The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Translated by Meric Casaubon (1900) Free PDF book









On his father's death, Marcus was adopted by his grandfather, the consular Annius Verus, and there was deep love between these two. On the very first page of his book, Marcus gratefully declares how of his grandfather he had learned to be gentle and meek and to refrain from all anger and passion. Emperor Hadrian divined the fine character of the lad, whom he used to call not Verus but Verissimus, more Truthful than his own name. He advanced Marcus to equestrian rank when six years of age, and at the age of eight made him a member of the ancient Salian priesthood. The boy's aunt, Annia Galeria Faustina, was married to Antoninus Pius, afterward emperor. Hence it came about that Antoninus, having no son, adopted Marcus, changing his name to that which 'Author : Marcus AureliusTranslator: Meric CasaubonDate: 1900