Philosopher emperor: Who is Marcus Aurelius?

An important representative of the Stoic School, Roman emperor, and philosopher Marcus Aurelius, full name Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, M.S. He was born on April 26, 121 in Rome. Her father, Annius Verus, is from the city of Succuba, Spain, and her mother, Domitia Lucilla, is the daughter of Calvisius Tullus, who was twice consul (the highest level administrator in Rome). Marcus Aurelius, who came from a family of Spanish origin, lost his father when he was 3 years old. He was raised by his grandfather, Marcus Annius Verus. Family love was as important to Marcus Aurelius as it was to Stoic philosophy, perhaps deeply rooted in the care and love his grandfather had shown him.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 AD and a Stoic philosopher. He was a member of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty, the last of the rulers known, but later, as the Five Good Emperors and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace, calm, and stability for the Roman Empire lasting from 27 BC to 180 AD. He served as Roman consul in 140, 145, and 161.

The earliest source of information on the life of Marcus Aurelius is a biographical work called Historia Augusta by Julius Capitolinus. It is stated that this work is a "collection of biographies describing the lives of Roman Emperors and claimants to the imperial throne from Emperor Hadrian to Numerianus" and is mentioned with this characteristic. For this reason, although the work contains many miraculous events and gossip based on prophecy, being the characteristic literary feature of that period; It is one of the most important works that have survived from antiquity. The biography of Marcus Aurelius in this work is therefore one of the most reliable. The author of the work, Julius Capitolinus, also wrote biographies of Emperor Antoninus Pius, who adopted Marcus Aurelius, and Lucius Verus, Marcus' other adopted brother.

It is rumored that Marcus was informed of his empire by the gods at a meeting of the clergy he attended when he was only eight years old. In the traditional ceremony, it is mentioned that the crown he threw on the cedar was placed on the head of the god of war Mars, as if he had put it with his hand. This is also a sign that the brilliance of his star was dazzling as a child. Despite all this, Marcus has always been humble, dignified, and courteous.

At a young age, Salianus took lessons from many valuable teachers as well as priests and began to take an interest in philosophy at a very early age. At the age of twelve, he joins the Stoics and adopts their way of life. The first teacher of Marcus Aurelius was the literary scholar Euphorio. After he became emperor, he took philosophy lessons from Iunius Rusticus, who was the adviser of Marcus, from Bacchius, a Platonist philosopher, and from Apollonius, a Stoic and Sophist philosopher who was called to Rome for his education. Diognetus becomes an art teacher, Alexander from Phrygia becomes a Greek teacher, and Cornelius Fronto becomes a teacher of rhetoric.

Cornelius Fronto, one of the important orators of the age, learns Marcus' rhetoric, eloquence, and eloquence. There is a close friendship between them, far beyond the student-teacher relationship. During the rule of Antoninus, the life of Marcus Aurelius is uninterruptedly known for his correspondence with his teacher Fronto.

He expresses his gratitude to his teachers at length in the first book of his work called "Thoughts" and thanks all of them individually. In fact, not contenting himself with thanking his teachers, he appointed them to important positions and had their golden statues erected after he became emperor.

Marcus was raised under the supervision of Hadrian, who was one of the first to notice the imperial light in himself and declared Antoninus Pius the successor emperor on the condition that he adopt Marcus. Marcus is always a dutiful son to his father; His father always loves and appreciates him.

Marcus Antoninus married Faustina, the daughter of Antoninus Pius, in 145 AD, and became his son-in-law. Although Faustina is listed with adjectives such as adulterer, traitor, or even murderer in many ancient sources, some of her features are exaggerated and unfair according to modern historians. Unlike ancient writers, Faustina was described by her husband, Marcus Aurelius, as "obedient, loving, and sincere". 2 boys, 2 girls, and 4 children are born.

