[193] Vologases entered the Kingdom of Armenia (then a Roman client state), expelled its king and installed his own – Pacorus, an Arsacid like himself. As Antoninus aged, Marcus would take on more administrative duties, more still when he became the praetorian prefect (an office that was as much secretarial as military) when Marcus Gavius Maximus died in 156 or 157. They were called Titus Aurelius Antoninus and Tiberius Aelius Aurelius. Marcus's great-grandfather Marcus Annius Verus (I) was a senator and (according to the Historia Augusta) ex-praetor; his grandfather Marcus Annius Verus (II) was made patrician in 73–74. Clemens was from the frontier province of Pannonia and had served in the war in Mauretania. Hadrian then adopted Titus Aurelius Antoninus (the husband of Marcus’s aunt) to succeed him as the emperor Antoninus Pius (reigned 138–161), arranging that Antoninus should adopt as his sons two young men—one the son of Commodus and the other Marcus, whose name was then changed to Marcus Aelius Aurelius Verus. [169] The births were celebrated on the imperial coinage. together with the preliminary discourse of the learned Gataker” Barnes, 'Hadrian and Lucius Verus', p. 66. He sent for Antoninus, who was at his side when he died on 10 July 138. Marcus and Verus fought the Germans off with success, but in 169 Verus died suddenly, and doubtless naturally, of a stroke. Rome is to be a republic again. An Educated Emperor: Marcus Aurelius and Fronto. Excuses were sought, or invented: the official version had it that the Seleucids broke faith first. Venus Williams. [33][note 2] Though he can hardly have known his father, Marcus wrote in his Meditations that he had learnt 'modesty and manliness' from his memories of his father and the man's posthumous reputation. His father died when he was three, and his mother and grandfather raised Marcus. The most important group of sources, the biographies contained in the Historia Augusta, claimed to be written by a group of authors at the turn of the 4th century AD, but it is believed they were in fact written by a single author (referred to here as 'the biographer') from about 395 AD. [170], Soon after the emperors' accession, Marcus's eleven-year-old daughter, Annia Lucilla, was betrothed to Lucius (in spite of the fact that he was, formally, her uncle). Height 5'10" 177.8 cm Weight 170 lbs 77.11 kg Association: Elite Mixed Fighters Class: Welterweight. [238], The Armenian capital Artaxata was captured in 163. The Parthian army dispersed in the Tigris. [147], After Antoninus died in 161, Marcus was effectively sole ruler of the Empire. [160] Upon his accession he also devalued the Roman currency. [146] His death closed out the longest reign since Augustus, surpassing Tiberius by a couple of months. '[181] Marcus's early reign proceeded smoothly; he was able to give himself wholly to philosophy and the pursuit of popular affection. Marcus Servilius Fabianus Maximus was shuffled from Lower Moesia to Upper Moesia when Marcus Iallius Bassus had joined Lucius in Antioch. His stepbrother Lucius Verus, then named Lucius Aurelius Verus Augustus, was then named co-emperor – to his behest. The city was sacked nonetheless, leaving a black mark on Lucius's reputation. leaves, Iain King explains that Marcus's legacy was tragic: "[The emperor's] Stoic philosophy – which is about self-restraint, duty, and respect for others – was so abjectly abandoned by the imperial line he anointed on his death. [61], After a series of suicide attempts, all thwarted by Antoninus, Hadrian left for Baiae, a seaside resort on the Campanian coast. Marcus Aurelius, the byname is Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, born on 26 April 121 and died on 17 March 180. That's because the Stoics believed that the best way to study their … Marcus Aurelius - Marcus Aurelius - The Meditations: A more intimate contact with the thoughts pursued by Marcus during the troubling involvements of his reign, though not what would have been historically most valuable, his day-to-day political thoughts, can be acquired by reading the Meditations. Another daughter was born on 7 March 150, Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla. [285] Raoul McLaughlin writes that the travel of Roman subjects to the Han Chinese court in 166 may have started a new era of Roman–Far East trade. Only with reluctance did he move from his mother's house on the Caelian to Hadrian's private home. [198], There was threat of war on other frontiers as well – in Britain, and in Raetia and Upper Germany, where the Chatti of the Taunus mountains had recently crossed over the limes. Meditations is still revered as a literary monument to a government of service and duty. This was not a new thing, but this time the numbers of settlers required the