Marcus Aurelius

Meditations (Penguin Classics)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • A really great read!
  • Ignorance need not apply
  • Lessons of life from one of Rome's greatest emperors
  • A Glimpse into Roman Philosophy
  • Code of the warrior
 Meditations (Penguin Classics)
Marcus Aurelius
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140449337

Amazon.com

One measure, perhaps, of a book's worth, is its intergenerational pliancy: do new readers acquire it and interpret it afresh down through the ages? The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, translated and introduced by Gregory Hays, by that standard, is very worthwhile, indeed. Hays suggests that its most recent incarnation--as a self-help book--is not only valid, but may be close to the author's intent. The book, which Hays calls, fondly, a "haphazard set of notes," is indicative of the role of philosophy among the ancients in that it is "expected to provide a 'design for living.'" And it does, both aphoristically ("Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what's left and live it properly.") and rhetorically ("What is it in ourselves that we should prize?"). Whether these, and other entries ("Enough of this wretched, whining monkey life.") sound life-changing or like entries in a teenager's diary is up to the individual reader, as it should be. Hays's introduction, which sketches the life of Marcus Aurelius (emperor of Rome A.D. 161-180) as well as the basic tenets of stoicism, is accessible and jaunty. --H. O'Billovich

Book Description

<B>A new translation of the philosophical journey that has inspired luminaries from Matthew Arnold to Bill Clinton</B> <BR><BR> Written by an intellectual Roman emperor, the Meditations offer a wide range of spiritual reflections developed as the leader struggled to understand himself and the universe. Marcus Aurelius covers topics as diverse as the question of virtue, human rationality, the nature of the gods, and his own emotions, spanning from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation.<BR> * Includes an introduction, chronology, explanatory notes, general index, index of quotations, and index of names

Download Description

Few ancient works have been as influential as the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, philosopher and emperor of Rome (A.D. 161�).

A series of spiritual exercises filled with wisdom, practical guidance, and profound understanding of human behavior, it remains one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. Marcus's insights and advice—on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity and interacting with others—have made the Meditations required reading for statesmen and philosophers alike, while generations of ordinary readers have responded to the straightforward intimacy of his style.

For anyone who struggles to reconcile the demands of leadership with a concern for personal integrity and spiritual well-being, the Meditations remains as relevant now as it was two thousand years ago.

In Gregory Hays's new translation—the first in thirty-five years—Marcus's thoughts speak with a new immediacy. In fresh and unencumbered English, Hays vividly conveys the spareness and compression of the original Greek text. Never before have Marcus's insights been so directly and powerfully presented.

With an Introduction that outlines Marcus's life and career, the essentials of Stoic doctrine, the style and construction of the Meditations, and the work's ongoing influence, this edition makes it possible to fully rediscover the thoughts of one of the most enlightened and intelligent leaders of any era.

<HR>

"The emperor Marcus Aurelius, the proverbial philosopher-king, produced in Greek a Roman manual of piety, the Meditations, whose impact has been felt for ages since. Here, for our age, is his great work presented in its entirety, strongly introduced and freshly, elegantly translated by Gregory Hays for the Modern Library."<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;ROBERT FAGLES

<HR>

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A really great read!.......2007-05-13

Meditations (Penguin Classics)

I absolutely loved this book! It was a great read, and felt very personal, as if I were listening to Marcus Aurelius's thoughts. I am using it as a part of my teenage son's home-schooling studies, and even he is getting into it. Great book! Highly recommend, whether for leisure reading, home-school studies, or for some brain exercise! This would be wonderful on a long flight, long train ride, etc.

5 out of 5 stars Ignorance need not apply.......2007-05-07

Marcus Aurelius is the epitamy of the old wise man. His isite into life are deep and profound making complete sense though there is none to be had. It is amazing followers of his thoughts and teachings are not more prominant.

5 out of 5 stars Lessons of life from one of Rome's greatest emperors.......2007-01-10

Marcus Aurelius, philosopher-king of Rome for two decades, preserved his experiences not for posterity but likely for himself. A reminder of things past forming a deeply personal philosophy to guide the future. Solidly founded in Stoicism yet borrowing from cynicism, epicureanism and platonic thought the "Meditations" is a unique man's thoughts and experiences. Hardly original it is nonetheless, potent and applicable.

The main themes of the book can be summed up:

Experience as much as you can and interpret these experiences as honestly as you can.
Do what you can with what you have been given.
Do not fret over that which you cannot control..accept it.

Some of my favorite quotes:

Think of yourself as dead. You have lived your life. Now take what's left and live it properly.

Doctors keep their scalpels and other instruments handy, for emergencies. Keep your philosophy ready too-ready to understand heaven and earth. In everything you do, even the smallest thing, remember the chain that links them. Nothing early succeeds by ignoring heaven, nothing heavenly by ignoring the earth.

