Marcus Aurelius

Meditations, Illustrated Thoughts of an Emperor Marcus Aurelius

Meditations (from Medieval Greek, literally "things to one's self") is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 A. D., recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek 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 (modern-day Hron) 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. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to long paragraphs. A central theme to Meditations is the importance of analyzing one's judgment of self and others and the development of a cosmic perspective. This edition was originally translated out of the Greek by Meric Casaubon in 1634 as The Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius, with an Introduction by W. H. D. Rouse. It was subsequently edited by Ernest Rhys. London: J. M. Dent & Co; New York: E. P. Dutton & Co, 1906; Everyman's Library.