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I have learned From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but

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Born on April 26, 121 AD at Rome. Parents were Annius Verus and Domitia Lucilla ... The Internet Classics Archive. January 7, 2002. http://classics.mit.edu ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: I have learned From my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but


1
Marcus Aurelius
  • (I have learned) From my mother, piety and
    beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil
    deeds, but even from evil thoughts and further,
    simplicity in my way of living, far removed from
    the habits of the rich.
  • --Marcus Aurelius

Ben S. 1/11/01 I, Caesar Mr. Burnett, H
2
The Life of Marcus Aurelius
  • Born on April 26, 121 AD at Rome
  • Parents were Annius Verus and Domitia Lucilla
  • Adopted by Antoninus Pius
  • Started joint rule with Lucius Verus on March 7,
    161 AD
  • Lucius dies in Jan/Feb of 169 AD
  • Commodus appointed co-emperor in 177 AD
  • Marcus Aurelius died March 17, 180 AD

3
Childhood
  • Born in his mothers garden villa on Caelian
    Hill on April 26, 121
  • His father died when he was about three years old
    and was adopted by his grandfather Marcus Annius
    Verus who was thrice consul
  • Caught the eye of Hadrian in his younger years
  • Hadrian enrolled him in the equestrian order,
    betrothed him to Ceionia Fabia, daughter of
    Lucius Ceionius Commodus
  • As son-in law of intended successor Marcus
    Aurelius boosted to a high political position

4
Early Politics
  • When Commodus dies before he can succede, a plan
    was made that Antoninus Pius would be successor
    and he would adopt Marcus Aurelius
  • The adoption took place on February 25, 138 and
    Marcuss name changed from Marcus Annius Verus to
    Marcus Aelius Aurelius Verus
  • Marcus Aurelius became very close with Antoninus
    Pius
  • He shared the work in office and became consul at
    the age of 18

5
Early Politics (cont.)
  • Antoninus shared the same affection and gave
    Marcus Aurelius the name Caesar and also
    betrothed him to his own daughter, Annia Galeria
    Faustina, breaking off the engagement to Ceionia
    Fabia
  • It was noted that Antoninus Pius liked Marcus
    Aurelius better than his other adopted son,
    Lucius Verus
  • When Antoninus Pius died on March 7, 161, Marcus
    Aurelius and Lucius Verus were arranged to have a
    joint succession

6
Family Life
  • Married Annia Galeria Faustina, daughter of
    Antoninus Pius, on April/May of 145 AD
  • When married Marcus Aurelius was 24 and she was
    only 15
  • Over their thirty years of marriage they had 14
    children but only 6 lived past childhood
  • One son, Commodus, and five daughters
  • One of his daughters, Lucilla, married his joint
    ruler Lucius Verus

7
Joint Rule of Rome
  • Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus first became
    consul leaders then were claimed emperors by the
    Praetorian guard
  • When starting succession Lucius received Marcuss
    family name Verus
  • The joint rule was far from peaceful as plague
    and famine stuck Rome as well as problems in the
    east

8
The Wars of Marcus Aurelius
  • Marcus Aurelius was in war for sixteen of his
    twenty years of rule
  • The wars were the Parthian War, the war with
    Germanic tribes, and the revolt of the Syrian
    governor, Gaius Avidius Cassius

9
The Parthian War (161-166 AD)
  • The tensions between Parthia started long before
    Marcus Aurelius since the two empires share a
    border
  • After Antoninuss death, Vologaeses III, the
    Parthian Monarch, struck immediately
  • Marcus Aurelius sent Lucius Versus into the
    action
  • Many great generals such as Avidius Cassius
    stormed and destroyed the major cities and
    strongholds of Parthia
  • By 166 AD, Rome had conquered Parthia it was
    said it was the greatest victory since Trajan

10
The Parthian War (161-166)
11
The German Wars (169-180)
  • In 169 AD, the Marcomanni and Quadi crossed into
    Italy which caused fear throughout the population
    of the peninsula
  • The two emperors rushed to the north where Lucius
    died and Marcus Aurelius because single and
    absolute leader
  • Marcus was able to force the Germanic tribes out
    of Italy but the threat of invasion remained
    until Marcuss death in 180 AD

12
The Revolt of Cassius
  • Word reached Marcus Aurelius in the spring of 175
    AD that the governor of Syria, Avidius Cassius
    had claimed power for himself
  • This was started by the incorrect rumor that
    Marcus Aurelius had died
  • On his way to Rome Cassius was murdered by
    soldiers loyal to Marcus Aurelius

13
Problems at Home
  • A plague came with the soldiers returning from
    the eastern wars
  • The plague spread through the Romans quickly and
    killed thousands and did not settle down till 10
    years into Commoduss reign

14
Coin Page (Front)
  • The front of this coin is the traditional head of
    the emperor
  • From the front we can tell that this coin was
    made after the rule with Lucius Verus and before
    the joint rule with his son, Commodus

15
Coin Page (Back)
  • The back of the coin shows the conquering of
    Parthia, with the inscription VIC PAR on the
    shield
  • Vic Par in short for Victa Parthia which means
    Parthia having been conquered
  • The figure on the coin is Athena holding shield
    in one hand and wheat in the other in the
    position know as the victory stand

16
Buildings
  • Since Marcus Aurelius was away for a good part of
    his reign there was little advancement in
    building
  • Two of his works were the Aurelian Column and the
    Triumphal Arch
  • The column (right) was 100 roman feet and modeled
    after Trajans Column built years earlier

17
Death
  • Marcus Aurelius died on March 7, 180 AD
  • He had a long successful rule while protecting
    the empire
  • His son, Commodus became ruler
  • Adored by the people Marcus Aurelius was a model
    emperor

18
Bibliography
  • Scarre, Chris. Chronicles of the Roman Emperors.
    London Thames and Hudson, Inc., 1995.
  • This is a great, insightful book for anyone who
    has a remote interest in roman emperors.
  • Marcus Aurelius. Benario, Herbert W. 2001. Emory
    University. January 7, 2002. lthttp//www.roman-emp
    erors.org/marcaur.htmgt
  • This site is the best site on the internet for
    finding information on Roman Emperors

19
Bibliography (cont.)
  • The Meditations. Marcus Aurelius translated by
    George Long. 2002. The Internet Classics Archive.
    January 7, 2002. lthttp//classics.mit.edugt
  • This is a great site of the translated
    meditations for all those Marcus Aurelius fans.
  • Coins of Rome about Parthia. Edward C. D.
    Hopkins. 28 March 1998. January 7, 2002.
    lthttp//www.parthia.comgt
  • This site is great for finding coins and art on
    Roman Emperors.
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