creation of two new frontier provinces on the left shore of the Danube, Sarmatia and Marcomannia, including today's Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary. He started nibbling on dry bread to give him the strength to stay awake through his morning receptions. A frontier post had been destroyed, and it looked like all the peoples of central and northern Europe were in turmoil. [315] It survived in the scholarly traditions of the Eastern Church and the first surviving quotes of the book, as well as the first known reference of it by name ('Marcus's writings to himself') are from Arethas of Caesarea in the 10th century and in the Byzantine Suda (perhaps inserted by Arethas himself). Birley, 'Hadrian to the Antonines', p. 164. Maximus : Two years, two hundred and sixty-four days and this morning. He decreased the silver purity of the denarius from 83.5% to 79% – the silver weight dropping from 2.68 g (0.095 oz) to 2.57 g (0.091 oz). The Column of Marcus Aurelius in Piazza Colonna. Related Authors. During his reign, the Rhine and Danube frontier was strengthened after successful wars against several Germanic tribes such as the Goths, Alamanni, Longiones, Franks, Burgundians, and Vandals. Marcus Aurelius as the adopted son of Antonius Pius prepared for over twenty years for the time we would be emperor, and part of his preparation was to study the works of the Stoic philosophers like Epictetus, Seneca, and Cicero. It was the only thing the biographer could find fault with in Marcus's entire boyhood. As tribune, he had the right to bring one measure before the senate after the four Antoninus could introduce. [158] This donative, however, was twice the size of those past: 20,000 sesterces (5,000 denarii) per capita, with more to officers. Man Should Upright. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus was born in April 26, 121 AD, to a prominent family. [ˈmaːrkʊs̠ au̯ˈreːlijʊs̠ an̪t̪oːˈniːnʊs̠], persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire, Last Words of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, "De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and Their Families", Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, 'Marcus Aurelius: Plato's Philosopher King', 'Column of Marcus Aurelius: Overall view, of base and column', 'The Columns of Trajan and Marcus Aurelius', Epiphanius' Treatise on Weights and Measures – The Syriac Version, Modern Stoicism: A Case for a Philosopher-King, The Thoughts of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Marcus_Aurelius&oldid=995638734, Articles with dead external links from October 2016, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox philosopher with embed equal yes, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Pages using Sister project links with wikidata mismatch, Articles incorporating a citation from the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia with Wikisource reference, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Wikipedia articles incorporating citation to the NSRW, Wikipedia articles incorporating citation to the NSRW with an wstitle parameter, Wikipedia articles with BIBSYS identifiers, Wikipedia articles with CANTIC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with CINII identifiers, Wikipedia articles with MusicBrainz identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SELIBR identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SNAC-ID identifiers, Wikipedia articles with SUDOC identifiers, Wikipedia articles with Trove identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, Tiberius Aelius Antoninus (born 152, died before 156), Titus Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus (161–165), elder twin brother of Commodus, dashed lines indicate adoption; dotted lines indicate love affairs/unmarried relationships. Verus III died when Marcus was three years old, but Marcus often said that his father’s life and memory has inspired humility in him. [94][note 6] He did not care much for Atticus, though Marcus was eventually to put the pair on speaking terms. Lucius asked Fronto to adjudicate in a dispute he and his friend Calpurnius were having on the relative merits of two actors. [62] His remains were buried quietly at Puteoli. Marcus Aurelius' Meditations - tr. Contemporary coinage commemorates the event, with crossed cornucopiae beneath portrait busts of the two small boys, and the legend temporum felicitas, 'the happiness of the times'. Edessa was re-occupied, and Mannus, the king deposed by the Parthians, was re-installed. [215] Marcus Aurelius put on Fronto's voice to chastise himself: ''Much good has my advice done you', you will say!' The answer, we learn, is, “For the glory of the Roman Empire, sire.” This scene appears early in the 2000 movie