Known for his philosophical interests, Marcus Aurelius was one of the most respected emperors in Roman history. … Growing up, Marcus Aurelius was a dedicated student, learning Latin and Greek. But his greatest intellectual interest was Stoicism, a philosophy that emphasized fate, reason, and self-restraint.

What race was Aurelius?

Marcus’s paternal family was of Roman Italo-Hispanic origins. His father was Marcus Annius Verus (III).

Was Marcus Aurelius a good man?

Marcus Aurelius was the last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome. His reign (161180 CE) marked the end of a period of internal tranquility and good government. After his death the empire quickly descended into civil war. He has symbolized the Golden Age of the Roman Empire for many generations in the West.

Was Marcus Aurelius the most powerful man in the world?

The last of the Five Good Emperors, Marcus Aurelius is a reminder that despite the saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely, that is not always the case. At the time of his death, he was one of the most powerful people on earth.

Who killed Aurelius?

In 178 CE, Aurelius defeated the Germanic tribes on the Danube and retired to winter quarters at Vindobona. He would die there two years later in March of 180 CE and was succeeded by Commodus.

Who are the great stoics?

List of Stoic philosophers

Name Period Notes
Zeno of Citium (c. 334-262 BC) Founder of the Stoic school in Athens (c. 300 BC)
Persaeus (306-243 BC) Pupil and friend of Zeno
Aratus of Soli (c. 315-c. 245 BC) Pupil of Zeno and poet.
Athenodorus of Soli fl. 275 BC) Pupil of Zeno and brother of Aratus.

How did Aurelius lose power?

In 161, Aurelius took control of the Roman Empire along with his brother Verus. War and disease threatened Rome on all sides. Aurelius held his territory, but was weakened as a ruler after the death of his brother Verus.

Who was emperor of Rome after Marcus Aurelius?

Commodus Marcus first ruled jointly with his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus. They shared the throne until Lucius’ death in 169. Marcus was succeeded by his son Commodus, who had been made co-emperor in 177.

Who was the most loved Roman emperor?

1. Augustus (September 63 BC 19 August, 14 AD) At the top of the list is a very obvious choice the founder of the Roman Empire himself, Augustus, who has the longest reign of 41 years from 27 BC to 14 AD.

Who is Commodus based on?

In this scene from Gladiator, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father to seize the throne for himself. Lucius Aurelius Commodus, born 161 A.D., was appointed co-emperor by his father Marcus Aurelius in 177 A.D. when he was just 16 years old.

Was Trajan a good emperor?

This warrior was the best of ancient Rome’s ‘Five Good Emperors’ A powerful military commander born in Spain, Trajan was very good to his imperial subjectsbut woe to the foreigners who opposed him. … Amid the periods of turmoil in the history of the Roman Empire came the era of the Five Good Emperors.

Who killed Commodus?

Narcissus Narcissus (b. 2nd century C.E.) was a Roman athlete, likely a wrestler, from the 2nd century AD. He assassinated the Roman Emperor Commodus in 192 AD.

Who was emperor after Pertinax?

Didius Julianus Didius Julianus, who purchased the title from the Praetorian Guard, succeeded Pertinax, but was ousted by Septimius Severus and executed on June 1. Severus was declared Caesar by the Senate, but Pescennius Niger was hostile when he declared himself emperor.

Did Marcus Aurelius stop the gladiator games?

2. Marcus Aurelius banned gladiator fights. In fact, in classic bread and circuses fashion, the Emperor decreed that gladiatorial contests continue in order to distract the masses from a bad economy.

Did Commodus really fight a gladiator?

Commodus fought against professional gladiators as well as wild beasts. As Herodian wrote, In his gladiatorial combats, he defeated his opponents with ease, and he did no more than wound them, since they all submitted to him, but only because they knew he was the emperor, not because he was truly a gladiator.

Does Stoicism believe in God?

The Stoics often identified the universe and God with Zeus, as the ruler and upholder, and at the same time the law, of the universe. … In one sense the Stoics believed that this is the best of all possible worlds. Only God or Nature is good, and Nature is perfectly rational.

What came after Stoicism?

And this literature went on to influence later writers well after the decline of Stoicism, particularly Plotinus (205-270 C.E.) and even the 6th Century C.E. Neoplatonist Simplicius.

Was Marcus Aurelius a Stoic?

The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was the last famous Stoic philosopher of antiquity. During the last 14 years of his life he faced one of the worst plagues in European history. The Antonine Plague, named after him, was probably caused by a strain of the smallpox virus.

How is Lucilla related to Commodus?

Lucilla is the beautiful daughter of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and sister of eventual Emperor Commodus. Lucilla did have a past romance with Maximus, when they were both young and had not yet married. The relationship however ended and Maximus married and had a son, while Lucilla married, had a son and later was widowed.

Who came first Commodus or Caesar?

Early life Commodus had an elder twin brother, Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus, who died in 165. On 12 October 166, Commodus was made Caesar together with his younger brother, Marcus Annius Verus.

How true is the gladiator movie?

Historical authenticity. The film is loosely based on real events that occurred within the Roman Empire in the latter half of the 2nd century AD. As Ridley Scott wanted to portray Roman culture more accurately than in any previous film, he hired several historians as advisors.

Was Maximus Decimus Meridius real?

Maximus Decimus Meridius: Maximus is an entirely fictitious character but seems to be based on several characters, including Avidius Cassius, a general in Marcus Aurelius’ armies. He declared himself emperor shortly after thinking Aurelius died in 175, suggesting a brief power struggle.

What did Hadrian do as emperor?

Hadrian was an emperor of the Roman Empire from the years 117-138. He was a powerful ruler committed to strengthening the Empire. Hadrian oversaw several important building projects, including the Temple of Venus and Roma and Hadrian’s Wall.

Who came after Nero?

Galba Fearing for his life, Galba recruited troops and marched on Rome. By this time, Nero was already dead. With no heir to succeed him, the Senate named Galba as the new emperor.

Was Commodus a real Roman emperor?

Commodus, in full Caesar Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus, original name (until 180 ce) Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus, (born August 31, 161 ce, Lanuvium, Latium [now Lanuvio, Italy]died December 31, 192), Roman emperor from 177 to 192 (sole emperor after 180).

How many Caesars did Rome have?

Twelve Caesars About the Life of the Caesars), commonly known as The Twelve Caesars, is a set of twelve biographies of Julius Caesar and the first 11 emperors of the Roman Empire written by Gaius Suetonius Tranquillus. … The Twelve Caesars.

Manuscript of De vita Caesarum, 1477
Author Suetonius
Publication date AD 121