4 out of 5 stars A Glimpse into Roman Philosophy.......2007-01-10

Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations" is a celebrated work composed by one of Imperial Rome's most celebrated leaders. While at times a bit challenging to get through, the most impressive quality of the work is its classic endurance. Partly a collection of life-lessons and partly a discourse on the psychology of mankind and government, Meditations is as insightful today as it was in ancient Rome. Overall, an impressive intellectual piece and a good edition to any well-stocked private library.

5 out of 5 stars Code of the warrior.......2006-12-26

In Marcus Aurelius we find the roots of chivalry for the warrior code. A classic work for anyone interested in history or military history in particular. Stoic philosophy for all but especially the warrior in us all.
Marcus Aurelius (Loeb Classical Library)
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • can't recommend the Greek or English for NT Greek learners
  • Great Book, Ridiculous Translation
  • The Philosopher, the Emperor, and the Good Life
  • A handbook to transform consciousness
 Marcus Aurelius (Loeb Classical Library)
Marcus Aurelius
Manufacturer: Loeb Classical Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0674990641

Book Description

Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180), Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, born at Rome, received training under his guardian and uncle emperor Antoninus Pius (reigned 138-161), who adopted him. He was converted to Stoicism and henceforward studied and practised philosophy and law. A gentle man, he lived in agreement and collaboration with Antoninus Pius. He married Pius' daughter and succeeded him as emperor in March 161, sharing some of the burdens with Lucius Verus.</p>

Marcus' reign soon saw fearful national disasters from flood, earthquakes, epidemics, threatened revolt (in Britain), a Parthian war, and pressure of barbarians north of the Alps. From 169 onwards he had to struggle hard against the German Quadi, Marcomani, Vandals, and others until success came in 174. In 175 (when Faustina died) he pacified affairs in Asia after a revolt by Avidius. War with Germans was renewed during which he caught some disease and died by the Danube in March 180.</p>

The famous Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (not his title; he simply calls them 'The matters addressed to himself') represents reflections written in periods of solitude during the emperor's military campaigns. Originally intended for his private guidance and self-admonition, the Meditations has endured as a potent expression of Stoic belief. It is a central text for students of Stoicism as well as a unique personal guide to the moral life.</p>

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars can't recommend the Greek or English for NT Greek learners.......2007-03-31

I am assuming that a lot of people who might be interested in this are people learning NT Greek and this review is intended for them. I bought this after being very satisfied with the Loeb Epictetus. (See my review.) But Aurelieus' Greek is harder and less elegant (more optatives, more vocab that does not appear in the NT, more eliptical expressions) and this translation is simply AWFUL. Again and again I found I had to refer back to George Long's older translation to unpack the Greek, which defeats the purpose of a diglot. Aurelius is still wonderful for Christians, but until a diglot with a better translation comes out, I would skip this and focus on other non-biblical Greek.

2 out of 5 stars Great Book, Ridiculous Translation.......2003-08-15

While the other reviewers wax eloquent on the topic of Marcus Aurelius and the incredibly insightful quality of his thinking, both neglect to mention C.R Haines actual translation, which, unless you know ancient Greek pretty well, is what you will actually spend your time reading. It is the fussiest, pseudo-archaic travesty of translation I have ever encountered. Never mind that the use of 'thee', 'thou' and the accompanying creaky verb forms have been out of vogue for over half a century, Haines mined the motherlode of obscurities and what I suppose is would-be poetic creativity. Thus you will encounter words like 'encairned', 'decensive', 'quotha', 'perforce', 'wroth', 'guerdon', and 'aye'(used like pepper throughout the text), all of which may be summed up in Haines' funniest quote,'Man, what art thou at?' It's hard to imagine that even in 1915 this translation did not seem ridiculously effete for a work of such practicality and clear sense! It is equally remarkable that Loeb had not modernized this turkey by 1987, anyway. If you want to consider the Greek text, this is the one to get. Otherwise you will find better and clearer English elsewhere!

5 out of 5 stars The Philosopher, the Emperor, and the Good Life.......2001-11-10

A review of this treasure of wisdom and thought may border on the presumptious. Perhaps it may be of value for those coming to the book for the first time or for those who wish to compare another person's thoughts on the book with their own. Also, I find writing these notes helps me to understand my own reading.

Marcus Aurelius was the Emperor of Rome from 161--180 A.D. During the years he was absent from Rome leading wars against barbarian invaders, he set down his own thoughts during his moments of repose. His thoughts were appropriately titled "To Himself"; although they have come down to us under the more usual title of "Meditations". Marcus Aurelius never intended the publication of this work. As C.R. Haines states at the outset of his introduction to his edition: "It is not known how this small but priceless book of private devotional memoranda came to be preserved for posterity. But the writer that in it puts away all desire for after-fame has by means of it attained to imperishable remembrance."

I think it is important in the reading of this book to remember that it is Marcus Aurelius communing with himself in his position of Emperor. The reader will need to understand the book as an exercise in self-reflection to allow the book to work on his or her own capacity for self-reflection.

The book is in short, repetitive paragraphs and should not, with the exception of the opening chapter, be read as a discursive, continuous argument. Because Marcus Aurelius did not intend his reflections for publication, the language sometimes is crabbed and consise and needs effort to read. This assists in thinking through with the Emperor to the heart of what he has to say.

