Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius
Emperor of the Roman Empire
Bust of Marcus Aurelius
Reign8 March 161–169
(with Lucius Verus);
169–177 (alone);
177–March 180
(with Commodus)
(19 years, 9 days)
PredecessorAntoninus Pius
SuccessorCommodus (alone)
Born(121-04-26)26 April 121
Rome
Died17 March 180(180-03-17) (aged 58)
Vindobona or Sirmium
Burial
SpouseFaustina the Younger
Issue13, incl. Commodus, Lucilla, Fadilla, Faustina Minor and Sabina.
Full name
Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus
DynastyAntonine
FatherMarcus Annius Verus
MotherDomitia Lucilla

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-Emperor from 161 until Verus' death in 169.[1]

He was the last of the Five Good Emperors, and is 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. It serves 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.[2]

  1. Birley, Anthony R. 1987 [1966]. Marcus Aurelius: a biography. Routledge, London. ISBN 0-415-17125-3
  2. Western Civilization: sources, images and interpretations. Dennis Sherman, vol 1, 5th ed, p104

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