Brainy Quote ~ Marcus Aurelius 036 “Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.” ~ Marcus Aurelius 036 ~ Ok "Abaikan rasa lukamu dan luka itu sendiri akan hilang." ~ Marcus Aurelius 036 ~ Ok Apakah Anda pernah mengalami luka fisik? Kemudian, apakah Anda pernah merasakan luka batin? Manakah yang lebih menyakitkan? Menurut sebagian besar orang yang pernah mengalaminya, luka fisik akan sembuh dalam beberapa minggu atau mungkin dalam beberapa hari. Sementara, luka batin belum tentu sembuh dalam sekian bulan bahkan bertahun-tahun setelahnya. Dengan demikian, mereka menyatakan luka batin jauh lebih sakit dan lebih lama dibandingkan luka fisik. Namun, luka manapun yang pernah Anda alami, Anda memiliki kendali untuk mengabaikan rasa sakitnya. Sehingga, luka itu dapat hilang dari rasa walaupun sesungguhnya ia masih ada. Demikianlah pernyataan yang pernah disampaikan Marcus Aurelius, seorang kaisar Romawi dan pemimpin militer, hidup dalam rentang tahun 121-180 M, lewat quote-nya, ‘Reject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears.’ Secara bebas diterjemahkan, ‘Abaikan rasa lukamu dan luka itu sendiri akan hilang.’ Rasa sakit merupakan pengalaman yang tidak dapat dihindari oleh manusia sebagai makhluk yang hidup. Kita tak dapat selalu memperoleh keadaan atau merasakan suasana yang seturut kemauan kita. Kita mungkin saja tersakiti oleh sesuatu hal atau oleh orang lain, baik teman, saudara, atasan, kolega, atau bahkan oleh anak, keponakan, atau orang-orang yang lebih muda dari kita. Namun, rasa sakit itu tergantung pada kita. Bila kita membiarkan ia menguasai fisik dan jiwa kita, ia akan terus bersemayam di dalam diri kita. Tetapi, bila kita mampu mengendalikan atau menguasainya, maka kita dapat mengabaikan bahwa ia ada. Sehingga, kita terbebas dari rasa sakit manapun, baik sakit fisik apalagi sakit batin. Brainy Quote ~ Marcus Aurelius 004-036 Page 1 Kemampuan kita mengabaikannya adalah satu-satunya cara untuk tidak ‘berkubang’ di lumpur rasa sakit. Ketika kita merasakan rasa sakit, sesungguhnya karena kita mengijinkannya menyakiti diri kita. Namun, bila kita mampu menguasainya dengan seolah-olah bahwa ia telah tiada, maka itulah faktanya bagi kita. Bangkitlah! Lanjutkan hidupmu! Jangan terus berada dalam kondisi rasa sakit. Hidupmu dalam kendalimu. Maka, kendalikan rasa sakitmu. Abaikan dia, maka ia tidak akan bersemayam lama di dalam hati dan pikiranmu. Indonesia, 22 Januari 2019 Riset Corporation --- Marcus Aurelius Biography.com Scholar, Emperor, Military Leader (121–180) As Emperor of Rome from 161-180, Marcus Aurelius kept the empire safe from the Parthians and Germans, but is best known for his intellectual pursuits. Synopsis Marcus Aurelius was born on April 26, 121, in Italy, and was chosen by Emporer Hadrian to be his eventual successor. In 161, Aurelius took control of the Roman Empire along with his brother Verus. War and disease threatened Rome on all sides. Aurelius held his territory, but was weakened as a ruler after the death of his brother Verus. His son Commodus later became co-ruler in 177, only three years before Aurelius died on March 17, 180. Early Life Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was born on April 26, 121, in Rome, Italy. Known for his philosophical interests, Aurelius was one of the most respected emperors in Roman history. He was born into a wealthy and politically prominent family. Growing up, Aurelius was a dedicated student, learning Latin and Greek. But his greatest intellectual interest was Stoicism, a philosophy that emphasized fate, reason and self-restraint. Discourses, written by a former slave and Stoic philosopher Epictetus, had a great deal of influence over Marcus Aurelius. His serious and hard-working nature was even noticed by Emperor Hadrian. After his earlier choice for a successor died, Hadrian adopted Titus Aurelius Antoninus (who would be known as Emperor Pius Antonius) to succeed him as an emperor. Hadrian also arranged for Antoninus to adopt Marcus Aurelius and the son of his earlier successor. Around the age of 17, Marcus Aurelius became the son of Antoninus. He worked alongside his adopted father while learning the ways of government and public affairs. Entry into Politics In 140, Aurelius became consul, or leader of the senate—a post he would hold two more times in his lifetime. As the years passed, he received more responsibilities and official powers, evolving into a strong source of support and counsel for Antoninus. Aurelius also continued his philosophical studies and developed an interest in law. Along with his burgeoning career, Aurelius seemed to have a contented personal life. He married Faustina, the emperor’s daughter, in 145. Together they had many children, though some did not live for long. Best known are their daughter Lucilla and their son Commodus. Brainy Quote ~ Marcus Aurelius 004-036 Page 2 Becoming Emperor After his adoptive father died in 161, Aurelius rose to power and was officially then known as Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus. While