Marcus Aurelius teaches a philosophy that is usually described as stoicism which teaches control of the emotions and the subjection of the passions to what he describes as reason. For Marcus Aurelius the reason in each person is part of the overriding reason that pervades the cosmos. Marcus Aurelius teaches restraint, thought, modesty, friendliness and love to all, humility, a counsel against the quest for fame, and bravery and acceptance in the face of sorrow, pain and death. He teaches the need to perform the duties of one's position in life, without regret or complaint or ambition, as Marcus Aurelius himself, as it happened, was called upon to perform the duties of Roman Emperor. His teaching is eclectic and relies on Plato and Heraclitus in particular in addition to his stoic mentors, specifically the Greek slave Epictetus.

I read this book when young and it has been many years before I have returned to it. It is a good book to read in small
sections. I read much of it over several weeks while commuting back and forth on the Metro. The book also serves to put one's mind in the proper framework and perspective for the world of work.

The Loeb edition of this much-translated work is valuable because of its small size, the perceptive introduction by Haines and most importantly because it includes the original Greek on facing pages. This may seem unnecessary to the many people who would benefit from reading Marcus Aurelius who do not know Greek. I find it valuable to see and to read the original text in a language which, likewise, I studied briefly many years ago.

This is a great and lasting book. Wherever you may be in life, you will enjoy it and benefit from it.

5 out of 5 stars A handbook to transform consciousness.......2000-04-28

I have read several translations of this work and have found the C.R. Haines version to be the best in terms of clarity and annotation. The format is also excellent, measuring just 4 by 6 inches, making it easy to keep in your pocket for daily reading.

"...when philosophers are kings and kings are philosophers..." Plato

If you ever hear someone turn the phrase, "when philosophers are kings," remember this; they already were and, that's right, you missed it. You missed it by about 1,820 years, give or take a few.

After some 25 or more years of training, a man born Marcus Annius Verus ascended to the Imperial throne of the Roman Empire and is known to history as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus or just Marcus Aurelius. Probably the best qualified ruler the world has known, Marcus Aurelius was a man and a ruler to whom historians most frequently point as someone who always placed the welfare of the people above all else.

Marcus Aurelius, the last in a series of philosopher emperors, spent most of the last thirteen years of his life in the damp and gloomy forests along the Danube. Beset by treason, incompetence and corruption he waged relentless war on the first few of uncounted waves of barbarian invaders who would ultimately destroy the Romans so thoroughly that not even their language would survive.

During this time he kept a diary of sorts. I use the word diary in the sense that Marcus wrote this book for himself alone, with no care whether any other should ever read it. He called his little book "To Himself."

What Marcus ultimately produced is a sometimes scattered yet concise handbook on how to live contented under any circumstances. It is here for us to inspect, to read and learn the inner thoughts of one of the greatest philosophers and humanitarian leaders in the history of the West.

There is to be found, if we are but willing to read, a definite system for controlling our thoughts and therefore our lives and our happiness. This "handbook" on how to be the source of your own happiness, commonly known as The Meditations, teaches a system of thought that, with a bit of practice, will show that you really are the only possible source of you own happiness - a source without limits and without end. This way of seeing the world also has side effects which are; greater participation in life, less frustration and little if any anxiety, anger or depression.

(2007) I must add: the new translation - "The Emperor's Handbook: A New Translation of The Meditations" by the Hicks brothers is a superb contemporary English version. There have been other attempts but they don't even come close to the work of David and C. Scot Hicks. Look it up.
The Emperor's Handbook: A New Translation of The Meditations
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A leadership and management must
  • Reading this will change your life forever
  • Great Book
  • A Question of Tone
  • Simply Great
 The Emperor's Handbook: A New Translation of The Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Manufacturer: Scribner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0743233832
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Book Description

<B><BLOCKQUOTE>BEAR IN MIND THAT THE

MEASURE OF A MAN IS THE WORTH OF THE THINGS HE CARES ABOUT.

IF IT IS GOOD TO SAY OR DO

SOMETHING, THEN IT IS

EVEN BETTER TO BE CRITICIZED FOR

HAVING SAID OR DONE IT.

ARE MY GUIDING PRINCIPLES

HEALTHY AND ROBUST? ON THIS HANGS EVERYTHING.</BLOCKQUOTE>

</B>

Essayist Matthew Arnold described the man who wrote these words as "the most beautiful figure in history." Possibly so, but he was certainly more than that. Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire at its height, yet he remained untainted by the incalculable wealth and absolute power that had corrupted many of his predecessors. Marcus knew the secret of how to live the good life amid trying and often catastrophic circumstances, of how to find happiness and peace when surrounded by misery and turmoil, and of how to choose the harder right over the easier wrong without apparent regard for self-interest.

