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The reign of Marcus Aurelius began with his accession on 7 March 161 following the death of his adoptive father, Antoninus Pius, and ended with his own death on 17 March 180. Marcus first ruled jointly with his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus.
Under the reign of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Empire witnessed much military conflict. In the East, the Romans fought the Parthian war of Lucius Verus with a revitalized Parthian Empire and the rebel Kingdom of Armenia. Marcus defeated the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatian Iazyges in the Marcomannic Wars.
Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor (161–180), best known for his Meditations on Stoic philosophy. He has symbolized for many generations in the West the Golden Age of the Roman Empire. Learn more about Marcus Aurelius’s life, including his rise to power, his reign, and his legacy.
- Marcus Aurelius was the last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome. His reign (161–180 CE) marked the end of a period of internal tranquility and good...
- Marcus Aurelius came from a prominent Roman family. His paternal grandfather served as consul twice, and his maternal grandmother was heiress to on...
- When Marcus Aurelius was 17 years of age, his uncle became the emperor Antoninus Pius (reigned 138–161) and adopted him and another young man as hi...
- Marcus Aurelius wrote the Meditations, his reflections in the middle of campaigning and administration. The extent to which he intended it to be se...
Nov 9, 2009 · Known for his philosophical interests, Marcus Aurelius was one of the most respected emperors in Roman history. His greatest intellectual interest was Stoicism, a philosophy that emphasized fate...
Aug 9, 2023 · Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was born on April 26, 121, in Rome, Italy. Known for his philosophical interests, Aurelius was one of the most respected emperors in Roman history.
Mar 26, 2018 · His reign, in fact, is defined by the Stoic view and he is referred to as “the philosopher” by the later historian Cassius Dio (l. c. 155-235 CE) and by the author (or authors) of the Historia Augusta (4th century CE), a history of Roman emperors.
Nov 29, 2010 · The second century CE Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was also a Stoic philosopher, and his Meditations, which he wrote to and for himself, offers readers a unique opportunity to see how an ancient person (indeed an emperor) might try to live a Stoic life, according to which only virtue is good, only vice is bad, and the things which ...