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Marcus Aurelius
For our next series, we're heading back nearly 2,000 years to the height of the Roman Empire to explore the life of one of antiquity's most fascinating figures: Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor. Born into one of Rome's most powerful families, Marcus was never supposed to become the sole ruler of the greatest empire the world had ever seen. But through a bizarre chain of adoptions, deaths, and political maneuvering, the quiet, deeply philosophical young man found himself sitting on the imperial throne. Unlike many of the emperors who came before and after him, Marcus was fascinated by philosophy and deeply influenced by Stoicism, spending much of his life trying to reconcile his personal beliefs with the enormous responsibilities of ruling Rome. But being emperor was hardly a peaceful philosophical exercise. Marcus spent much of his reign fighting wars along the empire's borders, dealing with political intrigue, and confronting the devastating Antonine Plague. He also shared power with his adopted brother Lucius Verus, dealt with rebellions, and eventually faced the difficult question of succession. Through it all, Marcus continued writing what would become Meditations, one of the most enduring works of Stoic philosophy. Join us as we explore the extraordinary life of Marcus Aurelius, the reluctant ruler, philosopher, general, and final emperor of Rome's celebrated Pax Romana.