Marcus Aurelius

American  

[aw-ree-lee-uhs, aw-reel-yuhs] / ɔˈri li əs, ɔˈril jəs /

noun

1. Marcus Annius Verus, a.d. 121–180, Stoic philosopher and writer: emperor of Rome 161–180.

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Marcus Aurelius Cultural  

1. A Stoic philosopher and emperor of Rome in the second century a.d. He is best known for his Meditations, a philosophical autobiography that is a classic work of personal writing and a remarkable exposition on Stoicism.

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Example Sentences

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Marcus Aurelius

When an ancient bronze statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius landed back on Turkish soil after decades abroad, it was more than a symbolic homecoming.

From Barron's ● Mar. 20, 2026

“The real Marcus Aurelius seems to be basically a Roman rather than a Stoic,” one historian wrote in 1969.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 11, 2026

The subtext is text as Lucius delivers several speeches about “the dream of Rome” that he learned about at the knee of his grandfather, Marcus Aurelius.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2024

Marcus Aurelius concurs with these sentiments in his "Meditations."

From Salon ● Jan. 30, 2024

He also served Commodus, who was the son of Marcus Aurelius and became emperor when his father died in AD 180.

From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin