Top 10 Facts about Marcus Aurelius

By NoJin – Wikimedia

Top 10 Facts about Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor known for his brave exploits against the Germans and the Parthians. He is also celebrated as a fearless ruler and for his philosophical mind.

His good governance helped the Roman Empire achieve its golden age. Marcus was the most respected emperor in Roman history.

He was born on April 26th, 121 and came from a wealthy and prominent family. This afforded him the opportunity to get the best education. Marcus learnt Latin and Greek languages.

As time went by, Marcus became more interested in philosophy. He came to be known for his stoicism subsequently influencing other philosophers like Epictetus.

In the history of the Roman Empire, Marcus Aurelius is said to be one of the greatest leaders. For this reason, he was added to the list of the Five Good Emperors. Marcus was the last emperor and did not choose an heir.

Let’s take a look at the top 10 facts about Marcus Aurelius. 

1. Marcus Aurelius was adopted

It was common for emperors to adopt an heir in the Roman Empire. Marcus was adopted by emperor Antoninus Pius when he was 17 years old. His name was changed to Marcus Aurelius meaning Marcus the Golden.

His father, Antoninus was adopted by emperor Hadrian. Antoninus was said to be a hard worker, something that made the emperor notice him. He succeeded him after he died. Marcus became the imperial heir together with his adopted brother Lucius.

As the imperial heir, Marcus was taught important values such as self-discipline and civic virtue. Marcus was crowned emperor aged 40, this was after the long and prosperous reign of his father Antoninus.

2. His family was wealthy

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Marcus came from a wealthy and politically influential family. His family home was the Caelian Hill, a chic neighbourhood with many aristocratic villas.

Marcus’s grandfather owned a palace beside the Lateran, where he spent most of his childhood. This privilege had everything to do with him being named an heir at 17 years old.

His family had direct ties to the ruling dynasty. Some of the famous emperors of that time were the dynasties of Nerva, Trajan and Hadrian. Marcus’ mother was also from a wealthy family. Her father owned a very successful construction company.

3. Marcus Aurelius ruled together with his brother

When Antoninus Pius died in 161 AD, Marcus and his brother Lucius became co-emperors. Marcus had an impressive and impeccable character. Together with his brother, they used their power for the benefit of the empire.

He was great at carrying out his administrative duties but not when it came to war. Marcus had never commanded his own army. Despite the lack of experience, he did not fail when he had to fight in Rome.   

After he was crowned emperor, Marcus was given a new name. he was now known as Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus. It was common in those days for emperors to have long names or titles.

Despite sharing power with his brother, he was the one with more authority.

4. As a philosophy student, Aurelius was interested in Law too

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Like most of his peers, Marcus was educated at home. He had the best teacher’s money could afford them having come from a wealthy family. Although there were public schools back then, the wealthy and noble preferred homeschooling.

When he was about 11 years old. Marcus developed a great interest in philosophy from his teacher Diognetus. He emulated his teacher by wearing a Greek cloak and sleeping on the floor. His mother had to convince him to sleep on the bed.

As a teenager, Marcus had several teachers who taught him Latin and Greek languages. His Latin teacher, Fronto, had a great influence on his life and later years. They frequently wrote to each other.

5. Marcus Aurelius authority was challenged

He did not have a smooth reign as an emperor. At one time, there was a threat to overthrow him from power. There were rumours that he was very ill and could not rule the Roman Empire any longer.

Hearing this, Marcus travelled to the east to regain control of his Empire. The man who had named himself emperor was murdered by his own soldiers.

Marcus was accompanied by his wife Faustina during his tour of re-establishing his power. Unfortunately, his wife died during this tour.  

Marcus Aurelius is best remembered for his contemplative nature and his rule driven by reason.

6. His adopted brother died from smallpox

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In 168 Marcus and Lucius left for the German front, they were however forced to return due to the spread of an infectious disease. A year later, his brother contracted smallpox and did not survive.

This left Marcus without a co-emperor. Now all alone, he did not take the new responsibility lightly. He waged war against the Germans and pushed them away from the Danube River.  

Marcus was able to create alliances with some tribes and negotiated for peace too. This made way for thousands of Roman soldiers to return home from Germany.

During his reign, his empire was faced with several challenges such as diseases and war.

7. After his brother’s death, Aurelius replaced him with his son

Marcus Aurelius loved naming his relatives as co-emperors. A few years after the death of his brother Lucius, he named his son Commodus as his new co-emperor. They fought the Danubian wars which Marcus and Lucius had fought for before he died.

He wanted to expand his empire by fighting their northern enemies. This did not happen because Marcus died a few years later. His son Commodus became emperor and ended the northern military efforts.

8. Marcus Aurelius spent most of his time as an emperor fighting

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The rule of Marcus Aurelius is considered to have been part of the period of relative peace within the borders of the Roman Empire. This did not mean that there was no military conflict at its borders.

The longest war the empire experienced was between AD 161 and AD 166. The Roman empire was fighting the Parthian Empire as well as the rebellious Kingdom of Armenia.

There was also a constant war between his kingdom and Germany. Marcus was not able to defeat his northern enemies. He fought these rebellious tribes until his death in AD 180.

9. Marcus Aurelius was the last ruler of Pax Romana

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Marcus Aurelius is known as the last of the Five Good Emperors. He was considered the perfect philosopher and king, who always prioritised his duty above himself.

Pax Romana was a 207-year period marked by the stability and peace of the Roman Empire. It started in 87 AD with Caesar Augustus and ended with Marcus Aurelius’ death in 180 AD.

10.  His book, Meditation, remains to be a bestseller

A collection of his thoughts have been published in a book called The Meditations. The book is based on his Stoic beliefs which he wrote himself.

Marcus shared his deep thoughts and challenges he faced as the Roman emperor. He wrote this book in Greek telling of his anxieties as well as addictions.