some sources indicate that Antoninus selected him as his only successor, Aurelius insisted that his adopted brother served as his co-ruler. His brother was Lucius Aurelius Verus Augustus (usually referred to as Verus). Unlike the peaceful and prosperous rule of Antoninus, the joint reign of the two brothers was marked by war and disease. In the 160s, they battled with the Parthian empire for control over lands in the East. Verus oversaw the war effort while Aurelius stayed in Rome. Much of their success in this conflict has been attributed to the generals working under Verus, especially Avidius Cassius. He was later made governor of Syria. Returning soldiers brought some type of disease back with them to Rome, which lingered for years and wiped out a portion of the population. As the Parthian War ended, the two rulers had to face another military conflict with German tribes in the late 160s. German tribes crossed the Danube River and attacked a Roman city. After raising the necessary funds and troops, Aurelius and Verus went off to fight the invaders. Verus died in 169 so Aurelius pushed on alone, attempting to drive away the Germans. Challenges to His Authority In 175, he faced another challenge—this time for his very position. After hearing a rumor about Aurelius being deathly ill, Avidius Cassius claimed the title of emperor for himself. This forced Aurelius to travel to the East to regain control. But he did not have to fight Cassius as he was murdered by his own soldiers. Instead Aurelius toured eastern provinces with his wife, re-establishing his authority. Unforunately, Faustina died during this trip. While once again battling the German tribes, Aurelius made his son Commodus his co-ruler in 177. Together they fought the northern enemies of the empire. Aurelius even hoped to extend the empire’s borders through this conflict, but Aurelius didn't live long enough to see this vision to completion. Marcus Aurelius died on March 17, 180. His son Commodus became emperor and soon ended the northern military efforts. Marcus Aurelius, however, is not best remembered for the wars he waged, but for his contemplative nature and his rule driven by reason. A collection of his thoughts have been published in a work called The Meditations. Based on his Stoic beliefs, the work is filled with his notes on life. Adopted from: http://www.biography.com/people/marcus-aurelius-9192657 Marcus Aurelius Biography Marcus Aurelius was one of the most cherished Roman emperors in history. Go through this article to learn more about his profile, childhood, life and timeline. Quick Facts Also Known As: Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus Famous As: Roman Emperor Nationality: Ancient Roman Birth Date: April 26, 0121 Died at Age: 58 Sun Sign: Taurus Brainy Quote ~ Marcus Aurelius 004-036 Page 3 Born In: Rome Father: Marcus Annius Verus Mother: Domitia Lucilla Spouse/Partner: Faustina The Younger Died On: March 17, 0180 Place of Death: Vindobona Personality: ISFJ Marcus Aurelius was one of the most revered Roman Emperors who believed in placing his empire before everything else in his life. To date, his name is well-maintained in antiquity. An eager follower of Stoicism, his philosophical ideals and writings were all compiled and preserved in a dairy for over ten years, which is known to the world today as ‘Meditations’. At a time when battle and malady destabilized the Roman empire from all sides, Aurelius made sure that he was every bit the emperor his people wanted him to be, by protecting them from the callousness of the Germans and the Parthians. As a young boy, it is believed that this powerful leader was in fact, an earnest child and took to music, drama, literature, the sciences and geometry to keep himself busy. In his youth, he studied philosophy with fervor for the next couple of decades and also developed an interest in law, which earned him the position of the leader of the senate. During his reign as the emperor, he fought the northern nemeses along with his brother, Verus and son, Commodus and began to expand his empire’s borders despite all the war pandemonium. Today, he is remembered for his writings, reflective nature and his statute driven by cause. Childhood & Early Life • Marcus Aurelius was born on 26 April 121 into a wealthy, prominent family in Rome, Italy. He was extremely bright as a young boy and was a dedicated student, tutored by many private educators. • He was passionate about literature, music, Latin and Greek, but took great interest and absorbed himself in the works of the Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, who had a great influence over the Roman emperor’s ideologies from very early on. This sort of intellectual dedication was noticed by the- then emperor, Hadrian. • After Hadrian’s former choice of heir passed away, he adopted Titus Aurelius Antoninus to succeed him as emperor. Hadrian also organized for Antoninus to embrace and take young Aurelius under his wing at the age of 17.