In the Roman Empire, there were male politicians on coins. In the time of Marcus Aurelius, his wife Faustina is also seen on coins. This was because, despite all kinds of gossip, Marcus Aurelius loved his wife very much. So much so that when his wife Faustina confessed that she had fallen in love with one of the gladiators, the gladiator had to be killed. It is not known whether the emperor complied with this proposal, but rumors circulated that his son Commodus did not look like Marcus Aurelius at all, and that the reason was this confessed love of his wife. However, Marcus Aurelius did not give up on his wife.

When Antoninus died in 161, Marcus was forty years old and became emperor. The name of Marcus Antoninus, perhaps Aurelius, derives from the Latin word "aureus" meaning "gold". Because the nineteen-year empire of Marcus Aurelius coincided with the golden age of Rome, known as the "Age of Aurelius". The reign of Marcus Aurelius is full of campaigns. He often stays away from Rome for long periods of time to fight foreign tribes. We see it in Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Greece, the countries on the Danube side where the war continues, Austria, Moravia, and Greece. Most of Marcus's Thoughts are written in these countries.

The Stoic School was founded by Zeno in Athens in 300 BC. His students were called Zenonists first, and then "Stoics", following the tradition of naming schools according to the place where they were founded. It takes its name from the Poikile Stoa (Illustrated Stoa), where Zeno taught, next to the Agora of Athens; Stoa means columned gallery. Staoism was influential in the world of thought for about 5 centuries until 180 AD.

The Stoic School also finds the purpose of philosophy in bringing people to happiness. Stoic philosophy has revealed a view of life that will lead people to happiness.

The religious side of Stoic philosophy is most strongly seen in Marcus Aurelius. While Seneca and Marcus Aurelius believed in the immortality of the soul, Epictetus did not accept the existence of an afterlife. Marcus Aurelius' philosophy is often centered around reflection on death.

After Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor, Stoic philosophy could no longer raise great philosophers. However, Stoic morality continued its vitality in the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and modern times. Stoic philosophers were taught in all schools, and philosophers such as Montaigne, Descartes, and Pascal concentrated on the thoughts of the Stoics.

Marcus Aurelius spent almost seventeen years of his nineteen-year reign in wars, on the frontiers, and on expeditions. In other words, as an emperor, it was not a very comfortable, calm, and carefree administration process. Marcus Aurelius portrayed a knowledgeable and prudent emperor, a determined, hardworking, and careful administrator, especially in the face of military problems and the economic problems they cause. Thus, in this most glorious age, the Roman Empire lived its golden age in every area, with borders stretching from England in the north to the African deserts in the south, from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to Mesopotamia in the east.

Aurelius was successful and loved by his tolerant, just, and consistent administration. So much so that when the well-intentioned commander Avidius Cassius spread the news that the emperor died and declared himself emperor, using the emperor's illness as an excuse, the soldiers of Cassius, who learned that the emperor was not actually dead, rose up and cut off the general's head and took him to the emperor. But Marcus Aurelius is very upset about this and says that no matter what happens, a person should never be punished in this way. The star of Rome shone in his time, and the empire attained its greatest glory during his reign.

However, it is said that Marcus Aurelius pursued an oppressive policy against Christians. We say it is said because, in fact, perhaps Marcus Aurelius did not know that Christians were being persecuted, perhaps he simply allowed it. Because in his time, there were waves of bloody persecution as Christians acted against the order. This information is contained in letters that have an important place in the history of the church. In the letters sent by the Christians in Gaul to the Christians in Asia, it is said that the torture of the Christians was the order of the empire. But some critics do not necessarily rely on this information.

In his last years, Marcus Aurelius was shaken by the death of his wife Faustina and devoted himself to philosophy. While on an expedition along the Danube, he died on March 17, 180, probably from the plague, with his son, Commodus. It is stated that his body or ashes were probably taken to Rome and honored by being deified.

After his death, the Roman Empire literally entered a period of collapse. Unlike Aurelius, his son Commodus is described as one of the most cruel rulers Rome has ever known.