The Early Life and Influences of Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius, born on April 26, 121 A.D. in Rome, was initially known as Marcus Catelius Severus. His early life was shaped by a prominent family background, with his father, Marcus Annius Verus, actively involved in Roman politics as part of the Patrician class. Despite his father’s early death, Marcus’s upbringing was influenced by his mother, Domitia Calvilla, who came from a wealthy Patrician family, and his paternal grandfather, also named Marcus Annius Verus, who officially adopted him.
Family Background and Upbringing
- Father’s Role: Marcus’s father held the rank of Praetor, a significant administrative and judicial position in Rome.
- Mother’s Wealth: His mother inherited substantial wealth, including a successful tile and brickworks, contributing to the family’s prosperity.
- Grandfather’s Influence: His grandfather, a key figure in the Annius clan’s admission to the Patrician class, played a crucial role in Marcus’s early development. Marcus later acknowledged his grandfather’s influence on his “decency and a mild temper” in his “Meditations.”
- Early Practices: Marcus was given to a wet nurse, a practice common among elites but disapproved of by historians like Tacitus.
Early Life and Education
- Sister’s Birth: A year or two after Marcus’s birth, his sister, Annia Cornificia Faustina, was born.
- Adoption: His paternal grandfather adopted him, further solidifying his position within the influential Annius clan.
- Philosophical Seeds: The foundations of his later philosophical pursuits, particularly Stoicism, were likely laid during these formative years, influenced by his family’s values and the intellectual environment of Rome.
Vocabulary Table
| Term | Pronunciation | Definition | Used in sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emperor | /ˈɛmpərər/ | A sovereign ruler of great power and rank, especially one ruling an empire. | The Man known to history as Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was born on the 26th of April 121 A.D. |
| Patrician | /pəˈtrɪʃən/ | An aristocrat or nobleman. | His father Marcus Annies virus part of the anius clan originating from Spain played an active role in the politics of Rome as part of the Patrician class. |
| Praetor | /ˈpriːtər/ | An ancient Roman magistrate ranking below a consul. | This was a title which conferred administrative and judicial duties but was below the rank of Consul Marcus was serving as Prater when he died in 124 A.D. |
| Conferred | /kənˈfɜːrd/ | Granted (a title, degree, benefit, or right). | This was a title which conferred administrative and judicial duties. |
| Judicial | /dʒuˈdɪʃəl/ | Of, by, or appropriate to a court or judge. | This was a title which conferred administrative and judicial duties. |
| Consul | /ˈkɒnsəl/ | One of the two annually elected chief magistrates of the Roman republic. | He had not yet been appointed to the rank of Consul which had a minimum age of Entry of 32. |
| Wealthy | /ˈwɛlθi/ | Having a great deal of money, resources, or assets; rich. | Marcus’s mother damitia calvilla came from a wealthy Patrician family. |
| Eminent | /ˈɛmɪnənt/ | (Of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession. | A practice which was strongly disapproved of by tacitus the eminent historian. |
| Paternal | /pəˈtɜːrnəl/ | Of or appropriate to a father. | Marcus was raised by his mother and paternal grandfather. |
| Decency | /ˈdiːsnsi/ | Behavior that conforms to accepted standards of morality or respectability. | From my grandfather virus I learned decency and a mild temper. |
Vocabulary Flashcards
Embedded Video:
Fill in the Blanks Exercise
1. The Man known to history as Emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was born on the 26th of April 121 A.D in the city of Rome the of the Roman Empire.
2. His father Marcus Annies virus part of the anius clan originating from Spain played an active role in the of Rome.
3. He had attained the rank of .
4. This was a title which conferred administrative and duties.
5. Marcus was serving as Prater when he died in 124 A.D given that he had not yet been appointed to the rank of .
6. Marcus’s mother damitia calvilla came from a Patrician family.
7. Dimitia had inherited great wealth from her mother including a large and successful tile and on the outskirts of the city.
8. Marcus was given over to the care of a wet nurse a practice which was strongly of by tacitus the eminent historian.
9. Marcus was raised by his mother and grandfather.
10. In his meditations Marcus would later write about his grandfather from my grandfather virus I learned and a mild temper.
Vocabulary Quiz
Fact or Fiction Quiz
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