C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

Marcus Aurelius (121–180)

Marcus Aurelius (mär’kus â-rē’li-us). The Roman emperor; born in Rome, April 20, 121 A.D.; died in Pannonia, March 17, 180. On account of his devotion to literature and philosophy he is often styled “The Philosopher,” but he is known in history as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. During his reign, his empire was visited by earthquake, famine, plague, and frequent wars; yet, amid the turmoil, he cherished always his love of peace, truth, and humanity. He founded in Athens chairs of philosophy for the Platonic, Stoic, Peripatetic, and Epicurean sects. Christianity, which doubtless appeared to him as both philosophically and politically dangerous, he sought to extirpate. His ‘Meditations,’ containing the inmost thoughts and purest aspirations of one of the noblest souls that ever lived, has always been highly prized. (See Critical and Biographical Introduction).

- GENERAL INDEX - SONGS & LYRICS - QUICK INDEX - BIOGRAPHIES - READER’S DIGEST - STUDENT’S COURSE - PORTRAITS - BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD