Other names: Stoic Emperor, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, Philosopher Emperor, Fifth Good Emperor, The Philosopher
Master: Raphael Maillard
One of the greatest emperors of Rome. After the death of Antoninus Pius, he rose to power and decided to reign together with his adoptive brother Lucius Verus. The young Marcus Aurelius was not an experienced military man, having spent most of his life studying philosophy and literature, so many doubted his ability to lead the mighty Empire. However, despite the doubts of most, Marcus Aurelius proved to be a man of great courage and strong determination.
The emperor was faced with a severe plague that struck the Empire after the Parthian campaigns. The weakening of the borders allowed several Germanic peoples to make inroads into Roman territory... Marcomanni, Quadi, Iazyges, Chatti, Suebi, Roxolani, Bastarnae, Costoboci, and other Germanic tribes began to plunder the Roman colonies and invade the imperial territory.
The emperor undertook to direct military operations against these populations to put an end to their attacks. Upon the death of Lucius Verus, Marcus Aurelius decided to rely on Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus (a Roman commander of Syrian origins) and Publius Elvius Pertinax. The two commanders were employed in the offensive against the invaders. When the Marcomanni and Quadi entered the Empire, they sacked and destroyed Oderzo leaving behind thousands of civilian casualties. Their new objective was then the city of Aquileia and so they decided to besiege it, but luckily Pompeianus and Pertinax successfully repulsed them and saved the city.
Other Germanic tribes penetrated into Roman territory and began to attack Roman and Greek colonies and sanctuaries (the sanctuary of Eleusis was set on fire by the Costoboci). Marcus Aurelius, therefore, decided to change his strategy: instead of defending the borders, he chose to march into the territories of the enemies and to massacre anyone who dared to resist. The emperor's goal became conquest. Marcomanni, Quadi and Iazyges were decimated and forced to surrender. Later the emperor planned the conquest of the Sarmatian lands to end the threat from the Sarmatians. The campaigns were a success, but did not lead to the desired results.
The emperor's last campaign was made against the Marcomanni and the Quadi, who had decided to attack the borders of the Empire again. Again the emperor had in mind to conquer them, but he died during the campaigns.
In times of war he wrote the Meditations, an example of his stoic philosophy and of the depth of his soul. Today he is considered one of the best emperors of Rome.
