About the Book:

Classic teachings on the art of living by Marcus Aurelius, the great Roman emperor, statesman, and general whose Stoic approach to life has much to say to our contentious times. This collection of inspirational spiritual reflections has been acclaimed as one of the greatest books of practical and affirmative philosophy ever written.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, Emperor of Rome and one of the noblest figures of history, came to power in 161AD. He was a gentle and courageous man who was destined to rule during a period of constant wars and rebellions. He led his own legions against the Barbarians in the second century, and it was during that struggle that he composed a series of personal philosophical reflections, which reveal the integrity of his mind and character. After his death, his journals were published and the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius became a classic statement of the Stoic style or philosophy of life.

Written in Greek by the intellectual Roman emperor without any intention of publication, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius offer a wide range of fascinating spiritual reflections and exercises developed as Marcus Aurelius struggled to understand himself and make sense of his world. In them, he reflects with great beauty and simplicity upon the Stoic virtues that lead to a happy life: self-mastery, moral strength, duty to oneself and others, detachment, and acceptance of the divine order and the way of Nature. Spanning from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation, they cover such diverse topics as the question of virtue, human rationality, the nature of the gods and the values of leadership. While the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius were composed to provide personal consolation, he eventually created one of the greatest of all works of philosophy: a series of wise and practical aphorisms that have been consulted and admired by statesmen, thinkers and ordinary readers for almost two thousand years.

This is a full facsimile of the original 1957 Edition illustrated by Paul McPharlin and translated by George Long, the renowned English classical scholar.

About the Author:

Marcus Aurelius (121-180AD) was a Roman emperor (from 161 to 180AD) and Stoic philosopher.

George Long (1800-1879) was an English classical scholar.