This novel biography brings Marcus Aurelius (121-180 CE) to life for a new generation of readers by exploring the emperor's fascinating psychological journey. Donald J. Robertson examines Marcus's relationships with key figures in his life, such as his mother, Domitia Lucilla, and the emperor Hadrian, as well as his Stoic tutors. He draws extensively on Marcus's own Meditations and correspondence, and he examines the emperor's actions as detailed in the Augustan History and other ancient texts.

Prologue: Truth in the Meditations -- The mother of Caesar -- Verissimus the philosopher -- The Greek training -- Hadrian's vendettas -- The deah of Hadrain -- Disciple of Antoninus -- Disciple of Rusticas -- The two emperors -- The Parthian invasion -- The war of Lucius Verus -- Parthicus Maximus -- The Antonine plague -- The war of many nations -- Germanicus -- Sarmaticus -- Cassius the Usurper -- The civil war -- The setting sun -- Epilogue: The hall of mysteries.