Lucius' character was revealed to be weak and base when he was supposed to be leading the Roman counter-offensive against the Parthian invasion. Binge drinking, casual sex, gambling and partying became his way of coping with the pressures of his role as Marcus Aurelius' junior co-emperor. I think Marcus perhaps watched helpless as Lucius' life disintegrated and he vowed that he would never let himself make the same mistakes. Instead he spent decades improving his character through training and stoicism. If Lucius had practiced stoicism like his brother could, could it have helped him? I wonder.
How to drink like a Roman emperor, if that emperor is Marcus Aurelius. In this episode I explore the relationship between Stoic philosophy and the Twelve Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous, discussing how Stoicism can help those suffering from alcoholism, as well as their friends and families. I spot parallels between the Twelve Step advice and Stoic teachings, and give examples from the life of Marcus Aurelius. I talk about how his wayward brother, and co-emperor, Lucius Verus, was almost certainly an alcoholic. Also, Frank, retired NYPD police officer, shares his experience of combining Stoicism the Twelve Step Program.
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The original article is available on Substack, titled How to Drink Like a Roman Emperor.
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