Experience the world of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and the tremendous challenges he faced
and overcame with the help of Stoic philosophy “[Robertson] thoughtfully and readably
capture[s] the essence of this great man and his great life. It’s a must read for any aspiring
Stoic.”—Ryan Holiday #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Daily Stoic This novel
biography brings Marcus Aurelius (121–180 CE) to life for a new generation of readers by
exploring the emperor’s fascinating psychological journey. Donald J. Robertson examines
Marcus’s relationships with key figures in his life such as his mother Domitia Lucilla and
the emperor Hadrian as well as his Stoic tutors. He draws extensively on Marcus’s own
Meditations and correspondence and he examines the emperor’s actions as detailed in the
Augustan History and other ancient texts. Marcus Aurelius struggled to reconcile his
philosophy and moral values with the political pressures he faced as emperor at the height of
Roman power. Robertson examines Marcus’s attitude toward slavery and the moral dilemma posed by
capturing enemies in warfare his attitude toward women the role of Stoicism in shaping his
response to the threat of civil war the treatment of Christians under his rule and the naming
of his notorious son Commodus as his successor. Throughout the Meditations is used to
shed light on the mind of the emperor—his character values and motives—as Robertson
skillfully weaves together Marcus’s inner journey as a philosopher with the outer events of his
life as a Roman emperor.
