Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
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Meditations

Author: Marcus Aurelius

Narrator: Kevin Collins

Unabridged: 4 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/16/2020

Synopsis

Meditations is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy.Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. It is possible that large portions of the work were written at Sirmium, where he spent much time planning military campaigns from 170 to 180. Some of it was written while he was positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia, because internal notes tell us that the first book was written when he was campaigning against the Quadi on the river Granova and the second book was written at Carnuntum.It is unlikely that Marcus Aurelius ever intended the writings to be published and the work has no official title, so "Meditations" is one of several titles commonly assigned to the collection.

About Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius (April 121–March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 until his death. He ruled with Lucius Verus as co-emperor from 161 until Lucius's death in 169. Marcus was the last of the "Five Good Emperors" and is also considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers. His tenure was marked by wars in Asia against a revitalized Parthian Empire and with Germanic tribes along the Limes Germanicus into Gaul and across the Danube. A revolt in the East, led by Avidius Cassius, who previously fought under Lucius Verus against the Parthians, failed.

Marcus's work Meditations, written in Greek while on campaign between 170 and 180, is still revered as a literary monument to a government of service and duty.

Reviews

Goodreads review by ❧TheTrueScholar on May 12, 2021

How ridiculous and ignorant of the world is one who is surprised at anything that comes to pass in life. (12.13) Cast everything else aside, then, and hold to these few truths alone; and remember, furthermore, that each of us lives only in the present, this fleeting moment of time, and that the re......more

Goodreads review by Amy on February 20, 2020

Full review available at warmdayswillnevercease.wordpress.com I found this book very interesting. Far more interesting than I expected to if I’m honest. It was fascinating to read Aurelius’ thoughts and his ideas about self-improvement. He’s very self-reflective and, knowing that this was his private......more

Goodreads review by Derek on September 13, 2016

Had Marcus not been such a bleeding heart pagan he surely would have been canonized a saint by the early Catholic Church. It's unmistakable the huge influences I noted with the tone of religious reverence Marcus has for nature law and the universe; it's unmistakably in my mind the influences this ha......more

Goodreads review by Maan on April 30, 2025

such a great book!......more

Goodreads review by Mark on August 07, 2024

A fascinating insight into the mind of one of the Roman Empire's great leaders and one who is strongly associated with stoicism. I feel like it was necessary to take my time while reading Meditations, as it really allowed me to process each passage rather than reading words just to finish the story.......more

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