
audiobook
by John C. (John Chrisentia) Joy
CHAPTER I PRELUDE
CHAPTER II THE BOY STOIC
CHAPTER III A PHILOSOPHER ON THE THRONE
CHAPTER IV LIFE IN THE PALACE
CHAPTER V ON THE DANUBE
CHAPTER VI THE BOOK OF MEDITATIONS
CHAPTER VII LAST DAYS IN ROME
CHAPTER VIII “THE END OF THE OLD WORLD”
CHAPTER IX THE MARTYRS OF CHRIST
CHAPTER X THE PAGAN À KEMPIS
Through thoughtful narration, this study invites listeners to meet the Roman emperor who still feels strikingly contemporary. Marcus Aurelius, celebrated for his blend of power and personal virtue, is presented not as a distant myth but as a fellow traveler grappling with the same temptations and aspirations that confront us today. The author opens with a vivid portrait of an age of excess, drawing a line from ancient decadence to the moral confusion of the modern world.
The core of the work follows the emperor’s own meditations, exploring how his lofty ideals shaped his rule and his private life. By placing his philosophy alongside the Christian concept of grace, the author highlights the tension between natural virtue and supernatural aid, offering a fresh lens for both believers and secular seekers. Listeners will come away with a richer understanding of how a pagan ruler’s commitment to wisdom can still inspire ethical living in our own uncertain age.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (170K characters)
Release date
2026-03-30
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1884–1950

by F. W. (Frederic William) Farrar

by Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius

by Emperor of Rome Marcus Aurelius

by F. W. (Frederic William) Farrar

by Matthew Arnold

by Surendranath Dasgupta

by Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche