A COMPANION TO MARCUS AURELIUSConsidered the last of the "Five Good Emperors," Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire from ad 161 until his death in 180 - yet his influence on philosophy continues to resonate in the modern age through his Meditations. A Companion to Marcus Aurelius presents the first comprehensive collection of essays to explore all essential facets relating to contemporary Marcus Aurelius studies. Featuring contributions from top international scholars in relevant fields, initial readings provide an overview of source material by addressing such topics as manuscript transmission, historical written sources, archaeological evidence, artifacts, and coins. Readings continue with state-of-the-art discussions of various aspects of Marcus Aurelius - his personal biography; political, cultural, and intellectual background; and aspects of his role as emperor, reformer of administration, military leader, and lawgiver. His Meditations are analyzed in detail, including the form of the book, his way of writing, and the various aspects of his philosophy. The final series of readings addresses evolving aspects of his reception. A Companion to Marcus Aurelius offers important new insights on a figure of late antiquity whose unique voice has withstood the centuries to influence contemporary life.

List of Figures ixNotes on Contributors xiPreface xviiList of Abbreviations xixThe Study of Marcus Aurelius: Introduction 1Marcel van AckerenPart I The Main Sources 111 Cassius Dio and the Historia Augusta 13Anthony R. Birley2 Archaeological Evidence of the Marcomannic Wars of Marcus Aurelius (AD 166-80) 29Thomas Fischer3 The Meditations 45Matteo Ceporina4 Marcus Aurelius' Letters 62Pascale Fleury5 Epigraphic Records 77Péter KovácsPart II Biography and Background 936 The Political State of the Roman Empire 95Werner Eck7 Cultural and Intellectual Background and Development 110Leofranc Holford-Strevens8 Early Life: Family, Youth, and Education 139Anthony R. Birley9 Marcus' Life as Emperor 155Anthony R. Birley10 The Relation of Politics and Philosophy under Marcus Aurelius 171Lukas de BloisPart III Marcus the Emperor 18311 Administration and Jurisdiction in Rome and in the Provinces 185Werner Eck12 Religion in the Age of Marcus Aurelius 200Mark J. Edwards13 The Wars and Revolts 217Anthony R. Birley14 The Roman Empire after His Death 234Olivier HeksterPart IV Material Forms of Self-Representation 24915 The Column of Marcus Aurelius 251Martin Beckmann16 The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius 264Peter Stewart17 Coins 278Susanne Börner18 The Portraits: A Short Introduction 294Dietrich Boschung19 The Reliefs: Representation of Marcus Aurelius' Deeds 305Dietrich BoschungPart V Marcus the Philosopher 31520 The Form and Structure of the Meditations 317Jean-Baptiste Gourinat21 The Style of the Meditations 333Angelo Giavatto22 Aspects of Orality in (the Text of) the Meditations 346Michael Erler23 The Meditations as a (Philosophical) Autobiography 362Irmgard MEURannlein-Robert24 Marcus and Previous Stoic Literature 382Christopher Gill25 Marcus Aurelius on Physics 396David Sedley26 Logic and the Meditations 408Angelo Giavatto27 Ethics 420Jean-Baptiste Gourinat28 Social Ethics and Politics 437Gretchen Reydams-Schils29 The Meditations and the Ancient Art of Living 453John Sellars30 The Self in the Meditations 465Anthony A. LongPart VI Reception 48131 The Reception of the Philosopher-King in Antiquity and the Medieval Age 483Julia Bruch and Katrin Herrmann32 The Sanctification of Marcus Aurelius 497Amy Richlin33 Marcus Aurelius and Neostoicism in Early Modern Philosophy 515Jill Kraye34 Marcus Aurelius in Contemporary Philosophy 532John SellarsIndex 545