Meditations

MEDITATIONS

By Marcus Aurelius

MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS THE ROMAN EMPEROR

BOOKS

INTRODUCTION

HIS FIRST BOOK

THE SECOND BOOK

THE THIRD BOOK

THE FOURTH BOOK

THE FIFTH BOOK

THE SIXTH BOOK

THE SEVENTH BOOK

THE EIGHTH BOOK

THE NINTH BOOK

THE TENTH BOOK

THE ELEVENTH BOOK

THE TWELFTH BOOK

APPENDIX

NOTES

GLOSSARY

INTRODUCTION

MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS was born on April 26, A.D. 121. His real name was M.

Annius Verus, and he was sprung of a noble family which claimed descent from

Numa, second King of Rome. Thus the most religious of emperors came of the

blood of the most pious of early kings. His father, Annius Verus, had held high

office in Rome, and his grandfather, of the same name, had been thrice Consul.

Both his parents died young, but Marcus held them in loving remembrance. On his

father's death Marcus was adopted by his grandfather, the consular Annius

Verus, and there was deep love between these two. On the very first page of his

book Marcus gratefully declares how of his grandfather he had learned to be

gentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. The Emperor Hadrian

divined the fine character of the lad, whom he used to call not Verus but

Verissimus, more Truthful than his own name. He advanced Marcus to equestrian

rank when six years of age, and at the age of eight made him a member of the

ancient Salian priesthood. The boy's aunt, Annia Galeria Faustina, was married

to Antoninus Pius, afterwards emperor. Hence it came about that Antoninus,

having no son, adopted Marcus, changing his name to that which he is known by,

and betrothed him to his daughter Faustina. His education was conducted with

all care. The ablest teachers were engaged for him, and he was trained in…