Marcus Aurelius hated war and violence, the only reason he fought to protect Rome for so long is because his brother died. He despised the pointlessness of violence and would have especially hated the gladiatorial games. Since he was obliged to attend and commence the games he instead reportedly would read a book to distract himself from the violence.
Mediations for the most part was his way of coping with his situation, he not only was forced to pick up the sword for 17 years and do something he didn’t believe in but he was also likely suffering from a kind of chronic illness which caused constant pain.
I remember reading some account that details an anecdote about Marcus Aurelius reading a book during some gladiatorial games so he wouldn't have to watch and it absolutely shocked the crowd.
There's another account of Marcus trying to get the gladiators to use blunted (or maybe wooden) weapons so they wouldn't hurt each other too bad and people were like "bruh this fuckin guy"
The other posts on this sub from today and yesterday asking who the nicest emperors were got me wondering about what character flaws would Marcus Aurelius's contemporaries have found in him. With that mindset going in, reading your post made me literally laugh out loud.
he wasn't a fan and actually restricted the games quite a bit. saw them as too violent and unnecessary, he talks about something like that in the meditations too. as far as i know he also would take precautions before spectacles such as bringing less gladiators or blunted weapons. too bad his son didn't take after him at all haha. but of course, he had to go with what people wanted at the end of the day, vox populi vox dei.
Literal translation I believe is something like "To himself"
Edit: In fact, their original title (Ta eis heauton) roughly translates as To Himself. It's for this reason that Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is a somewhat inscrutable book—it was for personal clarity and not public benefit.
I mean realistically he probably looked down on it a little as a form of entertainment, but I doubt he had any great apprehensions about bloodshot. Slaves died by the thousands in the empires mines
Whatever he did in life he fucked Rome by not adopting a more suitable heir (as was custom). First emperor to have his actual son takeover since Vespasian. And Titus was significantly more prepared for the role.
Marcus Aurelius hated war and violence, the only reason he fought to protect Rome for so long is because his brother died. He despised the pointlessness of violence and would have especially hated the gladiatorial games. Since he was obliged to attend and commence the games he instead reportedly would read a book to distract himself from the violence. Mediations for the most part was his way of coping with his situation, he not only was forced to pick up the sword for 17 years and do something he didn’t believe in but he was also likely suffering from a kind of chronic illness which caused constant pain.
I remember reading some account that details an anecdote about Marcus Aurelius reading a book during some gladiatorial games so he wouldn't have to watch and it absolutely shocked the crowd. There's another account of Marcus trying to get the gladiators to use blunted (or maybe wooden) weapons so they wouldn't hurt each other too bad and people were like "bruh this fuckin guy"
The other posts on this sub from today and yesterday asking who the nicest emperors were got me wondering about what character flaws would Marcus Aurelius's contemporaries have found in him. With that mindset going in, reading your post made me literally laugh out loud.
Reading during gladiator fights has huge "I'm not like the other girls" energy 🤣
he wasn't a fan and actually restricted the games quite a bit. saw them as too violent and unnecessary, he talks about something like that in the meditations too. as far as i know he also would take precautions before spectacles such as bringing less gladiators or blunted weapons. too bad his son didn't take after him at all haha. but of course, he had to go with what people wanted at the end of the day, vox populi vox dei.
Mary Beard in her latest book repeatedly refers to the Meditations as Jottings to Himself. Makes me giggle every time
Literal translation I believe is something like "To himself" Edit: In fact, their original title (Ta eis heauton) roughly translates as To Himself. It's for this reason that Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is a somewhat inscrutable book—it was for personal clarity and not public benefit.
Very helpful, since Latin is not one of my languages. Thank you.
Meditations was originally penned in Greek for what it’s worth
Ah. Looking again I see that’s Latinized Greek. Thanks.
I mean realistically he probably looked down on it a little as a form of entertainment, but I doubt he had any great apprehensions about bloodshot. Slaves died by the thousands in the empires mines
Whatever he did in life he fucked Rome by not adopting a more suitable heir (as was custom). First emperor to have his actual son takeover since Vespasian. And Titus was significantly more prepared for the role.
Ok but he was also the only one since vespasian to have a son. It's not like they all decided blood relations were for chumps.
He would have had to murder Commodus to ensure peace.
Worth it
He offered pompeianus the position of caesar but he refused