Marcus Aurelius was one of the "five good emperors."
The term the 'five good emperors' was coined by Machiavelli and is still used today. He said that these emperors were good rulers and exercised good governance. He mentioned six emperors who ruled well: Titus (ruled 71-81)) Nerva (96-98 AD), Trajan (98-117), Hadrian (117-138), Antoninus Pius (138-161) and Marcus Aurelius (161-180). However, he used the term five good emperors because Titus was the son of the emperor Vespasian, while the other five men succeeded by adoption (by the previous emperor). Machiavelli thought that they were good rulers because they did not inherit the throne by birth. They were benign rulers, lived good lives pursued moderate policies, ruled wisely, allowed a lot of freedom and earned the goodwill of the people. He also said that when emperors inherited the throne by birth again, bad rule started again. He wrote: 'From the study of this history we may also learn how a good government is to be established; for while all the emperors who succeeded to the throne by birth, except Titus, were bad, all who were good succeeded by adoption, as in the case of the five from Nerva to Marcus. But as soon as the empire fell once more to the heirs by birth, its ruin recommenced.'
The famous 18th century historian Edward Gibbon wrote that during the reign of the five good emperors: "The vast extent of the Roman Empire was governed by absolute power, under the guidance of virtue and wisdom. The armies were restrained by the firm but gentle hand of five successive emperors, whose characters and authority commanded respect. The forms of the civil administration were carefully preserved by [these emperors], who delighted in the image of liberty, and were pleased with considering themselves as the accountable ministers of the laws. Such princes deserved the honour of restoring the republic had the Romans of their days been capable of enjoying a rational freedom."
Marcus Aurelius was highly praised and was remembered by posterity saw him as a' philosopher-king.' Besides being an emperor, he was a Stoic philosopher. He wrote the 'Meditationes', a book on his meditations based on stoic philosophy.
Marcus Aurelius was also distinguished from his extensive knowledge and keen interest in the law. He was described as "an emperor most skilled in the law" and "a most prudent and conscientiously just emperor." He paid a lot of attention to legal theory and practice. He was particularly active on legislation about the manumission (emancipation) of slaves and the guardianship of orphans and minors. He took an active interest in the choice of the decurions (town councillors).
Herodian, who wrote the History of the Empire from the Death of Marcus, said: "Alone of the emperors, [Marcus Aurelius] 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 Marcus Aurelius 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.
There were wars through most of the reign of Marcus Aurelius. He entrusted Lucius Verus, his co-emperor to fight the Parthian War (16166) against the Parthian Empire of the Persians. He fought the two Marcomannic Wars (166-180) against the many peoples who were invading the Roman Empire from across the Danube River.
After Marcus Aurelius, many Roman emperors exhibited corruption through various means, including nepotism, bribery, and misuse of power. They often prioritized personal gain over the welfare of the empire, leading to financial mismanagement and increased taxation. Emperors like Commodus, who succeeded Aurelius, indulged in extravagance and self-indulgence, further eroding the integrity of the office. This decline in moral leadership contributed to instability and the eventual crisis of the third century.
_Bad_Good"> Bad Good1.Caligula (37-41) 1.Nevra (96-98)2.Elagabalus (218-224) 2.Trajan (98-117)3.Commodus (180-192) 3.Hadrian (117-138)4.Nero (54-68) 4.Antoninus Pius (138-161)5.Domitian (81-96) 5.Marcus Aurelius (161-180)
Marcus Aurelius is pronounced as "MAR-kus aw-REEL-ee-us." The emphasis is on the second syllable of Aurelius, and the "u" in Marcus is pronounced like the "u" in "cup." The name originates from Latin, where the pronunciation may slightly vary based on regional accents.
good it had 3 parts to it
He was the last of the "Five Good Emperors", and nearly completed a campaign to conquer Germany once and for all, creating two new provinces, Marcomannia and Sarmatia. He was altruistic, wise, and a strong leader. He died suddenly in 180 AD and his son Commodus took power, as Marcus Aurelius had not named any other successor. The same could not be said for Commodus as could be said for his father. He disbanded the campaign and spent the rest of the funds his father had built on games in his own honor. It could be argued that if Marcus Aurelius had lived, or at least named a more competent successor, the empire may not have fallen, at least not as soon as it did.
