cowardice is self-pity”