The historian Michael Grant praises Marcus's book as "the best ever written by a major ruler," and Josiah Bunting, superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute, calls it "the essential book on character, leadership, duty." Never intended for publication, the Meditations contains the practical and inspiring wisdom by which this remarkable emperor lived the life not of a saintly recluse, but of a general, administrator, legislator, spouse, parent, and judge besieged on all sides.

The Emperor's Handbook offers a vivid and fresh translation of this important piece of ancient literature. It brings Marcus's words to life and shows his wisdom to be as relevant today as it was in the second century. This book belongs on the desk and in the briefcase of every business executive, political leader, and military officer. It speaks to the soul of anyone who has ever exercised authority or faced adversity or believed in a better day.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A leadership and management must.......2007-06-08

Having served in the armed services and now in the health care industry; This book not only serves as a leadership and management blueprint, but also its essence can serve to direct you in everyday life. A must have for junior and senior leaders/managers and excellent read.

5 out of 5 stars Reading this will change your life forever.......2007-02-08

This book must be read by everyone. It is so easily digestible and immediately applicable. This translation does an excellent job in translating the words of Marcus Aurelius to a modern audience. Meditations, the original text this book is based on, shows how common it is for people to make their lives unnecessarily complicated and how easy it is to live a simple life.

5 out of 5 stars Great Book.......2006-11-25

This is a great book for bringing into focus the important things in life. Written almost 2,000 years ago, the information is very valuable and relevant today.

While we may know and understand a lot of the information contained in the book, as the authors point out in the introduction, "we need more often to be reminded than informed." The book is not to be read once and placed on the shelf. It can and should be read from time to time. It is not necessary to read from front to back or to read the entire book. You can open the book to any page and find some valuable lessons.

A recurring theme of the book is that no one controls your mind but yourself. But what you allow into your mind controls your outlook on life and your circumstances in life. Therefore it is imperative that you only think appropriate thoughts.

Another very important lessons that is repeated often is "for the present moment is of eaual duration for everyone, and that is all any man possess." That we should not live in the past or the future, but live fully in the present moment.

He gives us good advise when we are reminded to remember people, "...who ignoring the good that lay at their feet, ran after some vain thing and never found the happiness that was within their reach all the time."

There are many excellent lessons on how to lead a better life. It is well worth reading and contemplating on the lessons contained in the book.

It is truly a treasure from the past that still has great value today.

3 out of 5 stars A Question of Tone.......2005-10-16

This translation of the Greek writings that the author called "To Himself" is smooth, deft, and self-assured; the book sits well in the hand; the subject index is thorough. For generations Marcus Aurelius has proven not only a welcome counselor, but a worthy opponent to measure oneself against. Why does this version leave one feeling not refreshed but harangued?

In an earnest attempt to reach modern readers, something has gone wrong with the tone. The pages are peppered with the imperative contraction "Don't," and the "You" being addressed is not a man conferring with his soul, but a smug preacher hectoring us with his own perfection. Yet consider how often Marcus returns to certain themes---that you should not mind what other people think of you; that you should cease to assign blame, or feel resentment for ill-treatment; that since life is but breath you should not care whether yours is long or short. The very repetition shows how hard it was for him to attain permanent detachment: you need not exhort yourself to meet standards you have already mastered.

Perhaps a claim made in the introduction, explaining the rationale for a new edition, hints at what seems amiss in The Emperor's Handbook: "[W]e tend to conceive of freedom, even the religious freedoms we take pretty much for granted, in largely political terms, perhaps because, second, we have come seriously to doubt our psychological freedom, or freedom of mind." (9) (How's that again? Rather, in an era of contracting public freedoms and increasing pressure toward conformity, many contend that the only true liberty lies within.) A version inspired by such assumptions skews the even-tempered voice of the fellow human being who wrote these meditations. The layout, with bullet lists and sound bites, makes the book look like yet another treatise aimed at the tired businessman; and the new title seems a marketing ploy. The world needs no more emperors.

When judging a work in a foreign tongue, it is wise to use one translation as a corrective for another. By all means buy this version, as I did: the celebrated and successful give it high praise (see dust jacket). And buy one of the other renderings; consult the reviews on this site for Hays, or Staniforth. Then read them in tandem, compare and contrast, in order to better "See things for what they are" (Book 12, Section 10) for yourself.

5 out of 5 stars Simply Great.......2005-08-28

The choice of reading this translation of Aurelius' "Meditations" was based purely on the reviews I read here at Amazon. Most people seemed to love Scot and David Hicks' translation, so I thought it would be worth trying it. That choice was, indeed, a very good one, so thanks to all the reviewers who raved about this translation!

Unlike some translations of older works, this one does not have that dry feeling to the style, and the language is very modern and easy to flow through. It has to be said that the translation has been with done with a lot of consideration for the meaning of Aurelius as well as the sensitivities and preferences of the modern reader in terms of language and style. Overall, an excellent translation to get into and read.

"The Emperor's Handbook" is the first translation I have read of Marcus Aurelius' book, and I was surprised that Aurelius did not write it to be published. It is, rather, Aurelius' personal reflections and thoughts on life, himself and other things. His scope of topic matter is comprehensive, and the concise aphorisms give easily remembered ideas to think about yourself.

