Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor from 161 to 180. He was the last of the Five Good Emperors, and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers.
Born in Rome on April 26, 121 AD, Marcus Aurelius was the son of Emperor Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Younger. His father died when he was 16 years old, but he had already been trained in philosophy by his grandfather, former emperor Hadrian.
Aurelius was known as a man of great virtue, strength of character and concern for others. His Meditations, written in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180, is still revered as a literary monument to his ideas about Stoicism and the art of living.
As emperor, he defeated barbarian tribes in the Marcomannic Wars and made his peace with Rome’s rival Parthia through diplomacy rather than force. He spent much time on administrative tasks and sought to restore a working relationship with the senate that had been lost during the previous century. He paid special attention to Eastern affairs; he sent embassies to China, India and other areas beyond the frontiers of the empire in an attempt to expand Rome’s influence in foreign trade by peaceful means.