Gladiator, and though the star of the film may be Russell Crowe as Maximus, it is Richard Harris as the elderly Marcus Aurelius who steals the … Quotes to Explore Ability is what you're … tags: opinions, philosophy. [14] Marcus was raised in his parents' home on the Caelian Hill, an upscale area with few public buildings but many aristocratic villas. Height 5'10" … A man should be upright, not be kept upright. the wind scatters some on the face of the ground; That is the world which I created. [70] At the senate's request, Marcus joined all the priestly colleges (pontifices, augures, quindecimviri sacris faciundis, septemviri epulonum, etc. It 'affected his health adversely', his biographer writes, to have devoted so much effort to his studies. [60] Marcus's adoption diverted him from the typical career path of his class. He writes natural English, direct and often eloquent; the text is well supported by effective notes and a characteristically thorough and well-planned index; Diskin Clay supplies a useful … Marco Aurelio (/ ɑː r i l i ə s / o / ɑː r i l j ə s / ; América : Marco Aurelio Augusto, 26 de abril de 121 - 17 de marzo 180) fue un emperador romano 161-180 y una filósofo estoico. For this reason, Marcus decided not only against bringing more barbarians into Italy, but even banished those who had previously been brought there. Lucius Catilius Severus, described as Marcus's maternal great-grandfather, also participated in his upbringing; he was probably the elder Domitia Lucilla's stepfather. The pattern of ameliorating legislation was inherited rather than novel, and the measures were refinements rather than radical changes in the structure of law or society; Marcus was not a great legislator, but he was a devoted practitioner of the role of ombudsman. He led a Twelve Year Campaign in Germania, and his legions there were commanded by the Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius.He was murdered by his son, Commodus, because Marcus had instead appointed Maximus to be his successor. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. [113] He disdained philosophy and philosophers and looked down on Marcus's sessions with Apollonius of Chalcedon and others in this circle. Life changed drastically for Marcus Aurelius, and Rome in 161 when Antoninus Pius died, leaving Marcus effectively as the new Emperor. [297], "Alone of the emperors, he gave proof of his learning not by mere words or knowledge of philosophical doctrines but by his blameless character and temperate way of life."[298]. The latter two were the most esteemed orators of their time,[86] but probably did not become his tutors until his adoption by Antoninus in 138. Husband of Ulpia Marciana: Levick (2014), p. 161. [27][28] Marcus himself was born and raised in the Horti and referred to the Caelian hill as 'My Caelian'.[29][30][31]. [94], A significant amount of the correspondence between Fronto and Marcus has survived. The war that followed (162–166) was nominally under the command of Verus, though its successful conclusion, with the overrunning of Armenia and Mesopotamia, was the work of subordinate generals, notably Gaius Avidius Cassius. [161], A possible contact with Han China occurred in 166 when a Roman traveller visited the Han court, claiming to be an ambassador representing a certain Andun (Chinese: 安 敦), ruler of Daqin, who can be identified either with Marcus or his predecessor Antoninus. Marcus Aurelius, bas-relief depicting his triumphal entry into Rome in a quadriga; in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, Rome. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. To what extent he intended them for eyes other than his own is uncertain; they are fragmentary notes, … Italics indicates a junior co-emperor, while underlining indicates a usurper. MARCUS: My powers will pass to Maximus to hold in trust until the Senate is ready to rule once more. It was first published in 1558 in Zurich by Wilhelm Xylander (ne Holzmann), from a manuscript reportedly lost shortly afterwards. [249] The Parthians retreated to Nisibis, but this too was besieged and captured. The infants were buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian, where their epitaphs survive. [110] Marcus had grown tired of his exercises, of taking positions in imaginary debates. [126] Marcus steadied himself: 'One man prays: 'How I may not lose my little child', but you must pray: 'How I may not be afraid to lose him'. Marcus Aurelius, in full Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, original name (until 161 ce) Marcus Annius Verus, (born April 26, 121 ce, Rome [Italy]—died March 17, 180, Vindobona [Vienna, Austria] or Sirmium, Pannonia), Roman emperor (161–180 ce), best known for his Meditations on Stoic philosophy. Indeed, at his