Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD, is best known as a philosopher-king and the author of “Meditations” (also known as “Gânduri către sine însuși”). As the last of the Five Good Emperors, he presided over Rome during a period marked by war, plague, and political upheaval. Despite these challenges, Marcus devoted much of his time to stoicism, a philosophy centered on self-discipline, rationality, and virtue. His writings, originally meant for personal use, reveal a deep commitment to inner peace and moral clarity amidst the demands of leadership and governance.

Born in 121 AD, Marcus Aurelius was adopted by Emperor Antoninus Pius and raised in a privileged, yet intellectually rigorous environment. He studied under some of the best philosophers of his time and eventually developed his unique approach to stoicism. His work remains one of the most influential texts in the Western philosophical tradition, guiding readers in the pursuit of a virtuous life grounded in self-control and acceptance of life’s impermanence.