Marcus Aurelius Book One and Two Philiosophy

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Essay 1 – Marcus Aurelius BOOK ONE and BOOK TWO Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, more commonly known as Marcus Aurelius, was a Roman Emperor from 121 to 180 AD. During 161 to 169 he was a co-emperor with Lucius Verus. Marcus Aurelius was said to be the last of the five good emperors of Rome. In the fifty-nine years that he was an emperor, Marcus did many things with the best interests of Rome in mind. His empire defeated the Parthian Empire in the East, took over the capital of Ctesiphon, also won the Marcomannic War, and suppressed a revolt in the East that was led by Avidius Cassius. Being considered one of the most important Stoic philosophers wrote Meditations between 170 and 180 AD, to this day it is still seen and a great source for inspiration and guidance. (Wikipedia, 2015) Book One of Meditations focuses on the important people in Marcus’ life that seemed to teach him life lessons. His mother wanted to make sure that he didn’t pick up the bad habits of the rich and lived a simple life. The governor taught him to stay out of people’s life, not to pick a political party, and have endurance in labor. Severus, Marcus’ brother, showed him how to love everyone. To love his family and the truth even to love the justice system. In book one he thanks the Gods the most for blessing him with good family and fortune. (Aurelius, n.d.) Book Two in The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius is about how to live your life. It is from the wisdom that his grandfather, Verus, taught him as he was growing up. “Every moment think steadily as a Roman and a man to do what thou hast in hand with perfect and simple dignity, and feeling of affection, and freedom, and justice; and to give thyself relief from all other thoughts. And thou wilt give thyself relief, if thou doest every act of thy life as if it were the last, laying aside all carelessness and passionate aversion from the

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