i hadn't actually read the correspondence with fronto before preparing for this programme. And i, you know, to my ears, it read as if this was a really intimate and romantic relationship. So they're not suggesting there was some sort of corrupt and dangerous relationship between teacher and pupil. I think it's a heightened emotional sense that gives us some idea of the sensitivity and intimacy that you might expect from a philosopher. Marcus is interested in philosophy from about 11 or 12. He's got stoic mentals from quite early on, in his teens. The letters survive, and they are not going to be deeply embarrassing to the emperor.
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the man who, according to Machiavelli, was the last of the Five Good Emperors. Marcus Aurelius, 121 to 180 AD, has long been known as a model of the philosopher king, a Stoic who, while on military campaigns, compiled ideas on how best to live his life, and how best to rule. These ideas became known as his Meditations, and they have been treasured by many as an insight into the mind of a Roman emperor, and an example of how to avoid the corruption of power in turbulent times.
The image above shows part of a bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius.
With
Simon Goldhill
Professor of Greek Literature and Culture and Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge
Angie Hobbs
Professor of the Public Understanding of Philosophy at the University of Sheffield
And
Catharine Edwards
Professor of Classics and Ancient History at Birkbeck, University of London
Producer: Simon Tillotson