Marcus Aurelius found his way to Roman Emperor through his heritage, and through his humanitarian efforts. He is well known in history because of his 12 notebooks compiled into The Meditations. How these short books managed to survive through the centuries is a mystery. History's earliest reproduction of Meditations was mid 16th century.
Young Marcus Annius Verus (truth) was raised by his grandfather after the early death of his mother and father. When the grandfather himself died, Marcus was adopted by his uncle who later became Roman Emperor Pius. Emperor Pius was so pleased with Marcus' development that he not only trained him to be his successor, but offered his daughter, Faustina to be Marcus' wife. Marcus changed his name to honor his uncle.
From his writings we know that Marcus learned piety, beneficence, abstinence from evil and a simplistic life from his mother.
As a pagan he did not understand the new monotheistic religion of Christianity but was tolerant of it. He believed reason alone should guide one's life, and that Fate was to be accepted as truth. Because of his goodwill he unwittingly brought about Christian unity.
The tolerant attitude of the Emperor made possible a broad and vigorous activity on the part of the Christian bishops, one evidence of which is the institution of synods or councils of the Christian leaders, then first held on an extensive scale, and described at some length by Eusebius in his Church History. In this way, it may be said, the Emperor contributed to the development of Christian unity.
One of my very favorite quotes from The Meditations.
If any man is able to convince me and show me that I do not think or act right, I will gladly change; for I seek the truth by which no man was ever injured. But he is injured who abides in his error and ignorance.
The below coin is an ancient silver coin from an online auction site. Asking price is over $300. The hobby of ancient coin-collecting is fun and a learning adventure.
I often wonder what type of leader Marcus Aurelius, the Philosopher King, would be in the 21st Century.
Reference source: My personal vintage library copy of The Meditations translated by George Long
