BLACKWELL BLACKWELL COMPANIONS TO THE ANCIENT WORLD COMPANIONS TO THE ANCIENT WORLD t h e e d i t o r A COMPANION TO A COMPANION TO Marcel van Ackeren is Associated Professor/ A COMPANION TO Senior Research Fellow in the Philosophy MARCUS AURELIUS MARCUS Department at the University of Cologne. He is the author of Das Wissen vom Guten. Bedeutung Contributors to this volume: AURELIUS und Kontinuität des Tugendwissens in den Dialogen MARCUS AURELIUS Platons (2003), Heraklit (2005), Understanding E D I T E D B Y Marcel van Ackeren, Martin Beckmann, Anthony R. Birley, Ancient Philosophy (edited with Jörn Müller, EDITED BY VAN ACKEREN marcus MARCEL VAN ACKEREN 2006), The Political Identity of the West. Platonism Lukas de Blois, Susanne Börner, Dietrich Boschung, Julia Bruch, A COMPANION TO in the Dialogue of Cultures (edited with Orrin F. Matteo Ceporina, Werner Eck, Mark J. Edwards, Michael Erler, Considered the last of the “Five Good Emperors,” Summerell, 2006), Die Philosophie Marc Aurels, 2 Thomas Fischer, Pascale Fleury, Angelo Giavatto, Christopher Gill, Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire vols. (2011), and Meditations and Representations. Jean-Baptiste Gourinat, Olivier Hekster, Katrin Herrmann, aurelius from ad 161 until his death in 180 – yet his Marcus Aurelius in Interdisciplinary Light (edited Leofranc Holford-Strevens, Péter Kovács, Jill Kraye, Anthony A. Long, influence on philosophy continues to resonate with Jan Opsomer, 2012). Irmgard Männlein-Robert, Gretchen Reydams-Schils, Amy Richlin, EDITED BY Marcel van ackeren in the modern age through his Meditations. A David Sedley, John Sellars, Peter Stewart Companion to Marcus Aurelius presents the first comprehensive collection of essays to explore all essential facets relating to contemporary ALSO AVAILABLE IN THIS SERIES: Marcus Aurelius studies. Featuring contributions from top international scholars in relevant fields, initial readings provide an overview of source material by addressing such topics as manuscript transmission, historical written sources, archaeological evidence, artifacts, and coins. Readings continue with state-of-the-art discussions of various aspects of Marcus Aurelius – his personal biography; political, cultural, and intellectual background; and aspects of his role as emperor, reformer of administration, military leader, and lawgiver. His Meditations are analyzed in detail, including the form of the book, his way of writing, and the various aspects of his philosophy. The final series of readings addresses evolving aspects of his reception. A Companion to Marcus Aurelius offers important new insights on a figure of late antiquity whose unique voice has withstood the centuries to influence contemporary life. Jacket image: Marcus Aurelius, fragment of a bronze portrait, Roman, after 170 CE. Musée du Louvre, Paris, photo by Marie-Lan Nguyen / Wikimedia Commons. Jacket design by Workhaus A COMPANION TO MARCUS AURELIUS BLACKWELL COMPANIONS TO THE ANCIENT WORLD This series provides sophisticated and authoritative overviews of periods of ancient history, genres of classical literature, and the most important themes in ancient culture. Each volume comprises between twenty-five and forty concise essays written by individual scholars within their area of specialization. The essays are written in a clear, provocative, and lively manner, designed for an international audience of scholars, students, and general readers. ANCIENT HISTORY A Companion to Greek Religion Published Edited by Daniel Ogden A Companion to the Roman Army A Companion to the Classical Tradition Edited by Paul Erdkamp Edited by Craig W. 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Skinner Near East A Companion to Roman Religion Edited by Daniel Potts Edited by Jorg€ Rupke€ A COMPANION TO MARCUS AURELIUS Edited by Marcel van Ackeren This edition first published 2012 Ó 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Blackwell Publishing was acquired by John Wiley & Sons in February 2007. Blackwell’s publishing program has been merged with Wiley’s global Scientific, Technical, and Medical business to form Wiley-Blackwell. Registered Office John Wiley & Sons Ltd, The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK Editorial Offices 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148–5020, USA 9600 Garsington Road, Oxford, OX4 2DQ, UK The Atrium, Southern Gate, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 8SQ, UK For details of our global editorial offices, for customer services, and for information about how to apply for permission to reuse the copyright material in this book please see our website at www.wiley.com/wiley-blackwell. The right of Marcel van Ackeren to be identified as the author of the editorial material in this work has been asserted in accordance with the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, except as permitted by the UK Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act 1988, without the prior permission of the publisher. Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats. Some content that appears in print may not be available in electronic books. Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A companion to Marcus Aurelius / edited by Marcel van Ackeren. p. cm. – (Blackwell companions to the ancient world) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-4051-9285-9 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of Rome, 121-180. 2. Rome–History–Marcus Aurelius, 161-180. 3. Emperors–Rome–Biography. I. Ackeren, Marcel van. DG297.C66 2012 9370.07092–dc23 2011040483 A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. Set in 11/13.5pt Galliard by Thomson Digital, India 1 2012 Contents List of Figures ix Notes on Contributors xi Preface xvii List of Abbreviations xix The Study of Marcus Aurelius: Introduction 1 Marcel van Ackeren PART I The Main Sources 11 1 Cassius Dio and the Historia Augusta 13 Anthony R. Birley 2 Archaeological Evidence of the Marcomannic Wars of Marcus Aurelius (AD 166–80) 29 Thomas Fischer 3 The Meditations 45 Matteo Ceporina 4 Marcus Aurelius’ Letters 62 Pascale Fleury 5 Epigraphic Records 77 Pe´ter Kova´cs PART II Biography and Background 93 6 The Political State of the Roman Empire 95 Werner Eck 7 Cultural and Intellectual Background and Development 110 Leofranc Holford-Strevens vi Contents 8 Early Life: Family, Youth, and Education 139 Anthony R. Birley 9 Marcus’ Life as Emperor 155 Anthony R. Birley 10 The Relation of Politics and Philosophy under Marcus Aurelius