Marcus Aurelius
Attribution: Rob Shenk
121 BC - 80 BC
| Relationship | People |
|---|---|
| Children | Commodus |
The fourteenth Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (121 - 80 BC) is considered one of the four 'good' emperors of ancient Rome, and often hailed as the first philosopher king. Born to a prominent Spanish family in Rome he became an orphan at a young age and devoted himself to a life of study. By the age of twelve he was already mastering music, geometry, painting, mathematics and literature. He learned fluent Latin and Greek and the whole philosophy of the ancients through the Stoics whom he most admired. At fourteen he had earned himself the 'toga virilis' signifying adulthood and full citizenship of Rome.
When the emperor Hadrian picked Marcus' uncle Antoninus as his successor, he did so on the condition that Marcus would be made emperor after him. In the knowledge of his future role, Marcus began preparing for his succession at the age of 17, so that by the time he became emperor at the age of 39 he had already earned a reputation as a remarkable statesman and a philosophical visionary. During his nineteen year reign he implemented more reforms than any other emperor, and became known as a champion of the poor and disadvantaged. As the commander in chief of the Roman legions, he also successfuly defended Rome against more invasions than any other emperor.
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