accession, Marcus transferred part of his mother's estate to his nephew, Ummius Quadratus. [78], On 1 January 145, Marcus was made consul a second time. [263], Experienced governors had been replaced by friends and relatives of the imperial family. Read 151 Best Marcus Aurelius Quotes … He may have been known as Marcus Annius Catilius Severus, at birth or some point in his youth, or Marcus Catilius Severus Annius Verus. This new impetus westwards was probably due to attacks from tribes further east. Marcus Maximus Aurelius is on Facebook. [89] Atticus was an inveterate opponent of Stoicism and philosophic pretensions. View the list Some people say I have attitude - maybe I do... but I think you have to. Reign (161–180 AD). He had rested, and would rest often, but 'this devotion to duty! But for my part, I admire him all the more for this very reason, that amid unusual and extraordinary difficulties he both survived himself and preserved the empire. [75] But he felt drowned in paperwork and complained to his tutor, Marcus Cornelius Fronto: 'I am so out of breath from dictating nearly thirty letters'. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (often referred to as "the wise") was Emperor of the Roman Empire from 161 to his death in 180. Marcus Aurelius - Marcus Aurelius - The Meditations: A more intimate contact with the thoughts pursued by Marcus during the troubling involvements of his reign, though not what would have been historically most valuable, his day-to-day political thoughts, can be acquired by reading the Meditations. Stertz, Stephen A. His father, Marcus Annius Verus III was a politician and a nobleman. [7] Some other literary sources provide specific details: the writings of the physician Galen on the habits of the Antonine elite, the orations of Aelius Aristides on the temper of the times, and the constitutions preserved in the Digest and Codex Justinianeus on Marcus's legal work. ', and 'The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.' And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” Marcus Aurelius: Ah, yes. The new establishment, however, was largely of municipal and provincial origin—as were its emperors—cultivating sobriety and good works and turning more and more to piety and religiosity. It was replaced with a statue of Saint Paul in 1589 by Pope Sixtus V.[321] The column of Marcus and the column of Trajan are often compared by scholars given how they are both Doric in style, had a pedestal at the base, had sculpted friezes depicting their respective military victories, and a statue on top.[322]. His health was so poor that, during a ceremony to mark his becoming heir to the throne, he was too weak to lift a large shield on his own. Birley, 'Hadrian to the Antonines', p. 164, citing H. Mattingly. );[71] direct evidence for membership, however, is available only for the Arval Brethren. Marcus Aurelio "Maximus" Born: 1973-08-18 AGE: 47 Fortaleza, Ceara Brazil. Ah, yes, I remember. In particular, he meditates at length on the virtues of the emperor Antoninus Pius, his adoptive father. There was, however, much precedent. Quoting from Kaufman’s Introduction, “if the Meditations were simply another tract of mainstream Stoicism, it would likely not have emerged as a revered classic. [112], Fronto had warned Marcus against the study of philosophy early on: 'It is better never to have touched the teaching of philosophy...than to have tasted it superficially, with the edge of the lips, as the saying is'. Marcus Aurelius : Maximus, that is why it must be you. Realize this, and you will find strength. [85] He had three tutors in Greek – Aninus Macer, Caninius Celer, and Herodes Atticus – and one in Latin – Fronto. Marcus probably would have opted for travel and further education instead. The transition was smooth as far as Marcus was concerned; already possessing the essential constitutional powers, he stepped automatically into the role of full emperor (and his name henceforth was Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus). [185][note 13] In other times of famine, the emperors are said to have provided for the Italian communities out of the Roman granaries. Marcus Aurelius: Tell me again, Maximus, why are we here? He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors, and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire. Marcus Aurelius was one of the most important Stoic philosophers, cited by H.P. He might have died in 152, the same year as Marcus's sister Cornificia. Birley, 'Hadrian to the Antonines', p. 163, citing. Marcus and Lucius gave the crisis their personal attention. [228][note 16] Libo died early in the war; perhaps Lucius had murdered him. But the emaciation is still extreme and there is still quite a bit of coughing'. He was immediately deified and his