Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius, a stoic philosopher and the last of the "Five Good Emperors," reigned the Roman Empire from 161 to 180 AD. During his rule, the empire fought a revived Parthian Empire in the east, and in central Europe, he won the Marcomannic Wars against the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatians, just as the threat posed by the Germanic tribes was beginning to become a serious concern. Aurelius put an end to a potential uprising in the east that was being headed by Avidius Cassius before it could get out of hand.

Marcus Aurelius was a remarkable philosopher and author. His stoic work Meditations, which he wrote in Greek while on a campaign between 170 and 180 AD, is still regarded as a literary monument to the philosophy of service and duty. It explains how to find and maintain composure during a conflict by looking to nature for inspiration and guidance.

Within his lifetime, Marcus Aurelius had a reputation as a philosopher king; the moniker would continue after his passing as he became known as "the Philosopher."

Lifespan: April 121 AD - 17 March, 180 AD