Marcus Aurelius Research Paper

Allie Smith Dr. Rinehart History of Western Civilization 10 April 2024 The Life and Reign of Marcus Aurelius The history of Rome is riddled with leaders who seek to serve their own purposes at the expense of the people whom they are meant to serve. This pattern was broken by a succession of capable emperors who ushered in the golden age of Rome, a time of peace and stability across the Roman Empire. The last of these wise and good emperors, Marcus Aurelius, reigned from 161-180 AD. His reign, while one of peace, was not without turmoil. Throughout the difficult and grim circumstances of Aurelius’ reign, he found a great source of comfort and support in a stoic philosophy which valued humility, and a powerful sense of duty above luxury and pleasure. …show more content…
He died at Vindobona on 17 March 1880. While Aurelius highly valued the leadership that influenced his life and reign, he did not provide that same leadership and guidance for his son Commodius, who did not live up to his father’s remarkable legacy. Marcus Aurelius exemplified selfless leadership through his early years, government service, and war time example as a result of his philosophy of life. The early years of his life, which fostered a love for justice and mercy alongside a distaste for the excesses commonly found in the Roman Empire, were the foundation of a successful and stable reign. He was beloved by his people due to his practical application of philosophy, and the gentle way in which he governed Rome. Although his early life was dedicated to education and philosophy, much of his reign was dedicated to serving the Roman Empire throughout war, plague, and famine. Marcus Aurelius portrayed this goal found in his Meditations, “Keep yourself simple, good, pure, serious, free from affection, a friend of justice” (Bauer, 754). The selfless leadership of Marcus Aurelius protected and portrayed the model Roman character who serves without greedy motive and humbly aims to curb personal ambition for the advance of state over

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