ashes were returned to Rome, where they rested in Hadrian's mausoleum (modern Castel Sant'Angelo) until the Visigoth sack of the city in 410. Únete a Facebook para conectar con Marcus Aurelius Maximus y otras personas que quizá conozcas. In 161 Syria was invaded by the Parthians, a major power to the east. [209], Marcus took a four-day public holiday at Alsium, a resort town on the coast of Etruria. [74], As quaestor, Marcus would have had little real administrative work to do. His father was Marcus Annius Verus (III). It is … [22] Through his grandmother Rupilia, Marcus was a member of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty; the emperor Trajan's sororal niece Salonia Matidia was the mother of Rupilia and her half-sister, Hadrian's wife Sabina. [294][295], Christians such as Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, and Eusebius also gave him the title. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next. Antoninus may have already been ill.[133], Two days before his death, the biographer reports, Antoninus was at his ancestral estate at Lorium, in Etruria,[142] about 19 kilometres (12 mi) from Rome. The senate would soon grant him the name Augustus and the title imperator, and he would soon be formally elected as Pontifex Maximus, chief priest of the official cults. III'. [231] Marcus moved up the date; perhaps he had already heard of Lucius's mistress Panthea. Lucius had a markedly different personality from Marcus: he enjoyed sports of all kinds, but especially hunting and wrestling; he took obvious pleasure in the circus games and gladiatorial fights. [207] M. Annius Libo, Marcus's first cousin, was sent to replace the Syrian governor. His condition did not improve, and he abandoned the diet prescribed by his doctors, indulging himself in food and drink. He was stronger and healthier than Marcus, the argument went, and thus more suited to military activity. [199] Marcus was unprepared. Marcus, with his preference for the philosophic life, found the imperial office unappealing. When the emperor suspected that there was … He was portrayed by the late Richard Harris in the 2000 film Gladiator.. Twelve Year … [316] The oldest surviving complete manuscript copy is in the Vatican library and dates to the 14th century. Question: "What impact did Marcus Aurelius have on Christian history?" Yü, Ying-shih. Marcus Aurelius was chosen by Emporer Hadrian to be his eventual successor. Marcus Aurelius died on 17th March 180 AD. [39] Marcus was grateful that he did not have to live with her longer than he did. Many emperors had planned a joint succession in the past: The biographer relates the scurrilous (and, in the judgment of Anthony Birley, untrue) rumor that Commodus was an illegitimate child born of a union between Faustina and a gladiator. He would criticize himself in the Meditations for 'abusing court life' in front of company. He told himself it was an attainable goal – 'Where life is possible, then it is possible to live the right life; life is possible in a palace, so it is possible to live the right life in a palace'[73] – but he found it difficult nonetheless. The hope has become a reality. Maximus is trusted by Marcus Aurelius above all men because his excellence as a general doesn’t compromise his commitment to his family with ambition. Rome is to be a Republic again. Marcus Aurelius. [173], Marcus replaced a number of the empire's major officials. He found it difficult to keep himself upright without stays. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? '[178] Fronto called on Marcus alone; neither thought to invite Lucius. "[292], Michael Grant, in The Climax of Rome, writes of Commodus:[293], The youth turned out to be very erratic, or at least so anti-traditional that disaster was inevitable. Emperor Marcus Aurelius tells Maximus that his own son, Commodus, is unfit to rule, and that he wishes Maximus to succeed him, as regent, to help save Rome from corruption and restore the Roman Republic. Hadrian died that year and Antoninus became emperor. Champlin, 'Chronology of Fronto', p. 138. [136][note 8] He did not marry until 164. A great memorable quote from the Gladiator movie on Quotes.net - Maximus: You sent for me, Caesar? [288], Marcus was succeeded by his son Commodus, whom he had named Caesar in 166 and with whom he had jointly ruled since 177. [153][note 9] It was the first time that Rome was ruled by two emperors. [275] In 168, he revalued the denarius, increasing the silver purity from 79% to 82% – the actual silver weight increasing from 2.57–2.67 g (0.091–0.094 oz). The child's name is unknown. [270] He took great care in the theory and practice of legislation. Then another: the girl alone. 