He was in pre-christian Italy. So he was a pagan.

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.

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.

Marcus Aurelius spent most of his reign at war. He fought wars against the Persians who had invaded Armenia, which was an ally of Rome and installed their own puppet king. They were defeated and then occupied Osroene (in northern Iraq) another client state of Rome and again installed their own puppet king. They were defeated again and this was the end of the war. He also fought war against the Marcomanni who together with the Iazyges the Lombards and other peoples were carrying out attacks deep into the empire. They were defeated, too.

Besides successfully in defending the empire from very serious threats, Marcus Aurelius was also a wise and fair ruler. He was one of the five good emperors. He had a keen interest and great expertise in the law and legal matters and was very active on legislation about the emancipation of slaves and the guardianship of orphans. He was also a stoic philosopher.

The idea that he did not want his son to succeed him is not based on historical fact, but on two Hollywood movies (´The fall of the Roman Empire´ and ´Gladiator´). In those movies it was said that he wanted to give the succession to a stepson because his natural son was feeble-minded.

In actual fact however he had already appointed his son Commodus as co-Emperor during his lifetime and he appointed Commodus as his successor. After Marcus Aurelius´ death Commodus ruled for 12 years before being assassinated.

He was the last of the "Five Good Emperors", and nearly completed a campaign to conquer Germany.

an ancient Roman!

Marcus Aurelius was succeeded by this son Commodus.

an ancient Roman!

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.

Before the reign Marcus, the Roman Empire extend its territory including the Mesopatamia,Britain and Germany.In the time of Marcus the Parthian in Mesopatamia and Armenia revolted so he tried to defeat them.He only overrun their cities but not really conquered. On the northern part the Germans and Britons also revolted but Marcus overwhelm them.He did not really new lands of the empire.

ur cool

What is the question

stoicism