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Abraham Lincoln claimed that the best way to test a man's character was to give him power. Surely, Marcus Aurelius's golden reign over the Roman Empire, A.D. 161 to A.D. 180, was such a test. Although this well-educated pagan despised wars and battles, "barbarian" tribes constantly besieged his empire on the Asian and German borders. As a result, he spent eight miserable winters camped by the frozen Danube River acting as commander-in-chief over his triumphant armies. During those gloomy nights, he wrote many of the meditations that appear in this excellent translation.

The lack of arrogance or self-pity in his ruminations offers proof that Aurelius passed Lincoln's test of character with flying colors. Furthermore, the best way to test a person's writing is to give it time. Once again, Aurelius aced the test. For example, contemporary world leaders would do well to heed his advice under the heading "Talking and Being": "Stop talking about what the good person should be, and just be that person." Most of these quotes are similarly brief as he extols the virtues of working hard, not acting impulsively, and living in communion with the natural world. Like Thich Nhat Hanh and Kahlil Gilbran, Marcus Aurelius is an accessible writer of lasting spiritual integrity. --Gail Hudson Book Description

Written as a personal diary for spiritual development, Marcus Aurelius's "meditations" were not meant for publication nor posterity, yet the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher has provided inspiration and guidance for more than eighteen centuries.  Now, after nearly two thousand years, Mark Forster has adapted the ideas and principles relevant to the Roman world of the second century and has made them accessible to the twenty-first-century reader.

Customer Reviews (9)

Wonderful Little Book
Although the founder of Stoicism was Zeno of Citium (circa 333 B.C.), this philosophy had a far reaching influence on the Roman Empire and even Christianity. Marcus Aurelius (161-180 A.D.), mentoree of the Great Emperor, Hadrian, mentor, was the closest to what Plato refers to in his book, The Republic, as The Philosopher King. When thinking of Stoicism we never think of Zeno, but Marcus Aurelius.

Aurelius' text, Meditations, is just as relevant today as it was at the time the philosopher Emperor sat in his tent in the freezing cold with his soliders battling the encroaching 'Barbarians', far from his beloved Rome.

What Mark Forstater has compiled is Aurelius' writings from Meditations in particular catagories, such as "The Cruelty of Anger, "Conceptions of Good", "Meeting Challenges" and my favourite at the moment, as office politics is currently rampant at work, " Social Unity"

"Since you are an integral part of a social system, let every act of yours contribute to the harmonization of social life. Any action that is not related directly or remotely to this social aim disturbs your life, and destroys your unity." (P.105)

Advice that, for me, at least, put the situation(s) in there proper perspective. Do not add to the dis-unity but aim for a concensus, a harmony that all or most can live with.

As an undergraduate, fumbling around the smorgasbord of humanties courses, reading Meditations helped focus my mind towards finding that 'focus' and really begin to learn.

This is a wonderful book to simply "flick" through and discover some relevant advice on life, confrontation, what is the right way to live, love and the soul.

Not Bad
This book received a lot of bad reviews which I don't think it deserved. First of all it is a modern translation of Aurelius--so therefore a little--I should say--a lot more understandable to a modern day reader. And after having read other more literate versions--I don't think much is lost here. The fact Marcus Aurelius has a lot to say to us today--strangly enough--more so than the people of his own era. The into could have been shorter--but the meat of this book (the sayings) is more than worth the price!

An Excellent Bargain
I almost didn't buy this audio cassette since many previous reviewers panned it. I'm very glad I did buy it. If you are looking for a scholarly work on Marcus Aurelius, this isn't it, sorry. Rather consider it more of a primer on the teachings or Marcus Aurelius. I particularly like to listen to it on the way to work. I didn't find it that different from what I had read in the Penguin classics edition, merely abridged. So, if you want a good taste of what The Stoic emperor was all about, give it a listen. You won't be disappointed.

Waste of Money
The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius by Mark Forstater is not a book recommended for any serious student of Stoic teachings.The book contains no actual text from Aurelius' teachings or meditations, rather it contains only Mr. Forstater's thoughts on what Marcus Aurelius was thinking. Furthermore, since Mr. Forstater is not any type of noted scholar in stoicism, I don't understand what prompted him to tackle such an important historical figure. The book would have had much more value to me had it contained actual translations of Aurelius'teachings but unfortunately it didn't even exceed that hurdle.

An uninformed, trivial cash-in on the self-help market
Forstater's book is either an uninformed and trivial glance at one of the masterworks of Western philosophy or a quick-and-dirty attempt to cash in on the self-help market.

Forstater says, in the third paragraph of the preface, "Marcus Aurelius wrote a book of "spiritualexercises" for himself that was in effect the first self-help book ever written."This demonstrates that he never studied Epictetus's Encheiridion; the title itself meaning "ready at hand" or "handbook" in contemporary speech.

This disappointing book is written in two parts. Part One, as said, is a trivial glance at the history and meaning of the Stoa.Part Two consists of some selections from the adequate, Victorian era translation by George Long.These selections have been transliterated into colloquial American with Forstarter's own subjective, subject titles and no references to the original work, such as "Med. XII.1."