The translators claim that you do not need to read it cover-to-cover, but can really start anywhere in the book. I tested this out, and they are right. I started reading in random places, and still got a good insight from the reading.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and I would say that if you are looking for a good translation of it, buy this one. The reviewers here before me were right: it is an excellent translation and a very, very useful book. Food for life, one might say.

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: Spiritual Teachings and Reflections (Sacred Wisdom)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Ageless Eloquence
  • Read it , live it !
 The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: Spiritual Teachings and Reflections (Sacred Wisdom)

Manufacturer: Watkins
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Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1842931202

Book Description

The spiritual wisdom of the Stoic Emperor of Ancient Rome, translated by George Long, the celebrated English classical scholar. Marcus Aurelius wrote these meditations for his own reflection, but produced perennial maxims that point the way to achieving perfect peace of mind. They have inspired the best of humanity for almost two millennia.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Ageless Eloquence.......2007-05-16

The writtings of Marcus Aurelius have been an inspiration to countless persons since it was origionally written. This edition takes a portions of the complete Meditations writtings and brings out the very spiritual side of the collection. I would recomend this work to any person looking for inspiration , or spirituality.

5 out of 5 stars Read it , live it !.......2007-01-19

Simplistic samples of a way to live by a man who lived 2000 years ago. A life changing book .If you read it you will be affected by it and it will better your way of life.
Marcus Aurelius (Roman Imperial Biographies)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • How much do we really need to know?
  • The Man Who Held It All Together
  • The Life of One of History's Greatest Men
  • Good, scholarly but not a "great read"
  • A Magnificent Scholarly Work!
 Marcus Aurelius (Roman Imperial Biographies)
Anthony Birley
Manufacturer: TF-ROUTL
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0415171253

Book Description

An accessible and scholarly study of an emperor who was human and just throughout his long reign which was frequently punctuated by wars with the northern tribes.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars How much do we really need to know?.......2005-04-05

I'm not a scholar of history, but have always been interested in the man that wrote the Meditations. I thought an in-depth analysis would be the trick for getting to know this Stoic Emperor better. In Birley's book, however, I experienced information overload.

We learn a great deal about the Emperor's tutors and family. But the reader, at least this reader, is given so much detail, that it is difficult to organize the data in a meaningful way. I could not distinguish the significant from the merely interesting.

If you already know quite a bit about Marcus Aurelius and want to learn more, by all means buy this book.

If, on the other hand, you want an inroduction to his life, I'd recommend looking elsewhere.

5 out of 5 stars The Man Who Held It All Together.......2001-12-15

Marcus Aurelius (121-180 A.D.) inherited the principate from Antonius Pius, the fourth in a succession of emperors whose reigns were marked with peace, prosperity and internal stability. Marcus was unique in several respects. Not only was he groomed for the throne from an extremely early age, he was also schooled in Eastern philosphy (Stoicism) rather than the conventional military upbringing of most emperors hitherto.

Ruling as the senior "co-emperor" with his adoptive brother Lucius, and later his ill-starred son, Commodus, he began his reign in classic 2nd Century style, as a benign despot, touring the provinces and engaging in continued correspondence with his favorite childhood tutor.

But then it things went horribly, horribly wrong. The Northern Frontier, which Trajan and Hadrian had done so much to secure, suddenly collapsed, with hordes of German tribes ravaging the countryside. So did the currency, leading to massive debasements of the coinage. And then the worst of all evils arrived - bubonic plague decimating the population. Marcus had to draw on all of his strength of spirit and learning to hold it all together, and hold it he did, restoring the frontiers and defeating the barbarians. Despite his successor, idiot son Commodus, he helped win Rome another good fifty years.

Birley's narrative is sharp and well-paced, and stunningly timely. Reading this at the same time as anthrax outbreak and modern barbarian invasion, I had a sick sense of deja vu.

5 out of 5 stars The Life of One of History's Greatest Men.......2001-10-03

Anthony Birley's biography of Marcus Aurelius manages to give the reader a good view of the life of an Emperor by pulling together the very few resources available. Marcus' early years and education are given in good detail including some letters between Marcus and his teachers. It is true that the chapters dealing with Marcus' personal life and family are not as 'exciting' as some might wish but they show a side to an Emperor rarely seen.

The Parthian War, which was commanded by Co-Emperor Lucius Verus, is given a good overview. However, the Marcommanic Wars are covered in excellent detail. Anthony Birley reviews all the sources that are available and gives reasons for his conclusions. Coins, The Colume of marcus Aurelius and Cassius Dio are the prime sources for the Marcommanic Wars. The Commanding Generals are named and fans of 'Gladiator' will be disappointed.

This is real history and a look into one of Rome's most popular Emperors. If you are a fan of 'Gladiator' then read this book and see how much more exciting reality is.

The role Commodus played and the reasons Marcus made him Co-Emperor after Lucius Verus are explained very well. This book by far is one of the best Imperial Biographies I have read.

