Meditations
Written by Marcus Aurelius
Narrated by Peter Coates
5/5
()
About this audiobook
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.
The Meditations is divided into 12 books that chronicle different periods of Aurelius' life. Each book is not in chronological order and it was written for no one but himself. The style of writing that permeates the text is one that is simplified, straightforward, and perhaps reflecting Aurelius' Stoic perspective on the text. Depending on the English translation, Marcus' style is not viewed as anything regal or belonging to royalty, but rather a man among other men, which allows the reader to relate to his wisdom.
Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire from 161 to 180 AD. Born to an upper-class Roman family in 121, Aurelius was adopted by his uncle, the emperor Antoninus Pius, in 138. Aurelius studied Greek and Latin literature, philosophy, and law, and was especially influenced by the Stoic thinker Epictetus. After Pius’s death, Aurelius succeeded the throne alongside his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus. His reign was marked by plague, numerous military conflicts, and the deaths of friends and family—including Lucius Verus in 169. Despite these struggles, the Empire flourished under Marcus’s rule as the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an era from 27 to 180 of relative peace and prosperity for the Roman Empire. Aurelius wrote his Meditations as spiritual exercises never intended for publication, and died at fifty-eight while on campaign against the Germanic tribes.
More audiobooks from Marcus Aurelius
The Emperor's Handbook: A New Translation of The Meditations Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Meditations, On the Shortness of Life, The Enchiridion of Epictetus: The Ultimate Stoicism Collection Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5600 Quotes of Ancient Philosophy: Confucius, Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Plato, Socrates, Aristotle Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5300 Quotations from the Stoic Philosophers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Related to Meditations
Related audiobooks
Self-Reliance Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Be a Friend: An Ancient Guide to True Friendship Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Essays Book 9: Of Tranquillity of Mind Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Essays 6: Of Consolation to Marcia Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (Unabridged Version) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOf Peace of Mind Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Selections from the Writings of Cicero Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Meditations Of Marcus Aurelius Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Meditations Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Essays 10: On the Shortness of Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Meditations Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Meditations of Marcus Aurelius- Bonus Content: Seneca's On the Shortness of Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5On the Shortness of Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Little Book of Stoicism: Timeless Wisdom to Gain Resilience, Confidence, and Calmness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Enchiridion Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Be Free: An Ancient Guide to the Stoic Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Keep Your Cool: An Ancient Guide to Anger Management Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness and Effectiveness Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Die: An Ancient Guide to the End of Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Epictetus: The Enchiridion – The handbook of moral instructions: A manual of stoic philosophy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5On the Happy Life - The Complete Dialogues Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Essays 1: Of Providence Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Stoicism: Live a Life of Virtue - Complete Guide on Stoicism Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Essays 7: Of a Happy Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Enchiridion of Epictetus Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Have a Life: An Ancient Guide to Using Our Time Wisely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Essays 2: On the Firmness of the Wise Man Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Education Philosophy & Theory For You
Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice: Third Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSocial Skills: Improve Your Conversations and Develop Your Charisma Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Flirting Guide: How to Start Conversations and Flirt Like a Pro Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Hieroglyphic Monad Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Whatever You Say You Aren't with Robert Anton Wilson Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Unabomber Manifesto and Other Essays by Theodore Kaczynski Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Civics for the World to Come: Committing to Democracy in Every Classroom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Emerald Tablets of Thoth the Atlantean Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew, 3rd Edition Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5How to Improve Your Charisma: Stop Anxiety with Charismatic Communication and Improve Your Small talk Skills Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I Wish My Teacher Knew: How One Question Can Change Everything for Our Kids Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5You Are Not Special: ...And Other Encouragements Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Not Light, but Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming the Wonder in Your Child’s Education, A New Way to Homeschool Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Free-Range Kids: How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5On the Genealogy of Morality Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Why Knowledge Matters: Rescuing Our Children from Failed Educational Theories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Educate a Citizen: The Power of Shared Knowledge to Unify a Nation Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Privilege: The Making of an Adolescent Elite at St. Paul's School Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Little Soldiers: An American Boy, a Chinese School, and the Global Race to Achieve Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning (Second Edition) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Belonging: The Science of Creating Connection and Bridging Divides Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Creating Social and Emotional Learning Environments Audiobook Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Pedagogy of the Oppressed: 50th Anniversary Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Trouble With Black Boys: ...And Other Reflections on Race, Equity, and the Future of Public Education Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Meditations
1 rating0 reviews