Marcus Aurelius

<p>Marcus Aurelius the philosopher-emperor who ruled the Roman Empire between AD 161 and 180 is one of the best recorded individuals from antiquity. Even his face became more than usually familiar: the imperial coinage displayed his portrait for over 40 years from the clean-shaven young heir of Antonius to the war-weary heavily bearded ruler who died at his post in his late fifties.<br>His correspondence with his tutor Fronto and even more the private notebook he kept for his last ten years the <em>Meditations</em> provides a unique series of vivid and revealing glimpses into the character and peoccupations of this emporer who spent many years in terrible wars against northern tribes.<br>In this accessible and scholarly study Professor Birley paints a portrait of an emporer who was human and just - an embodiment of the pagan virtues of Rome.</p>