Meditations (from Medieval Greek, literally "things to one's self") is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 A.D., recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. It is possible that large portions of the work were written at Sirmium, where he spent much time planning military campaigns from 170 to 180. Some of it was written while he was positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia, because internal notes tell us that the first book was written when he was campaigning against the Quadi on the river Granova (modern-day Hron) and the second book was written at Carnuntum. It is unlikely that Marcus Aurelius ever intended the writings to be published and the work has no official title, so "Meditations" is one of several titles commonly assigned to the collection. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to long paragraphs. A central theme to Meditations is the importance of analyzing one's judgment of self and others and the development of a cosmic perspective. This edition was originally translated out of the Greek by Meric Casaubon in 1634 as The Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius, with an Introduction by W.H.D. Rouse. It was subsequently edited by Ernest Rhys. London: J.M. Dent & Co; New York: E.P. Dutton & Co, 1906; Everyman's Library.
About the Author: Marcus Aurelius (26 April 121 17 March 180 A.D.) was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180, ruling jointly with Lucius Verus until Verus' death in 169 and jointly with his son, Commodus, from 177. He was the last of the so-called Five Good Emperors. While on campaign between 170 and 180, Aurelius wrote his Meditations in Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. The original title of this work, if it had one, is unknown. "Meditations" as well as others, including "To Himself" were adopted later. He had a logical mind and his notes were representative of Stoic philosophy and spirituality. Meditations is still revered as a literary monument to a government of service and duty. The book was a favorite of Frederick the Great, John Mill Stuart, Matthew Arnold, and Goethe. Modern figures such as Wen Jiabao, Bill Clinton, and James Mattis are admirers of the book. During his reign, the Roman Empire defeated a Parthian Empire in the east: Aurelius' general Avidius Cassius sacked the capital Ctesiphon in 164. In central Europe, Aurelius fought the Marcomanni, Quadi, and Sarmatians with success during the Marcomannic wars, the threat of the Germanic peoples began to represent a troubling reality for the empire. A revolt in the east led by Cassius Avidius failed to gain momentum and was suppressed immediately. persecution of Christians increased during his reign. His death in 180 is considered the end of the Pax Romana and the increasing instability in the west that followed the beginning of the eventual Fall of the Western Roman Empire.