Marcus Aurelius - Philosopher-King

The moving life and legacy of Rome's great emperor philosopher.

This book guides us through the fascinating life and writings of Marcus Aurelius, Stoic philosopher and Roman emperor. Philosopher William O. Stephens explores Marcus's reluctant rise to power, his marriage, and his efforts to mold his son into a just successor. He examines Marcus's Stoic tenets as he describes the struggles of dealing with a fifteen-year pandemic, the betrayal of a trusted general, social upheaval centered on a new "superstition" (Christianity), and how Marcus's determination to stabilize the empire's borders resulted in strife, broken treaties, and protracted wars. This gripping narrative of Marcus' life, times, and thought, as well as his complex legacy will appeal to all those interested in Roman history.

About the author

William O. Stephens is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Creighton University. His books include Epictetus’s Encheiridion: A New Translation and Guide to Stoic Ethics (with Scott Aikin, 2023) and Marcus Aurelius: A Guide for the Perplexed (2012).

Product details

• Authors: William O. Stephens, William O Stephens
• Publisher: Reaktion Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Release: 01.10.2025
• EAN: 9781836391166
• ISBN: 978-1-83639-116-6
• No. of pages: 232
• Weight: 454 g
• Series: Great Lives of the Ancient World
• Subjects: European History, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Historical, Biography: historical, political & military, HISTORY / Ancient / Rome, PHILOSOPHY / History & Surveys / Ancient & Classical, Ancient Rome, Biography: historical, political and military, Ancient Greek and Roman philosophy, Western philosophy: Ancient, to c 500, European history: the Romans