MARCUS AURLEIUS

Denomination:  Roman Denarius                                                         

Date: 161 -- 180 CE

Description:

Marcus Aurelius is best known as the philosopher-emperor who wrote down his "meditations" in Greek; they are among the best examples of stoic philosophy which we have. "Plato's judgment was always on his lips, that states flourished if philosophers ruled or rulers were philosophers." It is this quality of Marcus' character which has made him a unique figure in Roman history, since he was the first emperor whose life was molded by, and devoted to, philosophy.