Marco Aurelius Antoninus (in Latin: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus; Rome, April 26, 121 - Vindobona or Sirmium, March 17, 180) was an emperor of the Roman Empire from the year 161 until the year of his death, in 180. He was the last of the so-called Five Good Emperors, third of the emperors coming from a family of ancient Italic settlers settled in the province of Baetica, and is considered one of the most representative figures of Stoic philosophy. Marco Aurelius and Lucius Verus were adopted sons of Antoninus Pius by decree of Hadrian, and the first two, co-emperors of the Empire
His reign was marked by military conflicts in Asia against a revitalized Parthian Empire and in Upper Germania against the barbarian tribes settled along the Limes Germanicus, in Gaul and along the Danube. During the period of his empire, he had to face a revolt in the eastern provinces led by Avidius Cassius, which he crushed. He ruled briefly alone after the death of Lucius Verus as a result of the Antonine Plague in 169, although from 177 he ruled together with his son Commodus, who would succeed him
The great work of Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, written in Hellenistic Greek during the campaigns of the 170s, is still considered a monument to perfect government. It is often described as "a work written exquisitely and with infinite tenderness"
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