3 out of 5 stars Good, scholarly but not a "great read".......2001-03-31

I enjoyed Birley's biography of Marcus Aureliusm, because I was interested in the man.

Even so, it is written as an academic treatment limiting the story to the primary sources, with constant quotes from them. This is certainly an accurate manner to depict biographical information, but not as compelling as say Robin Fox's treatment of Alexander the Great which is equally well-research and annotated but is also a great "read."

5 out of 5 stars A Magnificent Scholarly Work!.......2001-01-03

In the wake of "Gladiator," it is perhaps a useful coincidence to have such a decent biography of the greatest of Roman emperors published. I should begin by pointing out that books of such scholarly value (I am reminded of "The Inner Citadel" by Pierre Hadot, a magnificent explanation of Aurelius' Meditations) are best reviewed by peers, and I cannot claim such qualifications. For what it's worth, I have long been fascinated by the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, and I found this biography to be immensely rewarding. Prospective buyers should be aware that this is a very deeply researched biography, and in no way should be confused with suitable reading material for those people who read "Chicken Soup for Idiots" or other books for children. It can be, at times, very heady reading.

The book is rich with anecdotes of Marcus' family life. How interesting it seems, after viewing "Gladiator" (a film as contemptuous of history as "U-571") to hear that Marcus' son, Commodus, at the age of eleven, ordered a bathkeeper to be thrown into a furnace for letting the bathwater go lukewarm. A sheepskin was burned instead, to mask the deception, and yet the contrast between impetuous Commodus and the stern, reflective Marcus at age eleven, shows how the apple does not always fall close to the tree. [Incidentally, Commodus was strangled in his bath on New Years Eve and did not meet his end in the arena at the hands of Maximus.]

Birley's work is at times awfully heavy reading for the layperson, but in the end proves a thoroughly enjoyable rendering. A triumph.
Household Gods
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Hateful character ruins what could've been a splendid story
  • I am a feminist but...
  • Silly, yet Entertaining
  • Not perfect, but very good.
  • Good read, but...
 Household Gods
Judith Tarr , and Harry Turtledove
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312864876

Amazon.com

The standard time-travel plot turns on what might be changed by the futuristic know-how of an intrepid time traveler--typically a mechanically-minded man who "invents" modern weapons, medical technology, and so on. In Household Gods, Tarr and Turtledove make their time traveler a 1990s Los Angeles lawyer with no special technical or historical knowledge.

Nicole Gunther-Perrin is a single mother of two. Today her daycare provider's quitting. At the office, her male colleague has made partner and she hasn't. The kids get sick, the microwave dies, and her ex goes on vacation with his girlfriend. Staring at a votive plaque of Liber and Libera, Roman household gods, Nicole falls asleep wishing she lived in the past, surely a better and easier time. She awakens in second-century Carnuntum, a town near the Roman Empire's borders. Death, disease, and dirt are commonplace. Slavery and corporal punishment are facts of life, and war, pillage, and rape are constant threats. Mere survival is hard work. Though Nicole adapts and even enjoys some of her experience, she longs to return to her own time. The problems she left behind no longer seem unconquerable.

Tarr and Turtledove know their history and bring the reader into a past as vividly real as Nicole's Los Angeles. They create genuine, sympathetic characters whose thoughts and feelings are true to their era and deliver a satisfying conclusion. Household Gods should be on the shelf next to L. Sprague de Camp's Lest Darkness Fall and John Maddox Roberts's SPQR mysteries. --Nona Vero

Book Description

Nicole Gunther Perrin is a modern young professional, proud of her skills but weary of childcare, sexist law partners, and her deadbeat ex-husband. Following a ghastly day of dealing with all three, she falls into bed, and awakens the next morning to find herself in a different life, that of a widowed tavernkeeper in the Roman frontier town of Carnuntum around a.d. 170. In the great tradition of classics like Mark Twains A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthurs Court, Household Gods is more than a time-travel adventure: It is a tale of a womans strength and self-discovery, and of the real differences, and similarities, between life in our era and days gone by.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars Hateful character ruins what could've been a splendid story.......2007-06-15

This book is about a 20th century American lawyer who wakes up one morning to find herself living in the world of ancient Rome. I was very eager to read it, but I was disappointed.

The first 52 pages are entirely set in the present, as are the last 78 pages. These pages are designed to show us the contrast between modern life and ancient life, but readers already know about the present. We don't need to spend the equivalent of a short novel on it, especially given that the protagonist, Nicole, is off-putting. She is self-centered, prudish, self-righteous, bigoted, hypocritical, and constantly simmering with petty hostility. For example, when her regular babysitter decides to give notice due to family circumstances, Nicole's only reason for not having her arrested by the INS is that the INS might end up helping the babysitter. She is a repulsive human being.

