Marcus Aurelius: the Stoic Emperor

The story of an emperor who, thanks to his principles, refused to be corrupted by power

Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire during its golden age – he commanded armies, decided the fates of millions and dealt with conspiracies and wars. Yet his private journals reveal a man who wrestled with doubt, sorrow and the conflict between who he wanted to be and what the throne demanded of him.

Donald Robertson draws you into the heart of Marcus's struggle, showing you how he used Stoic philosophy to overcome the enormous obstacles he faced throughout his life. He also introduces you to the people who shaped Marcus the most, such as his mother Domitia Lucilla, the mysterious Emperor Hadrian and his Stoic teachers.

Drawing on Meditations, ancient correspondence and historical records, Robertson presents a compelling biography of this most famous of Stoic emperors. For Marcus Aurelius, Stoicism was not just a philosophy. It was his fundamental strategy for survival.

This is the story of an individual who strove to reconcile power with his principles and goodness. A true story of a man who, even two thousand years after his death, will be a huge inspiration to you.