The Daily Stoic It’s Not That Complicated
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Dec 3, 2025 Dive into the intriguing contrast between Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. Discover how age and experience can shape leadership. Youthful power often leads to poor decisions, especially when advisors are dismissed. Learn why effective counsel is crucial in governance, and how historical lessons reveal the pitfalls of absolute rule. This engaging discussion highlights the profound impact that wisdom and guidance can have on a leader's legacy.
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Power's Age Matters
- Power corrupts regardless of age, but it is especially damaging to the young and inexperienced.
- Lack of advisors and decades of experience explain why Marcus Aurelius and Commodus ruled so differently.
Commodus's Youthful Rise
- Commodus became emperor at 18 and rejected the guidance of his father's appointed guardians and senators.
- That youthful elevation and dismissal of counsel doomed his reign compared to Marcus Aurelius's long apprenticeship.
Advisors Make A Difference
- Marcus Aurelius appointed many guardians and the best men in the Senate to advise his heir.
- Commodus dismissed their counsel and took his own path, which led to catastrophic failure.