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The "Five Good Emperors"

Marcus Aurelius (161-180)

The last of the “Good Emperors” Marcus Aurelius had to face rather more difficult circumstances than did Antoninus Pius. For the first eight years, he was not the only emperor. Lucius Verus was adopted by Antoninus (under orders from Hadrian) at the same time as Marcus, and both were named emperor upon his death. We don’t really know why Hadrian wanted co-emperors, though it was a logical extension of the practice of associating an heir while still alive.

In any event, the Empire was faced with yet another advance by Parthia in 162 and Lucius Verus was sent east to deal with that ancient enemy. While Lucius himself was not a dynamic leader, he had excellent generals, who gave him a series of victories over the course of four years.  He returned to Rome in 166, when he and Marcus celebrated a triumph together. Lucius’ soldiers, though, brought with them a plague (smallpox? Bubonic? We don’t know for sure). Within months, whole areas of Italy were nearly depopulated. Barbarians now broke across the Danube River and the incursion was so great that Marcus declared both emperors were needed to turn back the tide. It is a measure of how serious was the plague that the army was unable to leave until 167.

They did not so much beat the barbarians as the mere appearance of Roman legions caused the invaders to withdraw. The emperors chased them around during 168, then headed back into Italy in 169. There, Lucius died (of apoplexy, not plague). Throughout this period, Marcus was careful to give his colleague full honors, so there was never a hint of rivalry between the two. It appeared that Rome could have two emperors, at least in theory.

Marcus Aurelius introduced few changes to the system he inherited. He did sponsor legal studies, being himself interested in law. He did allow large numbers of Marcomanni (the barbarians who had invaded) to settle permanently within the boundaries of the Empire. His many campaigns left the treasury rather empty, but that certainly had happened before.

Marcus Aurelius is known as being a philosopher-emperor. His Meditations are still reproduced and read today. He became acquainted with Stoic philosophy in his 20s (he was born in 121) and adhered to that school’s teachings for the rest of his life. His writings were personal—he never intended that they be published—and they reveal a man both sensitive and determined. The Meditations is easy to read because it is nothing more than a collection of short thoughts. One of my favorites, and one that captures the emperor nicely is: human beings exist for each other; either improve them, or put up with them!