![Donald Robertson on The Stoic Emperor (Episode 122) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=640,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/da9dd62b-66e6-4675-a954-7d7f007e1c6f.png)
In this conversation, Caleb speaks with Donald Robertson about Marcus Aurelius. They dive into what we know about the man and the critical episodes of his life. Donald shares his thoughts on the Marcomannic wars, whether Marcus Aurelius ordered the assassination of one of his top generals, and why he appointed Commodus as his successor.
They end by discussing the central role that Stoicism and Stoic practices played in Marcus Aurelius’s life.
Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor
How To Think Like A Roman Emperor
(00:45) Changing Mind
(07:29) Commodus / Different Views of History
(16:58) Marcomannic Wars
(33:42) What Marcus Aurelius Didn't Say
(40:50) Stoicism in Marcus Aurelius's Life
(49:41) Avidius Cassius
(01:01:18) Marcus Aurelius and Stoic Practices
***
Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe
Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod
If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.
Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/
Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/
![Essential Stoic Concepts: Indifferents (Episode 136) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/5748afa3-a491-4a7b-8c88-6624de3a1f8a.png)
![Parker Settecase on Journaling Like Marcus Aurelius (Episode 132) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/c48d6ecf-8bec-4532-ac31-2be4bb28eda0.png)
![Judith Stove on Virtue, Providence, and Marcus as God (Episode 130) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/0bfb645c-a125-41b3-ac47-2e714aa64813.png)
![What Did The Stoics Believe About God? (Episode 129) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/930a9281-966f-48a3-a523-470001818199.png)
![Alex Petkas on Pompey and Posidonius (Episode 128) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/fc2abe16-36e6-4abe-8f42-2b05b8a79f77.png)
![Brian Johnson on Stoic Role Ethics (Episode 126) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/fb707716-deb5-4b20-9cb5-d700857b066d.png)
![Marcus Hedahl on the Mind Body Connection (Episode 124) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/d8e35875-dffc-47ea-955f-c2763460a2eb.jpeg)
![Transhumanism and Stoicism (Episode 123) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/c05773be-5ae5-4383-951f-1f2a04d39656.png)
![Every Situation Has Two Handles (Episode 121) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/0053cf00-74cc-4968-ae50-9998a51086f9.jpeg)
![Rob Colter on Stoic Freedom (Episode 120) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/50d21951-02bb-4965-9053-f828223050db.png)
![300, Stoicism, and the Philosophical Life (Episode 117) image](https://media.zencastr.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=90,quality=85/image-files/5dbf44095c655b001ce36a95/d36b8968-acfb-420e-a8e6-308498e1225e.png)