Nicole is also unbelievably stupid. She wishes herself back to ancient Rome, and she is then *shocked* to discover that water was not chlorinated, that slavery existed, that women lacked legal rights, that animals and people were killed in the gladiatorial arena, and so on. There has been some debate, in the reviews below, as to whether it is realistic for Nicole to be as stupid as she is (she must have excelled in college, or else would not have made it into law school). Realistic or not, it is *painful* for the reader to inhabit such a mean-spirited and smugly ignorant character. That the authors intend for us to sympathize with her only makes it worse.

3 out of 5 stars I am a feminist but..........2007-05-28

Before I offer my critique of the book, I will acknowledge that i could not put it down while I was on a long airline flight because it was well written with an enjoyable plot.

Yet the main character drove me absolutely insane! I often critique books FROM a feminist lens only I realize that my main problem with the character was that she seemed to provide the kind of feminist propaganda that gives feminism a bad reputation. She blamed all of her problems on patriarchal structure and on men instead of taking some level of responsiblitiy for her own actions. There is a rape scene in the book, I am always disgusted that the notion of rape and that women are violated in that manner. However the portayal of that particular scene after all of the feminist propagada that I felt that the book seemed to revolve around seemed to be one of the ways that men were always blamed for everything in the book, instead of really exploring the kinds of emotions rape victims usually have that actually gives more sympathy to the issue than this kind of propaganda.

Along the same lines, I felt that a character that was so eager to be back in a time different time period than her own probably should have initially taken an anthropological lens and then an activist lens but she just jumped right into the activist lens which i always tend to find completely irresponsible.

Unfortunately I think that the under developed character who just spouted out all of this feminist propaganda is actually too similar to the way that some people take feminism too far (like theologian Mary Daly and anyone who wants to try to fix womens history by discriminating against men)and that people who oppose feminism carticturize feminism. So really the character in this book seems to embody everything that is wrong with feminism.

All of these critiques aside, I find that it is a very entertaining, well written concept. However when it comes to time travel I think that I much prefer Diana Gabaldon's books over this one. I think that anyone who likes this book who has not yet read Gabaldon's Outlander would enjoy giving that book a shot.

2 out of 5 stars Silly, yet Entertaining.......2007-05-14

I am a Roman history buff and really wanted to like this book. A number of people have had problems with the lead character's anti-male stance, which does remain quite common throughout the book. I never found the character of Nicole to be hateful or annoying, however, I was just annoyed with the writers. To paraphrase Jessica Rabbit, Nicole isn't bad she's just written that way. The part about the book that's great, besides its perfectly plausible (from a literary perspective anyway) time travel device, is the supporting characters back in the Roman province of Carnuntum, in Germany, where Nicole finds herself. Quite honestly the details of life in a Roman household could be picked up in almost any nonfiction book and one wouldn't have to deal with some of the ridiculous thoughts that the writers have given Nicole. But then we wouldn't get to meet the bed-hopping slave, Julia, the fuller, Titus Calidius Severus, or any of the other residents of Carnuntum in the time of Marcus Aurelius, or find out about birth control, medicine, head lice, bargaining and law from the perspective of a ordinary working woman. The book isn't terribly memorable but it will definitely make you appreciate your life and all the advances and conveniences of it, while providing an enjoyable if ultimately somewhat unsatisfying read. It's not nearly as good a book about ancient Rome as something like Richard Ben Sapir's the Far Arena, or for more serious reading Colleen McCullough's First Man in Rome, but if you like your Roman history it's still recommended.

4 out of 5 stars Not perfect, but very good........2007-03-26

Haven't finished the book yet, but I'm about 2/3 through, and I'm still intrested. I'm also a time travel fan, and a fan of culture shock. This book sates my appetite on both subjects.
Nicole is believable to me as I went to college in the 90s and I was exposed to feminism at its most anit-maleness. She's even more believable because according to her greivances against the male sex she has every right to be anti-male.
Regarding Nicole's ignorance and idealizing of the past; That's very believable because I've met so many "educated" people who are regardless of their degrees in this or that field still IGNORANT about historical periods, cultures, and geographies outside of their own.
Also even History majors will tell you that when you read books for general education classes, little intimitate details like...everybody had lice, and there were no tampons get left out. That's why Historic Fiction, or even Time Travel Novels are invaluable for the true student of History, or any teacher worth his/her salt.

4 out of 5 stars Good read, but..........2007-03-24

Being a fan of historical fiction and mystery set in Ancient Rome, I was intrigued by the time-travel plot device and the historical detail which filled this absorbing read. As noted by another reviewer I did find the main character annoyingly stupid at times, but I learned to ignore her tirades against male-dominated culture and skip to the good parts. The following comment may be considered a SPOILER, so you might want to stop here if you haven't read the book. My primary disappointment (if this was truly a time-travel fantasy and not just a dream) was not knowing what happened to the Carnuntum characters after Nicole's return to present day. It wouldn't have taken too many more pages to use Nicole's supposed legal research abilities to research the time of Marcus Aurelius' reign in order to provide a hint of what became of the Carnuntum characters once she was gone. It seems Nicole-Umma's extraordinary audience with the Emperor might have made her a notable enough citizen to be mentioned in historical documents of the time, which then might have hinted at the remainder of her life. Some small measure of closure for the Carnuntum characters (which I grew to like much more than the modern characters) would have been appreciated.
The Inner Citadel: The <i>Meditations</i> of Marcus Aurelius
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Informative and practical
  • Nice analysis of the Meditations
 The Inner Citadel: The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
Michael Chase
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0674007077

