Marcus Aurelius: Stoic Philosophy and the Emperor
26 April 2006

Formal Oral Presentation
HY304

Sonya Glasserkey
Jackie Gogolski
Rhiannon Henning
Robert Serunjogi
Ravi Singaraju

Scene 1 – Four Roman Senators sit eating delicious grapes, discussing their Emperor Marcus Aurelius. A crowd of onlookers has gathered to hear the discussion.

Robertus – What is this new form of thought that is so popular for our Emperor? Can one of you explain it to me?

Sonyanus - Why Robertus, it is indeed a confusing concept. I understand Marcus Aurelius is a Stoic. He firmly believes in the use of practical reasoning, and the concept that things will be as they will be.

Jackienus – Yes, I do believe you are right, while he also believes in moderation and rational thought in all facets of life.

Rhiannonus – Agreed. Our Emperor Marcus Aurelius is indeed a firm stoic, where he believes in moderation, rational thought, and the belief that nature will take its course, which I do believe conflicts with his leadership of the Roman State.

Jackienus – Let us discuss some examples we have seen during his prominent reign. Has his personal actions been affected by this Stoic philosophy, or are there practical reasons he has taken this new way of thinking, in regard to the State?

Robertus – I think a good example to talk about is his son Commodus. His son has been chosen to be his successor and been given the many powers of Roman Authority, even though his son is wicked and bad. What do you think about this?

Sonyanus – I believe our Emperor chose his son, because of his strong ties with his family, and the importance of family succession. I know Marcus Aurelius feels this way from lessons learned from his family and advisors over the years. His stoic philosophy forces him to accept the actions of others, good or evil, as actions, and he cannot change those actions.

Marcus Aurelius – From my Brother Severus, I learned to love my kin. From Catulus I learned to love my children.

Rhiannonus – I believe that according to his Stoic beliefs chose this unjust successor, because he does not know what will happen in the future. He chooses Commodus, because this is the way things are according to nature, and he cannot do anything to prevent nature.

Marcus Aurelius - If thou workest at that which is before thee, following right reason seriously, vigorously, calmly, without allowing anything else to distract thee, but keeping thy divine part pure, as if thou shouldst be bound to give it back immediately; if thou holdest to this, expecting nothing, fearing nothing, but satisfied with thy present activity according to nature, and with heroic truth in every word and sound which thou utterest, thou wilt live happy. And there is no man who is able to prevent this.

Rhiannonus – What did his stoic philosophy influence in regard to adulterous affairs his wife, Faustina had?

Robertus – I believe that his stoic philosophy made him accept her actions, and bound by this philosophy, he is unable to execute her out of passion. Though many people told him about her affairs, he could not act.

Marcus Aurelius – In my father I observed mildness of temper, and unchangeable resolution in the things which he had determined after due deliberation .

Jackienus – I disagree and agree with you. I see a more practical side to his actions. It is rumored that if he had divorced his wife, that he would have had to return the dowry to her. All he could return would be the Empire. But I do see how his stoic philosophy could have influenced his decisions in regard to the potential harm his wife incurred on the state and the Emperor.

Marcus Aurelius – In the case of every appearance of harm apply this rule: if the state is not harmed by this, neither am I harmed. But if the state is harmed, thou must not be angry with him who does harm to the state .

Sonyanus – I have heard instances in the history of our great state, where the wives and daughters of some of our most powerful rulers have been divorced or exiled due to their adulterous dealings. For example, the great Julius Caesar divorced his wife after discovering Claudius trying to woo her away . There is also the example of the Tiberius and his wife Jullia, whom he banished for her adultery . These two cases show that Marcus Aurelius and his actions have gone against some of his predecessors, due to this stoic philosophy.

Sonyanus – What about his actions during the war against the Germans to the north? He drained the entire treasury and then went about selling the valuables of the imperial household, instead of taxing the people, was this because of this stoic philosophy?

Robertus – He sold the treasure of the imperial household for two reasons. One, so that he would gain popularity with the people of Rome. The second reason is because of his stoic ideals. He did not believe in meddling with the affairs of others. Taxes would have been meddling.

Marcus Aurelius – I learned endurance of labour, and to want little, and to work with my own hands, and not to meddle with other people’s affairs .

Jackienus – He acted practically in this situation, because as a stoic, he was rational and had the means to solve a problem, and refilled the treasury.

Rhiannonus – Do you not think that Marcus Aurelius was looking to increase his auctoritas? Let us ask the people – People of Rome, do you find fame contrary to the ideals of stoicism

(After involving class quickly in discussion)

Robertus – He is a man above the act of flattery, and of trying to impress others, which I attribute to the stoic beliefs of his father which influenced him so much in his youth.

Marcus Aurelius – In my father I observed that he did not court men by gifts or by trying to please them. Every one acknowledged him to be a man ripe, perfect, above flattery .

Rhiannonus – Interesting…So looking back at Marcus Aurelius and his choice of Commodus as successor, we see he must accept his son is bad because of his beliefs, which hinders him from acting rationally. If Marcus wasn’t a stoic, he would take action against his son and not elect him as successor. An interesting predicament of our Emperor and the way this Stoic philosophy affects his decisions. So we come to the conclusion that to be a stoic in power can lead to conflict?

Robertus – Agreed
Sonyanus – Agreed
Jackienus – Agreed
Rhiannonus - Agree