Marcus Aurelius is probably the most compelling person in all of Classical Antiquity. He was a very studious boy who strove to master Stoic philosophy and came to the attention of the emperor Hadrian while he was a teenager. read more
Upon the death of Antoninus, Marcus made it a point that his cousin, Lucius Caeionius Commodus, the actual son of the man Hadrian had meant as his successor was his partner in a dual rule of the Roman Empire. read more
Marcus Aurelius was, as well as emperor from 161 to 180 CE, a stoic philosopher. He really did wage battles along the fr ontier as depicted in the film, and is remembered by historians of his time as a competent ruler, whom they favour. read more