Save your money and download the G. Long translation from the net or buy the C. R. Haines translation from Harvard (Loeb Classical Library,) or even the Penguin edition. ... Read more

Book Description
Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor from AD 161 to 180, is renowned for his just rule at home and for his long frontier wars. But his lasting claim to fame rests on the work known as the Meditations - a bedside book of reflections and self-admonitions composed in Greek (the language of philosophy) during his last years and partly while on campaign. These sparse notes, intended for the author's eyes alone, give unique access to the mind of an ancient ruler; they also contain many passages of pungent epigram and poetic imagery. In this study, Dr Rutherford seeks to make the Meditations more approachable to the modern reader by explaining the historical and philosophical background, charting the main themes and tendencies of Marcus' thought, and relating stylistic detail to the intellectual and moral outlook of the author. ... Read more

Product Description
Marcus Aurelius an Emporer of Rom from 161-180 CE, his reign was marked by wars to defend both is Asian & German borders. During this time of war, camped by the frozen Danube, he spent the night writing a series of thoughts for himself. These thoughts known as meditations, were reminders to Marcus of the right way to live. Inspirational thoughts that are helpful today. ... Read more

Book Description
The first volume of its kind to bring together generous selections of the works of three of the great Stoic philosophers, Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. ... Read more

Book Description
"The Sages of Old Live Again in Us."With the aim of making the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius approachable for a contemporary reader, author Méric Casaubon introduces the historical and philosophical milieu that resulted in one of the remarkable philosophical classics of all time.Long remembered for his unmistakable wisdom and the golden age attributed to his peaceful rule, Marcus Aurelius was emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 A.D. According to Casaubon, "truly a rare opportunity was given to Marcus Aurelius of showing what the mind can do in despite of circumstances. [He was the] most peaceful of warriors, a magnificent monarch whose ideal was quiet happiness in home life, yet born to greatness . . ."The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius is as vital today as it ever was. No other philosopher shows us more clearly what it means to cultivate a peaceful mind in the face of everything that life throws our way. AUTHOR BIO: Florence Étienne Méric Casaubon (1599-1671) was a classical scholar and a renowned editor of antiquarian books; the son of the English theologian Isaac Casaubon (1559-1614), he edited his father's greatest work, Ephemerides. Méric Casaubon is also the author of True and Faithful Relation, a diary of séances. ... Read more

Book Description

Three of Plato's dialogues, Apology, Phaedo and Crito which epitomize the Socratic question-and-answer style turned philosophy, with the inevitable conclusion of Socrates' death.

Product Description
The reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180 A. D.) marked the close of the good period of the Antonine emperors, under whom Rome reached the height of her imperial dominion and administrative efficiency. This book contains the writings of [Marcus Aurelius and] three men of the period, each eminent in his own circle at Rome, which illustrate for us the conflict of beliefs that is a characteristic feature of the age.Comprised of: Meditations (Aurelius)Hermotimus~Icaromenippus (Lucian), Dialogue with Trypho~First Apology (Justin Martyr) and selections from Marius the Epicurean (Walter Pater). ... Read more

Book Description

"Davies sets out to ask, How did the Romans bury Caesar? And with what monuments did they sing his praises? . . . The architectural elaboration of these structures, their siting in the capital, the lines of vision and approaches that exposed them to view, the paths their complex outworks formed for visitors to walk, are all picked out with skill and presented with care in Death and the Emperor."

—Times Literary Supplement

"This concise and lucidly written book is a very valuable new contribution to the studies of Roman imperial cult, political propaganda, and topography, and has the added benefit of discussing complex scholarly disputes in a manner that the non-specialist will probably follow with ease. . . . There is material in this volume that will be immensely useful to researchers in many areas: archaeology, history of architecture, iconography, history of religion, and Roman political propaganda, to name just a few. I strongly recommend it to scholars interested in any or all of the above topics."

—Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"Even though its focus is on only seven specimens of architecture, the book touches upon a broad array of aspects of Roman imperial culture. Elegantly written and generously illustrated . . . this book should be of great interest to the general public as well as to the scholarly community."

—American Journal of Archaeology

Book Description
THE MEDITATIONS OF MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS

by Marcus Aurelius Antonius

translated by George Long

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (Rome, April 26, 121[2] â€" Vindobona or Sirmium, March 17, 180) was Roman Emperor from 161 to his death in 180. He was the last of the "Five Good Emperors", and is also considered one of the most important stoic philosophers. ... Read more

Book Description
Contents Include - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus - The Philosophy of Antoninus - Meditations of Marcus Aurelius ... Read more

Product Description
With the aim of making the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius approachable for a contemporary reader, author Méric Casaubon introduces the historical and philosophical milieu that resulted in one of the remarkable philosophical classics of all time. Long remembered for his unmistakable wisdom and the golden age attributed to his peaceful rule, Marcus Aurelius was emperor of Rome from 161 to 180 A.D. According to Casaubon, "truly a rare opportunity was given to Marcus Aurelius of showing what the mind can do in despite of circumstances. [He was the] most peaceful of warriors, a magnificent monarch whose ideal was quiet happiness in home life, yet born to greatness . . ." The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius is as vital today as it ever was. No other philosopher shows us more clearly what it means to cultivate a peaceful mind in the face of everything that life throws our way. ... Read more

Product Description
Long’s Translation Edited By EDWIN GINNDownload Description
Long's Translation Edited By Edwin Ginn. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Translation
Wisdom abounds in this edition of Aurelius work.Simply a book that must be on every shelf of anyone who calls himself a serious thinker! ... Read more