Marcus Aurelius: A Biography

Rating:
Summary: A history book that reads like a novel
Review: This book about the emperor-philosopher who ruled the Roman empire in the late second century AD is pure joy. Written by Anthohy Birley, a professor of Ancient History, the book is a learned and comprehensive account of Aurelius' life and times. Marcus Aurelius was a fascinating figure - not only was he a mighty emperor, spending long years in the battle field and dealing with a horrible plague ravaging throughout the Roman Empire but he was also a philosopher who recorded his stoic reflections of commitment to virtue above pleasure in his "meditations". Birley manages in his book to bring this extraordinary man of 1800 years ago to life for today's reader, and I would recommend this book not only to scholars, studying Roman history, but also to anyone who likes quality reading - this is a well written history book that reads like a very good novel!