The Philosopher King: The Life, Times, and Meditations of Marcus Aurelius

Nearly two thousand years ago, the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote a series of private reflections that later became known as Meditations. While never intended for publication, these writings have become one of the most enduring works of philosophy and offer a rare glimpse into the mind of the last of Rome’s “Five Good Emperors.” This discussion-based course explores the life and times of Marcus Aurelius, the influence of Stoic philosophy on his thinking, and the ideas contained in Meditations. After an overview of the historical world in which he lived and ruled, we will read selections from the text together and explore themes such as perspective, resilience, gratitude, duty, uncertainty, and our connection to the larger human and natural world. Through contemplation, conversation, and friendly debate, we will explore how these reflections may have helped an emperor rise to the challenges of leadership, adversity, and the ordinary trials of being human, while also considering whether his ideas resonate with us personally and how they might, or might not, translate to life in the modern age. Students may purchase the primary text Meditations by Marcus Aurelius for use during class; The Gregory Hays translation is recommended. New and used printed and e-book versions are widely available including free online version. The text, however, is not a required purchase as excerpts will be shared during the class sessions.