Presents an introduction to the life and times of the Roman philosopher and emperor, the fundamental principles and concepts of Stoicism, the recurring themes and structure of The Meditations, and the work's impact.

Marcus Aurelius was Emperor of Rome from 121 to 180. Marcus Aurelius believed that human happiness arises in part from man's acceptance of his duties and responsibilities. He believed that one should accept calmly what cannot be avoided and perform one's duties as well as possible. From the introduction " By the irony of fate this man, so gentle and good, so desirous of quiet joys and a mind free from care, was set at the head of the Roman Empire when great dangers threatened from east and west. For several years he himself commanded his armies in chief. In camp before the Quadi he dates the first book of his Meditations, and shows how he could retire within himself amid the coarse clangour of arms. The pomps and glories which he despised were all his; what to most men is an ambition or a dream, to him was a round of weary tasks which nothing but the stern sense of duty could carry him through. And he did his work well. His wars were slow and tedious, but successful. With a statesman's wisdom he foresaw the danger to Rome of the barbarian hordes from the north, and took measures to meet it. As it was, his settlement gave two centuries of respite to the Roman Empire; had he fulfilled the plan of pushing the imperial frontiers to the Elbe, which seems to have been in his mind, much more might have been accomplished. But death cut short his designs."

Product Description: The resurgence of interest in Cicero's political philosophy in the last twenty years demands a re-evaluation of Cicero's ideal statesman and its relationship not only to Cicero's political theory but also to his practical politics...read more

The Consolation of Philosophy is a philosophical work by Boethius written around the year 524. It has been described as the single most important and influential work in the West on Medieval and early Renaissance Christianity. Even though reference is often made to God, the book is not strictly religious. A link is often assumed, yet there is no reference made to Jesus Christ or Christianity or any other specific religion. God is however represented not only as an eternal and all-knowing being, but as the source of all Good. Boethius writes the book as a conversation between himself and Lady Philosophy. She consoles Boethius by discussing the transitory nature of fame and wealth ("no man can ever truly be secure until he has been forsaken by Fortune"), and the ultimate superiority of things of the mind, which she calls the "one true good". She contends that happiness comes from within, and that one's virtue is all that one truly has, because it is not imperilled by the vicissitudes of fortune.

A keepsake collection of the philosopher king's private meditations is a modern translation of his perspectives on the world's forefront religions and ethical traditions that also illuminates his role at the center of second-century culture. Original.

A poem that demonstrates to humanity that in death there is nothing to fear since the soul is mortal, and the world and everything in it is governed by the mechanical laws of nature and not by gods; and that by believing this men can live in peace of mind and happiness.

Product Description: Marco Aurelio nace el 26 de abril del ano 121 d. C. en el seno de una familia aristocratica que cuenta con la confianza del emperador. Desde su primera infancia parece destinado a ocupar puestos relevantes en el Imperio y muy temprano comienza a integrarse en lo mas alto de la vida ciudadana...read more

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This modern-day interpretation of 230 of Marcus Aurelius's meditations on life, death and happiness, contemplates such themes as: self-improvement and the difficulties of living a virtuous life; how to deal with the many emotions we experience; and the beauty of nature and the nature of the mind.

Product Description: Virgil's agricultural poem, the Georgics, forms part of a long tradition of didactic epic going back to the archaic poet Hesiod. This book explores the relationship between the Georgics and earlier works in the didactic tradition, particularly Lucretius' De Rerum Natura ("On the Nature of Things")...read more

Product Description: Cicero's On the Commonwealth and On the Laws are his most important works of political philosophy. The present volume offers a scholarly reconstruction of the fragments of On the Commonwealth and a masterly translation of both dialogues...read more (view table of contents, read Amazon.com's description)

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Product Description: This is a new verse translation of Lucretius's only known work, a didactic poem written in six books of hexameters. Melville's particularly literal translation of the use of metaphor is especially helpful to those looking at the text from a scientific or philosophical point of view...read more