Marcus Aurelius Biography

Marcus Aurelius Biography

Full Name: Mr. Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus
Date of Birth: April 26, 121
Place of Birth: Rome, Italy
Died: March 17, 180
Place of Death: Vienna, Italy
Classification: Leaders & Revolutionaries


Although his rapid succession to emperor is unknown, Marcus Aurelius became a member of the Stoic Philosophers. His leadership fulfilled the hopes of many who had wanted both an intellectual with an open social mind to lead the Roman people.

Young Marcus was brought up in the most elite manner of his time. His family was of nobility in any direction turned to in his family tree. Receiving the finest education, he was also named Vernus or “true” by the current emperor named Hadrian. One of Marcus’ teachers was none other than Fronto, a staunch rhetorician, along with Diognetus, who influenced Aurelius to become a member of the stoicism movement under his leadership. Antoninus allowed Marcus to learn from him from a very young age how he too might rule Rome.

In a strange occurrence, Marcus Aurelius wanted his adoptive brother Verus to also become an emperor beside him. After repeatedly insisting, Verus was made an equal emperor with Marcus Aurelius and thereafter Rome would have two emperors who ruled astonishingly well together. When Aurelius came to power, war was eminent with Parthia who had and defeated the Romans repeatedly, namely in Syria. Verus was sent to lead the army in Armenia, even though he was not trained in military services. When Rome was finally able to take Parthia, a plague that killed off many of the soldiers was subsequently carried to Rome and annihilated over 25% of the Roman population.

By around 170, Marcus Aurelius was ruling the empire alone because of the death of his friend and co-emperor Verus. Due to a revolt by Avidius Cassius to the east, Aurelius was forced to call off other wars he was fighting in the west. He was forced to end his struggle with Germany and look towards ending Cassius’ plight. After Aurelius’ soldiers killed Cassius, the threat lessened. Marcus took it very easy on those who had supported Cassius and remained in the east to make sure his rule and balance was restored. Commodus, Marcus’ son, was given the title of Augustus and would share the throne with his father. After the celebration, however, the Roman Empire began persecuting Christians who his advisors had warned Aurelius were dangerous "fundamentalists" not good for the future or well being of the empire. And, while again at war with the Germans, Marcus died before Rome saw victory, but Aurelius was made into one of many Roman gods. Although no records of the biography of Marcus Aurelius was ever completed.