Your question is a bit vague as there were 16 famous men who were called Diogenes in antiquity. I will assume that you mean Diogenes of Tarsus who was a 2nd century BC Epicurean philosopher. Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor who reigned from 161 to 180 AD. He was a philosopher as well. Therefore, both men were philosophers. However, Marcus Aurelius belonged to a different philosophical school. He was a Stoic.
Marcus Aurelius was one of the "five good emperors." The term the 'five good emperors' was coined by Machiavelli and is still used today. He said that these emperors were good rulers and exercised good governance. He mentioned six emperors who ruled well: Titus (ruled 71-81)) Nerva (96-98 AD), Trajan (98-117), Hadrian (117-138), Antoninus Pius (138-161) and Marcus Aurelius (161-180). However, he used the term five good emperors because Titus was the son of the emperor Vespasian, while the other five men succeeded by adoption (by the previous emperor). Machiavelli thought that they were good rulers because they did not inherit the throne by birth. They were benign rulers, lived good lives pursued moderate policies, ruled wisely, allowed a lot of freedom and earned the goodwill of the people. He also said that when emperors inherited the throne by birth again, bad rule started again. He wrote: 'From the study of this history we may also learn how a good government is to be established; for while all the emperors who succeeded to the throne by birth, except Titus, were bad, all who were good succeeded by adoption, as in the case of the five from Nerva to Marcus. But as soon as the empire fell once more to the heirs by birth, its ruin recommenced.' The famous 18th century historian Edward Gibbon wrote that during the reign of the five good emperors: "The vast extent of the Roman Empire was governed by absolute power, under the guidance of virtue and wisdom. The armies were restrained by the firm but gentle hand of five successive emperors, whose characters and authority commanded respect. The forms of the civil administration were carefully preserved by [these emperors], who delighted in the image of liberty, and were pleased with considering themselves as the accountable ministers of the laws. Such princes deserved the honour of restoring the republic had the Romans of their days been capable of enjoying a rational freedom." Marcus Aurelius was highly praised and was remembered by posterity saw him as a' philosopher-king.' Besides being an emperor, he was a Stoic philosopher. He wrote the 'Meditationes', a book on his meditations based on stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius was also distinguished from his extensive knowledge and keen interest in the law. He was described as "an emperor most skilled in the law" and "a most prudent and conscientiously just emperor." He paid a lot of attention to legal theory and practice. He was particularly active on legislation about the manumission (emancipation) of slaves and the guardianship of orphans and minors. He took an active interest in the choice of the decurions (town councillors). Herodian, who wrote the History of the Empire from the Death of Marcus, said: "Alone of the emperors, [Marcus Aurelius] 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 Marcus Aurelius 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. There were wars through most of the reign of Marcus Aurelius. He entrusted Lucius Verus, his co-emperor to fight the Parthian War (16166) against the Parthian Empire of the Persians. He fought the two Marcomannic Wars (166-180) against the many peoples who were invading the Roman Empire from across the Danube River.
Augustus to Nerva -> Mausoleum of Augustus Trajan's ashes were put to rest at the base of his column. Hadrian to Caracalla -> Mausoleum of Hadrian aka the Castello Sant Angelo.
Yes, Mahatma Gandhi read the "Meditations" of Marcus Aurelius. He appreciated the Stoic philosophy and found resonance in its themes of self-discipline, integrity, and the importance of inner peace. Gandhi often drew from various philosophical and religious texts, including those of Western thinkers like Aurelius, to shape his own beliefs and practices of nonviolence and civil resistance.
Some powerful and thought-provoking Greek Stoic quotes that have stood the test of time include: "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." - Marcus Aurelius "Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants." - Epictetus "The best revenge is not to be like your enemy." - Marcus Aurelius "He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus "It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live." - Marcus Aurelius
Military campaigns of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 162 to 168 AD CE were hampered by sickness among his troops. He had captured Seleucia, however plagues came from the ruins to cripple his legions.
Marcus Aurelius - The best revenge is to be unlike to one who performed the injustice (or who performed the injury) Or, the best revenge is not to be like your enemy.