Marcus Aurelius

than a century of Augustus’s reign, Marcus Aurelius championed the highest seat in Roman society. Aurelius, unlike his counterpart Augustus, was a benevolent commander who practiced stoicism. The two emperor’s respective natures are depicted in prominent artwork from the time, primarily…

The “five good emperors,” were Nerva, Trajan, and Hadrian and two Antonine emperors, Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. This was the period of success which began under Vespasian, continued under these emperors. During this time Roman civilization at its best, its highest stage of development. Nerva Nerva was born in Narni, Italy he was a Roman emperor from 96 to 98 AD, he became an emperor at age 65. Little is known of his upbringing, but when he took office he made immediate changes. He…

translates actual historical events by adding the Hollywood flair, vast inaccuracies compared to the stories told by Julius Capitolinus and Aelius Lampridus. Although a fantastic film, there are a number of inaccuracies and archaisms. Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Commodus are the focal point of this film. The film gladiator portrays romantic versions of the Senate and antagonistic, more than usual, versions of the Emperor. There are flagrant misunderstanding of the Roman political climates and…

of overcoming destructive emotions.” Marcus Aurelius was a man of stoic philosophy, so he was very practiced in self-control. Aurelius believed that in order to be a great leader, one had to be able to control his emotions and desires. Aurelius states in book eight of his Meditations, “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” Aurelius is arguing that external pain is only…

A man is robbed of his name tries to gain freedom of his people, in this historical drama directed by Ridley Scott, released in 2003. The death of Marcus Aurelius in the year 180 A.D threw the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus, one of the Roman army`s trusted generals and advisor to the emperor was sent to be executed when Marcus`s son Commodus rises to throne. Maximus manages to escape but is captured by slave traders, renamed Spaniard and became a gladiator by force. His battle experience…

On April 26, 121, in Rome, Italy, Marcus Annius Verus was born. He grew up in a wealthy and prestigious family. By the time Marcus had been born, his grandfather had already held several high ranking government positions; his aunt was married to the future emperor; and his grandmother was set to inherit one of the largest fortunes in Rome at the time. Even as a young child, Marcus was a hardworking and studious pupil. A few of his favorite tutors included Apollonius of Chalcedon, Junius Rusticus…

or endures patiently, which is evident by his concern for duty and high standards to the state. Marcus Aurelius the stoic philosopher was admired by General Maximus so it kind of makes sense why these two got along well. One thing that should be noted is that while many Romans and Christians believed in the afterlife, stoics usually did not. This was not like his character in the film. Marcus Aurelius was a true emperor from 161 to 180 AD as well as a stoic philosopher. He was remembered as a…

philosopher Marcus Aurelius, Aurelius give us some pointers on how we can live life with happiness and contentment. He reminds us not to stress out too much over what we can’t control, and that change is inevitable and it happens naturally constantly. He also tells us that we shouldn’t care what others think of us and we should just live life as we are meant to: by being good for the good of all. He states that “everything which is beautiful in any way is beautiful in itself” (Aurelius). We…

Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius were known to be as the “Five Good Emperors” who ruled from 96 to 180 AD. What made these men the five good emperors were because they were all adopted, earning the throne rather than inheriting it from the traditional royal families. The rules of these emperors were marked by their moderate policies and defensive tactics that helped maintain the peace, stability, and wealth for the Roman Empire. At the time, despite having Nerva at a…

fights like a barbaric god and soon challenges another, Commodus ... Around these characters, Gladiator makes his Russian salad of Roman history, like a peplum Classic. These include The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964), by Anthony Mann, where Marcus Aurelius was already killed by Commodus, for having preferred a certain Livius, who did not become a gladiator. It was then Sophia Loren who played Lucilla, the sister of Commode, here interpreted by the tastiest Connie Nielsen. But Ridley Scott is…