This book guides us through the fascinating life and writings of Marcus Aurelius, the only Roman emperor celebrated for centuries for his decency and earnest Stoic philosophy. Philosopher William O. Stephens explores Marcus reluctant rise to power, his marriage and his efforts to mould his son into a successor.

He examines Marcus Stoic tenets as he describes the struggles of dealing with a fifteen-year pandemic, the betrayal of a trusted general, social upheaval centred on a new superstition Christianity and how Marcus determination to stabilize the empires borders met with strife, broken treaties and protracted wars. This gripping narrative of Marcus life, times and thought, as well as his complex legacy, will appeal to all those interested in Roman history as well as to aspiring Stoics.

Format: Hardcover
Published: UK, 2025
Publisher: Reaktion Books
Pages: 232
Language: English
ISBN 10: 1836391161
ISBN 13: 9781836391166