Book Description
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description
An accessible and scholarly study of an emperor who was human and just throughout his long reign which was frequently punctuated by wars with the northern tribes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

How much do we really need to know?
I'm not a scholar of history, but have always been interested in the man that wrote the Meditations.I thought an in-depth analysis would be the trick for getting to know this Stoic Emperor better.In Birley's book, however, I experienced information overload.

We learn a great deal about the Emperor's tutors and family.But the reader, at least this reader, is given so much detail, that it is difficult to organize the data in a meaningful way.I could not distinguish the significant from the merely interesting.

If you already know quite a bit about Marcus Aurelius and want to learn more, by all means buy this book.

If, on the other hand, you want an inroduction to his life, I'd recommend looking elsewhere.

The Man Who Held It All Together
Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.) inherited the principate from Antonius Pius, the fourth in a succession of emperors whose reigns were marked with peace, prosperity and internal stability.Marcus was unique in several respects.Not only was he groomed for the throne from an extremely early age, he was also schooled in Eastern philosphy (Stoicism) rather than the conventional military upbringing of most emperors hitherto.

Ruling as the senior "co-emperor" with his adoptive brother Lucius, and later his ill-starred son, Commodus, he began his reign in classic 2nd Century style, as a benign despot, touring the provinces and engaging in continued correspondence with his favorite childhood tutor.

But then it things went horribly, horribly wrong.The Northern Frontier, which Trajan and Hadrian had done so much to secure, suddenly collapsed, with hordes of German tribes ravaging the countryside.So did the currency, leading to massive debasements of the coinage.And then the worst of all evils arrived -bubonic plague decimating the population.Marcus had to draw on all of his strength of spirit and learning to hold it all together, and hold it he did, restoring the frontiers and defeating the barbarians.Despite his successor, idiot son Commodus, he helped win Rome another good fifty years.

Birley's narrative is sharp and well-paced, and stunningly timely.Reading this at the same time as anthrax outbreak and modern barbarian invasion, I had a sick sense of deja vu.

The Life of One of History's Greatest Men
Anthony Birley's biography of Marcus Aurelius manages to give the reader a good view of the life of an Emperor by pulling together the very few resources available.Marcus' early years and education are given in good detail including some letters between Marcus and his teachers.It is true that the chapters dealing with Marcus' personal life and family are not as 'exciting' as some might wish but they show a side to an Emperor rarely seen.

The Parthian War, which was commanded by Co-Emperor Lucius Verus, is given a good overview.However, the Marcommanic Wars are covered in excellent detail.Anthony Birley reviews all the sources that are available and gives reasons for his conclusions.Coins, The Colume of marcus Aurelius and Cassius Dio are the prime sources for the Marcommanic Wars.The Commanding Generals are named and fans of 'Gladiator' will be disappointed.

This is real history and a look into one of Rome's most popular Emperors.If you are a fan of 'Gladiator' then read this book and see how much more exciting reality is.

The role Commodus played and the reasons Marcus made him Co-Emperor after Lucius Verus are explained very well.This book by far is one of the best Imperial Biographies I have read.

Good, scholarly but not a "great read"
I enjoyed Birley's biography of Marcus Aureliusm, because I was interested in the man.

Even so, it is written as an academic treatment limiting the story to the primary sources, with constant quotes from them.This is certainly an accurate manner to depict biographical information, but not as compelling as say Robin Fox's treatment of Alexander the Great which is equally well-research and annotated but is also a great "read." ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

well written biography
I thought Anthony Birley's biography on Marcus Aurelius proves to be his best work. Its well written, easy to read and thanks to many sources, quite complete and informative. The biography centered more around the man instead of politics or warfare. You won't learned much about the Roman military history during the period of Marcus Aurelius but you will read quite a bit on what drove this man, how he thought and why.

Birley write with certain objectively and with fairness regarding Marcus Aurelius. He allowed the readers to understand his subject and allowed the readers to make their own judgement on his subject. Overall, one of the better books on a Roman Emperor, I just wished that there were more attention paid to Marcus Aurelius' military life.

A history book that reads like a novel
This book about the emperor-philosopher who ruled the Roman empire in the late second century AD is pure joy. Written by Anthohy Birley, a professor of Ancient History, the book is a learned and comprehensive account ofAurelius' life and times. Marcus Aurelius was a fascinating figure - notonly was he a mighty emperor, spending long years in the battle field anddealing with a horrible plague ravaging throughout the Roman Empire but hewas also a philosopher who recorded his stoic reflections of commitment tovirtue above pleasure in his "meditations". Birley manages in hisbook to bring this extraordinary man of 1800 years ago to life for today'sreader, and I would recommend this book not only to scholars, studyingRoman history, but also to anyone who likes quality reading - this is awell written history book that reads like a very good novel! ... Read more

Book Description

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius are treasured today--as they have been over the centuries--as an inexhaustible source of wisdom. And as one of the three most important expressions of Stoicism, this is an essential text for everyone interested in ancient religion and philosophy. Yet the clarity and ease of the work's style are deceptive. Pierre Hadot, eminent historian of ancient thought, uncovers new levels of meaning and expands our understanding of its underlying philosophy.

