What is the contribution of Marcus Aurelius?

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

Yes, Marcus Aurelius was a good emperor. He 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 (ruled 96-98 AD), Trajan (ruled 98-117), Hadrian (ruled 117-138), Antoninus Pius (ruled 138-161) and Marcus Aurelius (ruled 161-180). However, he used the term five good emperors because these men succeeded by adoption (by the previous emperor) and he thought that this was why they were good rulers. They were good rulers, lived good lives and earned the good-will of the people. Machiavelli also said that when emperors inherited the throne by birth again, bad rule started and the ruin of the empire commenced. 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 were good who 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 historian Edward Gibbon wrote: 'If a man were called to fix the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Domitian to the accession of Commodus [the emperors before and after the five good ones]. 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 [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.'

Answer 3

Marcus Aurelius was one of the five good emperors. They have been called good emperors because they were benign rulers, pursued moderate policies, ruled wisely, allowed a lot of freedom and were popular. This contrasted with the more tyrannical rule of other emperors.

Marcus Aurelius was 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 of slaves and the guardianship of orphans and minors. He took an active interest in the choice of the decurions (town councillors). .Marcus Aurelius is also a philosopher king. He was also distinguished as a stoic philosopher and wrote a philosophy book, the Mediations.

There were wars through most of the reign of Marcus Aurelius. His generals fought a long war against the Persians. Marcus Aurelius was also famous for having fought the wars against the Marcomanni and other Germanic groups who raided the empire from Bohemia. (Czech Republic)

Answer 4

possibly because he was a leader who possessed inner wisdom as well as political power. Like Abraham Lincoln in U.S. history, Or Winston Churchill of Great Britain.

Answer 5

he was awesome

Answer 6

He influenced mostly by his Meditations.