Part 4/6:
Marcus Aurelius: The Emperor Who Embraced Stoicism
Marcus Aurelius, the last of the "Five Good Emperors" of Rome, was a devoted student of Stoicism, the ancient philosophy founded in Athens in the 3rd century BC. As the leader of a world facing a pandemic, civil unrest, wars, and cultural decay, Marcus found solace and guidance in the Stoic principles of focusing on what is within our control and responding to adversity with virtue.
In his only known work, "Meditations," Marcus Aurelius sought to pass on the "ointment," the "guidance," the "medicine" of Stoicism to future generations. This unique and peerless document in the annals of history provides a window into the ideals and aspirations that guided a rare spirit through the challenges of his time.