Marcus Aurelius: A Biography

... unless you have a particular interest in the history of the Roman Empire and/or the life of Marcus Aurelius. It does not read like a novel, as one previous reviewer claimed. It's quite long and detailed, and utterly devoid of salacious gossip. It does not advance any paradigmatic explanation for the 'decline and fall' of Rome, In fact, it scrupulously avoids all "post-modernist" leaps of speculation; author Anthony Birley examines his sources and presents ample documentation of his narrative, much of it from surviving correspondences of the principals, without over-drawing conclusions. This is a modestly stated, drily documented, dispassionate biography, without any hoopla or frills. And, as the song says, " that's the way I like It! Uh uh huh!"I do have a particular interest in Roman history. I studied Latin and I can still read it. Then I have lived in Rome, in a building constructed on the ruins of the Teatro Marcello, where Julius Caesar was assassinated. Every day I used to walk through the ruins around the Capitoline, past the Forum, often through the Arch of Titus and past the bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. It gets under your skin, Rome does. It's like penetrating the Mind of Time and fingering Memory itself. Memory is what explains things in flux - history, biological evolution, geology, and astrophysics. I also have a persistent interest in Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher emperor. So for me, this dry text was like rain on a parched cornfield or gelato to a footsore tourist.

This book leaves no stone unturned. By that I mean it discusses everyone surrounding Marcus Aurelius: family, tutors, titles, etc. It's a must-have for those interested in Stoicism and a more in depth look regarding the totality of circumstances.

A great, thorough and very well documented biography (re-constructed biography we should say) of this philosopher Emperor.While very thorough and "academic", it reads very well. -- In regard to the reviewer that complained of the extensive quotation of ancient authors ... that is exactly what bring us closer to those times. -- And, in regard to the extensive quotation of his OWN letters (correspondence), that is precisely puts us next to him, listening at his very own words !! -- We can not complain of that; we can only thank the gods that such extensive correspondence was ever preserved !!What a golden age, what a love of culture !! -- Oh tempore !! Oh mores !! -- Thank you for bringing us a glimpse of that era, Mr. Birley !!

In spite of its many flaws (pointed out by other reviewers), to me this is a riveting account of the life of Marcus Aurelius, both as human being and as emperor. Along the way it provides enough information for the non-expert to understand the historical and social contexts. The main body of the text occupies a little over two hundred pages of fine but easily read print. Seventy additional pages offer well-indexed additional information, as well as references to other sources. I went through it during a week's vacation that had plenty of distractions.

The book is good. Writer is verbose on minutia. It does give an incite to the life around Marcus as well as the man.Writer makes frequent mention of"the biographer". Funny I thought that was what he was.???