Marcus Aurelius

Born in 121 CE into a prominent Roman family, Marcus Aurelius did not grow up dreaming of becoming emperor. At age 17, his uncle became Emperor Antoninus Pius and adopted Marcus as his successor. Despite not aspiring to imperial power, he accepted the role out of a sense of duty to serve Rome. His reign was marked by military campaigns along Rome's northern frontiers and the composition of his philosophical masterwork, Meditations, which remains influential in discussions of leadership, duty, and inner resilience. Marcus Aurelius assumed sole power upon Antoninus Pius's death in 161 CE, but insisted that Lucius Verus be made co-emperor. His reign faced military challenges, including invasions by Germanic tribes and a rebellion by Avidius Cassius. In 177 CE, Marcus proclaimed his son Commodus joint emperor. He died in 180 CE at his military headquarters, having just time to commend Commodus to the regime's chief advisers.