Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher. He was the last of the so called Five Good Emperors and ruled at the end of the Pax Romana. Much of his reign was spent defending the empire's borders. During his campaigns he wrote private notes to himself on duty, patience and the shortness of life. These were later gathered as the Meditations, which people still read for comfort and clarity.