Book Description

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius are treasured today--as they have been over the centuries--as an inexhaustible source of wisdom. And as one of the three most important expressions of Stoicism, this is an essential text for everyone interested in ancient religion and philosophy. Yet the clarity and ease of the work's style are deceptive. Pierre Hadot, eminent historian of ancient thought, uncovers new levels of meaning and expands our understanding of its underlying philosophy. </p>

Written by the Roman emperor for his own private guidance and self-admonition, the Meditations set forth principles for living a good and just life. Hadot probes Marcus Aurelius's guidelines and convictions and discerns the hitherto unperceived conceptual system that grounds them. Abundantly quoting the Meditations to illustrate his analysis, the author allows Marcus Aurelius to speak directly to the reader. And Hadot unfolds for us the philosophical context of the Meditations, commenting on the philosophers Marcus Aurelius read and giving special attention to the teachings of Epictetus, whose disciple he was. </p>

The soul, the guiding principle within us, is in Marcus Aurelius's Stoic philosophy an inviolable stronghold of freedom, the "inner citadel." This spirited and engaging study of his thought offers a fresh picture of the fascinating philosopher-emperor, a fuller understanding of the tradition and doctrines of Stoicism, and rich insight on the culture of the Roman empire in the second century. Pierre Hadot has been working on Marcus Aurelius for more than twenty years; in this book he distills his analysis and conclusions with extraordinary lucidity for the general reader. </p>

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Informative and practical.......2007-06-16

This is a very insightful work into the Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius - both informative and practical.

5 out of 5 stars Nice analysis of the Meditations.......2000-10-16

Hadot manages an academically rigorous analysis of the _Meditations_ while also bringing out the vibrancy and robust spirituality which must have accompanied the ancient philosophies. Where most secondary sources for the Stoics focus upon dry-as-dust technical logistics (which the ancients universally decried), Hadot brings to the foreground the true purpose of ancient meditation techniques, and provides readers some hints of what it might have been like to study Stoicism as a life-philosophy instead of merely an academic curiosity. The book also provides a wonderful synopsis of Epictetus' teaching and style, which strongly influenced M.A. A fine companion with Hadot's _Philosophy As a Way of Life_.
The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not Bad
  • An Excellent Bargain
  • Waste of Money
  • An uninformed, trivial cash-in on the self-help market
  • Bleaches a masterpiece into a self-help guide for idiots.
 The Spiritual Teachings of Marcus Aurelius
Mark Forstater
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0060955104
Release Date: 2001-06-05

Amazon.com

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:

4 out of 5 stars Not Bad.......2002-04-07

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!

4 out of 5 stars An Excellent Bargain.......2001-06-12

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.

1 out of 5 stars Waste of Money.......2001-03-21

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.

1 out of 5 stars An uninformed, trivial cash-in on the self-help market.......2001-01-10

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 "spiritual exercises" 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.

1 out of 5 stars Bleaches a masterpiece into a self-help guide for idiots........2000-11-14

Sorry, folks, but if, like me, you truly admire the brilliance of Marcus Aurelius, this is the book you don't want to bother with. There are several very decent English translations of Marcus (my own collection includes seven different translators), and if you really want to get to the bottom of Aurelius, get Pierre Hadot's "The Inner Citadel."

Forstater's book is so thin (my British edition does not even cite the translator!) on the stoic underpinnings of Aurelius's thinking that one wonders if Forstater read one English translationand considered himself an authority on that alone...
The Apology, Phaedo and Crito of Plato; Golden Sayings of Epictetus; Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (Harvard Classics, Part 2)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		The Apology, Phaedo and Crito of Plato; Golden Sayings of Epictetus; Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (Harvard Classics, Part 2)
    Plato
    Manufacturer: Kessinger Publishing
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    2. Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Journal of John Woolman, Fruits of Solitude (Harvard Classics, Part 1)

    ASIN: 0766182096

    Book Description

    1909. Contents: The Apology, Phaedo and Crito of Plato translated by Benjamin Jowett. The Golden Sayings of Epictetus translated by Hastings Crossley. The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Translated by George Long.
    The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: A Study (Oxford Classical Monographs)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: A Study (Oxford Classical Monographs)
      R. B. Rutherford
      Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      ASIN: 0198147554

      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.

      Philosophers:

      1. Marcuse, Herbert
      2. Marx, Karl
      3. Meinong, Alexius
      4. Merleau-Ponty, Maurice
      5. Mill, John Stuart
      6. Moore, G.E.
      7. More, Sir Thomas
      8. Nelson, Leonard
      9. Nietzsche, Friedrich
      10. Nozick, Robert

      Philosophers

      Philosophers