The Philosopher-King of the Roman Empire: What Marcus Aurelius’ Private Writings Revealed
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How would you feel if your deepest, darkest, and most unedited thoughts were published for the entire world to see?
That’s exactly what happened to Marcus Aurelius, who also happened to be the most powerful person in the world.
In 161 AD, Marcus Aurelius became the Emperor of Roman Empire, where he basically had limitless power. He could’ve done almost anything he wanted and it would’ve justified as king, so it’s always been impressive to me that with the world in the palm of his hand, his primary focus was simple: To be a good person.
In his private writings, never intended to be shared with another soul, Marcus explored topics of justice, self-restraint, duty, and his own mortality. These raw and introspective thoughts have resonated so deeply that they became the seminole text of Stoicism, one of history's most influential philosophies.
In his Meditations, you see the inner struggles of a powerful leader who’s carrying a lot of responsibility. His conscience weighed heavy on him, and this text completely challenges the classic idea that “power only corrupts”.
What can we learn from this book of Marcus' unedited thoughts? That no matter how powerful someone might be, we all are facing uniquely human struggles and pain. Growth and transformation are possible, regardless of our positions in life.
So, if you ever wonder what it might feel like to be the most powerful person on earth, you just have to read Marcus’ Meditations to find out.