The Spiritual Teachings Of Marcus Aurelius

While camped by the frozen Danube River defending his empire against invading 'barbarian tribes,' Marcus Aurelius, emperor of Rome from A.D. 161 to 180 and one of the most influential of the Stoic philosophers, inscribed his thoughts on the right way to live. Written as a personal diary for spiritual development, his 'meditations' were not meant for publication but have provided inspiration and guidance for more than eighteen centuries.

Mark Forstater has adapted the ideas and principles relevant to the Roman world of the second century and made them accessible to twenty-first century readers. Selecting key meditations, he offers a contemporary reinterpretation of this influential philosopher. The book is arranged into thematic sections dealing with hope, tolerance, self-sufficiency, change, greed, discipline, reason, courage, and other topics that explore questions of human existence and how to live a better life.