How was Marcus Aurelius remembered?

Answer 1

Marcus Aurelius was remembered as a 'philosopher-king' and one of the "five good emperors" of Rome. Besides being an emperor, he was a Stoic philosopher. He sent most of his reign at war. He fought in the Parthian War (against the Persians 161-66) and two Marcomannic Wars (166-180) against peoples who were invading the Roman Empire.

A philosopher, Marcus Aurelius wrote the 'Meditationes', a book on stoic philosophy. He dealt with theory and practice of law, particularly in laws regarding the guardianship of orphans and minors and the manumission (emancipation) of slaves. He was highly praised and posterity saw him as a philosopher king.

Herodian wrote: "Alone of the emperors, he gave proof of his learning not by mere words or knowledge of philosophical doctrines but by his blameless character and temperate way of life." In the Justinian Code he was described as "a most prudent and conscientiously just emperor and an emperor most skilled in the law." Christian writers also praised him, even though he was a pagan. Melitus said that he was more philanthropic and philosophic than his two predecessors who also were among the five good emperors.

Marcus Aurelius biggest mistake was to designate his son Commodus as his successor. He turned out to be the worst emperor Rome ever had.