Written by the Roman emperor for his own private guidance and self-admonition, the Meditations set forth principles for living a good and just life. Hadot probes Marcus Aurelius's guidelines and convictions and discerns the hitherto unperceived conceptual system that grounds them. Abundantly quoting the Meditations to illustrate his analysis, the author allows Marcus Aurelius to speak directly to the reader. And Hadot unfolds for us the philosophical context of the Meditations, commenting on the philosophers Marcus Aurelius read and giving special attention to the teachings of Epictetus, whose disciple he was.

The soul, the guiding principle within us, is in Marcus Aurelius's Stoic philosophy an inviolable stronghold of freedom, the "inner citadel." This spirited and engaging study of his thought offers a fresh picture of the fascinating philosopher-emperor, a fuller understanding of the tradition and doctrines of Stoicism, and rich insight on the culture of the Roman empire in the second century. Pierre Hadot has been working on Marcus Aurelius for more than twenty years; in this book he distills his analysis and conclusions with extraordinary lucidity for the general reader.

Customer Reviews (3)

A Great Book About a Great Book
Until I read this marvelous book, I regarded the "Meditations" of Marcus Aurelius as somber reflections on life by a wise and sensitive observer -- but not as much more."The Inner Citadel" shows that the "Meditations" were really spiritual exercises shaped by a coherent Stoic philosophy, and intended to entrench a Stoic outlook in Marcus Aurelius' soul.The book connects Marcus Aurelius to other Stoic thinkers such as Seneca and Epictetus, and shows that Stoicism was both a sophisticated ethical system and an appealing form of non-supernatural piety.Anyone who enjoyed the "Meditations" will love "The Inner Citadel."It's a thoughtful and eye-opening book.Six stars.

Informative and practical
This is a very insightful work into the Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius - both informative and practical.

Nice analysis of the Meditations
Hadot manages an academically rigorous analysis of the _Meditations_ while also bringing out the vibrancy and robust spirituality which must have accompanied the ancient philosophies. Where most secondary sources for the Stoics focus upon dry-as-dust technical logistics (which the ancients universally decried), Hadot brings to the foreground the true purpose of ancient meditation techniques, and provides readers some hints of what it might have been like to study Stoicism as a life-philosophy instead of merely an academic curiosity. The book also provides a wonderful synopsis of Epictetus' teaching and style, which strongly influenced M.A. A fine companion with Hadot's _Philosophy As a Way of Life_. ... Read more

Book Description
The Campidoglio, the Roman Capitol, stands on the peak of the smallest of Rome's seven hills. The epicenter of the Roman Empire, it was transformed by Michelangelo into one of the most imposing architectural compositions of all time, grand environment for the political life of a great city. Michelangelo's design for the Piazza del Campidoglio was one of the first efforts to make a public space in which all the elements function as a whole. At the center of a trapezoidal area, flanked by three palaces, was the ancient Roman equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, the second-century ruler who presided over the waning clays of the empire. Alexander Liberman has photographed the statue and its environs in all kinds of light and from all angles over a period of years. The result is a stunning photographic essay on one of the most dramatic monuments ever constructed.

"Of all the Roman emperors, Marcus Aurelius gets the best press," Joseph Brodsky writes in the witty and profound essay that accompanies Liberman's photographs. "Historians love him, and so do philosophers." He was the model philosopher-king, remembered now mostly for his Meditations, writings on morality, virtue, and rationality. "If that book hasn't civilized us, what will?" Brodsky notes. A supplementary text on the art and architecture of the Campidoglio formed by Michelangelo into one of the most imposing architectural compositions of all time, a grand environment for the political life of a great city. Michelangelo's design for the Piazza del Campidoglio was one of the first efforts to make a public space in which all the elements function as a whole. At the center of a trapezoidal area, flanked by three palaces, was the ancient Roman equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius, the second-century ruler who presided over the waning days of the empire. Alexander Liberman has photographed the statue and its environs in all kinds of light and from all angles over a period of years. The result is a stunning photographic essay on one of the most dramatic public monuments ever constructed.

"Of all the Roman emperors, Marcus Aurelius gets the best press," Joseph Brodsky writes in the witty and profound essay that accompanies Liberman's photographs. "Historians love him, and so do philosophers." He was the model philosopher-king, remembered now mostly for his Meditations, writings on morality, virtue, and rationality. "If that book hasn't civilized us, what will?" Brodsky notes. A supplementary text on the art and architecture of the Campidoglio has been contributed by Diane Kelder. ... Read more