A Companion to Marcus Aurelius
Blackwell Companions to the Ancient World Series

Considered 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 ix

Notes on Contributors xi

Preface xvii

List of Abbreviations xix

The Study of Marcus Aurelius: Introduction 1
Marcel van Ackeren

Part I The Main Sources 11

1 Cassius Dio and the Historia Augusta 13
Anthony R. Birley

2 Archaeological Evidence of the Marcomannic Wars of Marcus Aurelius (AD 166–80) 29
Thomas Fischer

3 The Meditations 45
Matteo Ceporina

4 Marcus Aurelius’ Letters 62
Pascale Fleury

5 Epigraphic Records 77
Péter Kovács

Part II Biography and Background 93

6 The Political State of the Roman Empire 95
Werner Eck

7 Cultural and Intellectual Background and Development 110
Leofranc Holford-Strevens

8 Early Life: Family, Youth, and Education 139
Anthony R. Birley

9 Marcus’ Life as Emperor 155
Anthony R. Birley

10 The Relation of Politics and Philosophy under Marcus Aurelius 171
Lukas de Blois

Part III Marcus the Emperor 183

11 Administration and Jurisdiction in Rome and in the Provinces 185
Werner Eck

12 Religion in the Age of Marcus Aurelius 200
Mark J. Edwards

13 The Wars and Revolts 217
Anthony R. Birley

14 The Roman Empire after His Death 234
Olivier Hekster

Part IV Material Forms of Self-Representation 249

15 The Column of Marcus Aurelius 251
Martin Beckmann

16 The Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius 264
Peter Stewart

17 Coins 278
Susanne Börner

18 The Portraits: A Short Introduction 294
Dietrich Boschung

19 The Reliefs: Representation of Marcus Aurelius’ Deeds 305
Dietrich Boschung

Part V Marcus the Philosopher 315

20 The Form and Structure of the Meditations 317
Jean-Baptiste Gourinat

21 The Style of the Meditations 333
Angelo Giavatto

22 Aspects of Orality in (the Text of) the Meditations 346
Michael Erler

23 The Meditations as a (Philosophical) Autobiography 362
Irmgard M€annlein-Robert

24 Marcus and Previous Stoic Literature 382
Christopher Gill

25 Marcus Aurelius on Physics 396
David Sedley

26 Logic and the Meditations 408
Angelo Giavatto

27 Ethics 420
Jean-Baptiste Gourinat

28 Social Ethics and Politics 437
Gretchen Reydams-Schils

29 The Meditations and the Ancient Art of Living 453
John Sellars

30 The Self in the Meditations 465
Anthony A. Long

Part VI Reception 481

31 The Reception of the Philosopher-King in Antiquity and the Medieval Age 483
Julia Bruch and Katrin Herrmann

32 The Sanctification of Marcus Aurelius 497
Amy Richlin

33 Marcus Aurelius and Neostoicism in Early Modern Philosophy 515
Jill Kraye

34 Marcus Aurelius in Contemporary Philosophy 532
John Sellars

Index 545

THE EDITOR

Marcel van Ackeren is Associated Professor/Senior Research Fellow in the Philosophy Department at the University of Cologne. He is the author of Das Wissen vom Guten. Bedeutung und Kontinuität des Tugendwissens in den Dialogen Platons (2003), Heraklit (2005), Understanding Ancient Philosophy (edited with Jörn Müller, 2006), The Political Identity of the West. Platonism in the Dialogue of Cultures (edited with Orrin F. Summerell, 2006), Die Philosophie Marc Aurels, 2 vols. (2011), and Meditations and Representations. Marcus Aurelius in Interdisciplinary Light (edited with Jan Opsomer, 2012).