Philosophy Self-Help History

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius (Summary)

by Donald Robertson

Imagine being the most powerful man in the world, celebrating a grand military triumph. As thousands cheer, a slave stands behind you in your chariot, whispering a single phrase into your ear over and over: 'Memento mori' — 'Remember you are mortal.' This was a real practice for Roman emperors, designed not to deflate their ego, but to build an unshakeable inner fortress against the chaos of fame, power, and misfortune.

It's Not Events That Upset Us, but Our Judgments About Them

The core of Stoicism is recognizing that external events are neutral. Our suffering comes from the subjective value judgments we attach to them. We can't control what happens, but we have absolute power over how we interpret it.

When Marcus Aurelius's most trusted general, Avidius Cassius, betrayed him and declared himself emperor, Marcus's response wasn't rage. Instead of judging it as a catastrophic betrayal, he viewed it as an opportunity to practice clemency and forgiveness, famously hoping to capture Cassius not to punish him, but to show him mercy.

Practice the 'View from Above'

To shrink your anxieties, Stoics practice mentally zooming out to see their life from a cosmic perspective. Visualizing yourself from high above puts personal problems in their proper, often insignificant, context.

Overwhelmed by plagues, wars, and political intrigue, Marcus would imagine looking down on the entire Roman Empire from the stars. From this vantage point, the frantic activities of humans, their borders, and their conflicts would appear as trivial as an 'ant-hill,' calming his mind and restoring his sense of perspective.

Contemplate the Worst to Appreciate the Present

Stoics practice 'premeditatio malorum' or negative visualization—vividly imagining losing the things they cherish. This doesn't make them pessimistic; it prepares them for adversity and makes them deeply grateful for what they have right now.

Marcus Aurelius lost at least eight of his thirteen children. He would have practiced for such tragedies by meditating on their potential loss, not to be morbid, but to cherish the time he had with them fully and to build the resilience needed to endure life's inevitable hardships without breaking.

Treat Obstacles as Your Fuel

The Stoic ideal of 'Amor Fati' (love of fate) means not just accepting what happens but embracing it. Every obstacle is a chance to practice a virtue—courage, patience, or wisdom. The obstacle doesn't block the path; it becomes the path.

Marcus spent much of his reign fighting brutal wars on the cold, northern frontier. Instead of despairing, he used the grueling campaign as his personal training ground for Stoic virtue. The constant danger and hardship became the very material for his philosophical practice, which he recorded in his journal, the Meditations.

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