MEDITATIONS

Marcus Aelius Aurelius Antoninus 121180. was adopted by the emperor Antoninus Pius and succeeded him in 161 (as joint emperor with adoptive brother Lucius Verus). He ruled alone from 169. He spent much of his reign in putting down variou rebellions and was a persecutor of Christians. His fame rest above all on his Meditations a series of reflections strongly influenced by Epictetus which represent a Stoic outlook on life. He died in 180 and was succeed by his natural son thus ending the period of the adoptive emperors.Diskin Clay is Professor of Classical Studies at Duke University and has published widely in the area of Ancient Greek Philosophy.Martin Hammond is Head Master of Tonbridge School and has translated Homers Iliad for Penguin Classics.Martin Hammonds translation of Marcus Aurelius Meditations like his Iliad and Odyssey is the work of an unusually gifted translator and one who understands the value added by careful attention to supplementary material. He writes natural English direct and often eloquent: the text is well supported by effective notes and a characteristically thorough and wellplanned index: Diskin Clay supplies a useful introduction. This is a fine volumeMarcus is well served by this new translation. Hammond has a pithy turn of phrase to match the emperors own . . . His notes abound in helpful explanation and illuminating crossreference. Diskin Clay contributes a sparkling and sympathetic introduction. The combination of introduction translation and notes is as good as they getTheir icy blasts are refreshing and restorative. They tell you the worst. And having heard the worst you feel less bad Blake MorrisonWritten in Greek by the only Roman emperor who was also a philosopher without any intention of publication the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius offer a remarkable series of challenging spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the emperor struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. While the Meditations were composed to provide personal consolation and encouragement Marcus Aurelius also created one of the greatest of all works of philosophy: a timeless collection that has been consulted and admired by statesmen thinkers and readers throughout the centuries.Translated with notes by MARTIN HAMMOND with an Introduction by DISKIN CLAY