'The Roman Empire as Known to Han China'. [281], The Antonine Plague started in Mesopotamia in 165 or 166 at the end of Lucius's campaign against the Parthians. While on campaign between 170 and 180, Marcus wrote his Meditations in Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. Citations to the works of Fronto are cross-referenced to C.R. [115], Apollonius may have introduced Marcus to Stoic philosophy, but Quintus Junius Rusticus would have the strongest influence on the boy. Attitude Believe In Yourself Yourself. As the biographer wrote, 'No one missed the lenient ways of Pius'. [127] He quoted from the Iliad what he called the 'briefest and most familiar saying...enough to dispel sorrow and fear':[128]. It is the private thoughts of the world’s most powerful man giving advice to himself on how to make good on the responsibilities and obligations of his positions. Blavatsky amongst famous classic sages and writers such as Plato, Eu- ripides, Socrates, Aristophanes, Pindar, Plutarch, Isocrates, Diodorus, Cicero, and Epictetus. His children included Lucilla, who married Lucius, and Commodus, whose succession after Marcus has been a subject of debate among both contemporary and modern historians. “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. His campaigns against Germans and Sarmatians were also commemorated by a column and a temple built in Rome. Lucius Dasumius Tullius Tuscus, a distant relative of Hadrian, was in Upper Pannonia, succeeding the experienced Marcus Nonius Macrinus. He served as Roman consul in 140, 145, and 161. In 164, a new capital, Kaine Polis ('New City'), replaced Artaxata. At Hadrian's request, Antoninus's daughter Faustina was betrothed to Lucius. Find on Amazon: Marcus Aurelius. Ver los perfiles de las personas que se llaman Marcus Aurelius Maximus. [98] The pair were very close, using intimate language such as 'Farewell my Fronto, wherever you are, my most sweet love and delight. However, although he was granted the name Augustus and the title imperator , and was elected Pontifex Maximus , Marcus appears to have taken these positions with some hesitation, having to be compelled to do so. [141] In 160, Marcus and Lucius were designated joint consuls for the following year. [267], The Costoboci, coming from the Carpathian area, invaded Moesia, Macedonia, and Greece. Who knows better than you how demanding it is! [305] Their children included: Except where otherwise noted, the notes below indicate that an individual's parentage is as shown in the above family tree. [300] The number and severity of persecutions of Christians in various locations of the empire seemingly increased during the reign of Marcus. Dio adds that from Marcus's first days as counsellor to Antoninus to his final days as emperor of Rome, "he remained the same [person] and did not change in the least. The Column and Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius still stand in Rome, where they were erected in celebration of his military victories. [40], Marcus was educated at home, in line with contemporary aristocratic trends;[41] he thanks Catilius Severus for encouraging him to avoid public schools. Join Facebook to connect with Marcus Maximus Aurelius and others you may know. [52] As part of his adoption, Commodus took the name, Lucius Aelius Caesar. Instead, Marcus was in the care of 'nurses',[36] and was raised after his father's death by his grandfather Marcus Annius Verus (II), who had always retained the legal authority of patria potestas over his son and grandson. Marcus Aurelius. Aurelius worked as Roman consul in 140, 145 CE, and 161 CE. He and Faustina, Marcus wrote, had been 'pretty occupied' with the girl's care. Galen, who was in Rome when the plague spread to the city in 166,[282] mentioned that 'fever, diarrhoea, and inflammation of the pharynx, along with dry or pustular eruptions of the skin after nine days' were among the symptoms. Although Marcus disliked the Christians, there was no systematic persecution of them during his reign. They did not survive long. Answer: Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (AD 121—180) was a Roman emperor (161—180) and Stoic philosopher.He may be best known in pop culture as the father of the villainous emperor Commodus, the antagonist in the 2000 film Gladiator.He is known in other circles as the author of Meditations, a guide … Fronto exercised a complete mastery of Latin, capable of tracing expressions through the literature, producing obscure synonyms, and challenging minor improprieties in word choice. [106] Fronto replied that he was surprised to discover Marcus counted Atticus as a friend (perhaps Atticus was not yet Marcus's tutor), and allowed that Marcus might be correct,[107] but nonetheless affirmed his intent to win the case by any means necessary: '[T]he charges are frightful and must be spoken of as frightful.