By: Bryan Ricardo Marini Quintana
Meditations is a compendium of Marcus Aurelius’ (121-180 AD) personal reflections, which the Roman Emperor originally wrote to consult and exercise the old wisdom of the Stoics. A Hellenistic philosopher named Zeno (335-256 BC) founded the School of Stoicism, observing that a universal reason governs life, and everyone should strive to live righteously in agreement with it. These Stoics originated in the Greco-Roman World, whose ancient culture instructed individuals to pursue a virtuous life by mastering the self. When facing adversity or despair, Stoicism advised the practice of humility, patience, and gratitude to combat impulsive passions that drive prideful men to lust or wrath. Instead, Stoics counseled communion with the “dæmon” or “logos” within every man’s innermost soul, learning how to discover spiritual guidance and reflect on divine wisdom in accordance with nature. Although Marcus Aurelius recorded his philosophical thoughts to contemplate the principles of Stoicism in private, he never intended to publish his text for public consumption. Therefore, Meditations cannot be approached as an autobiographical work with detailed accounts of his life; rather, it’s a handbook that helped him bond with his “dæmon” or “logos” while training in personal reflections on how to lead a life of virtue.
From an early age, the Emperor relished a life of commodities by benefiting from relatives who held positions of high esteem among the powerful families that influenced the socio-political structure of Rome. Later on, Marcus Aurelius would come into the line of succession when Emperor Hadrian (76-138 AD) named his uncle, Antoninus Pius (86-161 AD), his sole heir. In turn, he adopted Marcus Aurelius and his brother Lucius Verus (130-169 AD) to become joint Emperors upon his passing. From Augustus’ rise to power as the first Caesar (63 BC-14 AD) until Marcus Aurelius’ reign as a successor of the Nerva-Antonine Dynasty, the Roman Empire experienced 200 years of Roman Peace known as the “Pax-Romana” (27 BC-180 AD). During these two centuries, Rome flourished economically and culturally, with massive funds for public works that displayed the splendor of these Emperors with the building of roads, arches, walls, temples, palaces, theaters, and cities. Upon assuming the throne, Marcus Aurelius inherited a prosperous Roman Empire ruled in succession by Nerva (20-98 AD), Trajan (53-117 AD), Hadrian, and Pius, who became venerated as The Five Good Emperors.
During his rule, Marcus Aurelius faced various crises that tested his capabilities to administrate the Roman Empire. Among these was the rapid conversion of Christians across the eastern provinces, whose persecution continued from his predecessors under his rule. Furthermore, the Emperor came into conflict with the Parthian Empire in the Roman-Parthian War (161-166 AD), which brought military victory but at the cost of spreading back home the Antonine Plague (165-190 AD). Moreover, a series of clashes ensued with the Germanic Tribes across the Danube River in the Marcomannic Wars (166-180 AD). During his campaigns in the Roman Frontier, Marcus Aurelius began writing Meditations amidst a violent struggle that consumed much of his life, with the triumphant aftermath exposing vital weaknesses in Rome’s northern border.
In his education, the Emperor studied the ideas of Socrates (470-399 BC), Plato (428/427-348/347 BC), and Aristotle (384-322 BC). The Fathers of Philosophy introduced him to the concepts of caring for one’s soul, the link between a physical and celestial realm, and how to lead a life of moral virtue. However, the most influential teachings came from Pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus (540-480 BC) and Socratic philosopher Epictetus (55-135 AD). On one side, the Pre-Socratics, preceding Socrates, were concerned with how the world’s nature becomes entwined with man. This is illustrated by Heraclitus, who believed that the principle of the universe is a constant state of change, where life is an ever-flowing stream. Subsequently, transformation isn’t only a necessity for men and their surroundings, but it’s also a natural alteration. The philosopher understood this as a universal law of birth, growth, climax, decay, and death. Among the philosophical thoughts of Heraclitus, the expression that encapsulates his outlook is: “No man ever steps in the same river twice. For it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” (The Fragments of Heraclitus)
Meanwhile, the Socratics, succeeding Socrates, were fixated on the principles of moral virtue by observing how human behavior and notions lead to a noble or depraved life. This is exemplified by Epictetus, who argued that individuals should be held accountable for their conduct, learning to evaluate and regulate themselves. However, the philosopher discussed that, likewise, they cannot dictate the outcome of external circumstances, meaning that these should be embraced with a peaceful attitude to be righteous decision-makers. From Epictetus, a philosophical saying that captures his conviction is: “Circumstances don’t make the man; they merely reveal him to himself.” (The Discourses of Epictetus) Both philosophers, Heraclitus and Epictetus, are mentioned throughout Meditations, with Marcus Aurelius recalling their wisdom when pondering on concepts such as the “dæmon” or “logos” alongside their relation to the universal law and moral virtue.
The Western Voyager 