
- 217 pages
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
About this book
Millions of visitors to Rome's Capitoline Museums admire the great bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180 CE), practising Stoic and the last 'Good Emperor' before Rome commenced its prolonged decline. One ancient historian compared the succession from Marcus to his son Commodus as a descent from a kingdom of gold to one of iron and rust. The statue's fortuitous survival occurred only because of a longstanding belief that it represented Constantine, the first Christian Emperor – an instance of the mysterious ways in which Marcus's complex legacies would endure. The recent revival of interest in Stoicism has seen renewed focus on Marcus Aurelius. While new editions of Marcus's work Meditations, and fresh biographical treatments, have appeared, there remain lesser-known sources which shed light on how Marcus was remembered, from intriguing medieval legends, right through to the twenty-first century. Each generation has interpreted Marcus Aurelius, his writings, his deeds, and his personality anew, as he remains a role-model and the closest actual instance, in Western history, of an ideal ruler. This book collects and interprets, for the first time, a range of cultural receptions, enriching our understanding of this perennially compelling figure.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Book Title
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- List of Plates
- Introduction
- Chapter One Out of Oblivion
- Chapter Two Succession
- Chapter Three A Knight Called Marcus
- Chapter Four Marcus in the Hands of the Sophists (Or Were They in His?)
- Chapter Five A Golden Book
- Plates
- Chapter Six Roman Joy: Marcus and Hilaritas
- Chapter Seven Losing a Child
- Chapter Eight Marcus and his Monuments
- Chapter Nine Marcus Magus
- Chapter Ten Julian the Apostate’s Marcus Fan Fiction
- Chapter Eleven A Superior Genius: Marcus Among the Anglicans
- Chapter Twelve Marcus Incognito: The Strange Case of Defoe’s Dumb Philosopher
- Chapter Thirteen Saint Antoninus: Enlightenment and Revolution
- Chapter Fourteen Decline and Fall: Marcus and His Heirs
- Chapter Fifteen Marcus for the Modern Age
- Chapter Sixteen Nadir and Renewal
- Chapter Seventeen Marcus Goes to Hollywood
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index