The famous historian Edward Gibbon wrote that under this man “the Roman Empire was governed by absolute power, under the guidance of wisdom and virtue”. Usually, absolute power corrupts and yet here is a man who disciplined himself against a fall such as this.
Fortunately for mankind, he left a diary. It is a most unusual document in that he wrote it to himself never really envisioning its publication and subsequent popularity. The book is entitled Meditations and contains the private thoughts of a Roman Emperor. The philosophy he was taught and chose to reflect from as he analyzed his own life is called Stoicism.
Meditations, originally titled, “To Himself,” was written in the final years of Marcus’s life, while he was leading his army in a campaign against northern Germanic invaders.
What might Marcus Aurelius teach us about the virtuous life?
For further information on Marcus Aurelius go to https://dailystoic.com/marcus-aurelius/.