MARCUS AURELIUS (caesar, 139-161)

„I did not waste time studying the mysteries of the heavens. (Meditations)” On February 26, 138 CE, the 17-year-old Marcus was adopted by the husband of his aunt, Emperor Antoninus Pius. The boy changed his name and guardian. He continued his education under the guidance of the greatest thinkers and sages of the era. He studied philosophy, Greek, and the arts.

His teacher of Greek was Herodes Atticus, and his Latin instructor was Cornelius Fronto. His third mentor, a modest art teacher named Diognetus, instilled in Marcus “a distaste for trivialities, disbelief in the words of magicians and charlatans about charms and exorcising evil spirits.” Instead, he inspired in him “a familiarity with philosophy, the art of writing dialogues from an early age, and a love of a simple bed covered with a hide.”

Denomination: Denarius, Ag