Read about him here on Wiki. He died at age 58.
| Marcus Annius Verus 26 April 121 Rome | |
| Died | 17 March 180 (aged 58) Vindobona or Sirmium |
|---|---|
| Burial | |
| Spouse | Faustina the Younger (m. 145) |
| Issue Detail | 14, incl. Commodus, Annius, Antoninus and Lucilla |
I had no idea who the man was but I did know he was a scholar and a philosopher.
I wrote this poem about him, which I sent off with an email alert about our meeting on Tuesday night.
SELF IMPROVEMENT
Since humankind sailed down
from the trees, the pink-bottomed baboons,
the huge gorilla, the tail-less Barbary Macaque,
and tiny Rhesus monkeys
we have an innate need to improve ourselves.
This is why we read the Meditations of
Marcus Aurelias. He lived in a time of
constant warfare and a hatred of Christians.
The historian Herodian wrote, "He gave proof of his learning
not by mere words or knowledge but by his blameless life."
On the battle field his men were burning with thirst.
One Justin Martyr wrote, "Aurelius believed Christian prayer
had saved his army from thirst
when "water poured from heaven," after which,
"immediately we recognized the presence of God."
Aurelius goes on to request the senate desist
from earlier courses of Christian persecution by Rome.
Find your dog-eared college copy of Marcus Aurelius
Meditations and Quotes.
Carry it through the many battles and struggles
of your lives.
Better than that, you cannot do.
....
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