By Owen Thompson

Marcus Aurelius

Richard Harris as Marcus Aurelius from the movie Gladiator

Statue of Marcus

He was born on April 26, 121 AD and died March 17, 180 AD

He was a Roman Emperor from 161-180 AD, he ruled as co-emperor with Lucius Verus until his death in 169 AD where he became sole ruler

He was the last of the “Five Good Emperors” and is often considered one of the most important Stoic philosphers

Who Was He

Marcus was born in Rome where his father Marcus Annius Verus was a successful politician

His family was originally from Ucubi, a small town southeast of Cordoba in Iberian Baetica

The family rose to prominence in Rome when his Great-grandfather Marcus Annius Verus became senator in the late 1st Century, in 73-74 AD his grandfather Marcus Annius Verus II became a patrician, and his father married Domitia Lucillia, the daughter of wealthy patrician P. Calvisius Tullus Ruso

Where Was He from

He was brought up in an Aristocratic household and taught religious customs, how to avoid the rich, and simplicity in diet from his mother who raised him after his fathers death in 124

After his mother died he was adopted by his grandfather Marcus Annius Verus II, whom he would later thank for teaching him good character and how to avoid a bad temper

Marcus was educated at home, where he would begin to take an interest in philosophy under the teachings of Diognetus

At the age of 6 in 127, he was enrolled in the Equestrian Order at the recommendation of Emperor Hadrian. Later he would be enrolled in the college of Salii, again at the recommendation of Hadrian.

Marcus took his religious duties seriously and quickly rose up the ranks to priesthood, leader of the dance, Vates (prophet), and eventually master of the order

Early Years

In 136 Lucius Ceionius Commodus was selected to be Hadrian’s successor, several days later he died. HadHe would later become head of the Equestrian Order and change his name to Marcus Aelius Aurelius Verus Caesar

rian later chose Aurelius Antonius as his successor, Antonius accepted and as part of Hadrian’s terms Antonius would have to adopt Marcus, who would change his name to M. Aelius Aurelius Verus. He would later find out that he was adopted by Hadrian

In 138, Hadrian requested the Senate except Marcus from a law that stated he couldn’t become Quaestor (financial supervisor) before his 24th birthday and he would serve under Antonius

In 140 he was appointed Co-Consul with Antonius, he was also appointed as a seviri, one of the knight’s 6 commanders

In 161 Antonius died and passed the title of emperor to Marcus

What Did He Do

During his reign he honored the peacefulness of Antonius and allowed freedom of speech

During the Roman-Parthian Wars on 161-166 Rome was successfully defended from attacks on both the northern and eastern borders

He built the Antonine Column and the temples of Antoninus and Faustina

He wrote some of the most influential books of Stoic philosophy

Personal Achievements

He earned the title of philosopher king, a title he held even after death

Most other philosophers consider him to be the greatest of all and gave proof of his knowledge not by writing doctrines but by his blameless character and temperate and peaceful way of life

During a 30 year marriage to his first wife Faustina he had 13 children, only one son and 4 daughters outlived him

Legacy

In 180 AD Marcus died in the city of Vindobona (modern day Vienna), he was immediately cremated and his ashes placed in the Hadrian’s mausoleum where they remained until the Visigoth sack of the city in 410 AD

His campaigns against Germans and Sarmatians were commemorated in a column and a temple built in Rome

Marcus gave succession to his son Commodus, whom was named Caesar in 166 and made co-emperor in 177

Death

Benario, Herbert W. "Roman Emperors - DIR Marcus Aurelius." RomanEmperors - DIR--De Imperatoribus Romanis Roman History Roman RomanEmpire Imperator Basileus De Imperatoribus Romanis EncyclopediaByzantine. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. <http://www.roman-emperors.org/marcaur.htm>.

Crook, John Anthony. "Marcus Aurelius (emperor of Rome) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/364331/Marcus-Aurelius>.

Knight, Kevin. "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus." NEW ADVENT: Home. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02109a.htm>.

"Marcus Aurelius." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 07 Nov. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_Aurelius>.

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