Meditations

A timeless guide to Stoic philosophy and inner peace. Marcus Aurelius's personal reflections on virtue, resilience, and living well are brought to life through Gregory Hays's acclaimed translation. Ryan Holiday's foreword provides modern context for these ancient wisdom teachings. Essential reading for anyone seeking clarity and purpose.

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Meditations

Author

Marcus Aurelius. Translated by Gregory Hays

Publisher

Modern Library

Format

Paperback

Pages

272

Size

8 x 5.16 x 0.59 Inches

ISBN

978-0812968255

About the author

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was born to an upper-class Roman family in A.D. 121 and was later adopted by the future emperor Antoninus Pius, whom he succeeded in 161. His reign was marked by a successful campaign against Parthia, but was overshadowed in later years by plague, an abortive revolt in the eastern provinces, and the deaths of friends and family, including his co-emperor Lucius Verus. A student of philosophy from his earliest youth, he was especially influenced by the first-century Stoic thinker Epictetus. His later reputation rests on his Meditations, written during his later years and never meant for formal publication. He died in 180, while campaigning against the barbarian tribes on Rome’s northern frontier.

Gregory Hays is assistant professor of classics at the University of Virginia. He has published articles and reviews on various ancient writers and is currently completing a translation and critical study of the mythographer Fulgentius.