Written by an intellectual Roman emperor without any intention of publication, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius are the spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the leader struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe.
Marcus Aelius Aurelius Antoninus, 121-180. 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 Homer's Iliad for Penguin Classics.
Martin Hammond's 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 well-planned index;
Diskin Clay supplies a useful introduction. This is a fine
volume
*Greece & Rome Journal*
Marcus is well served by this new translation. Hammond has a pithy
turn of phrase to match the emperor's own . . . His notes abound in
helpful explanation and illuminating cross-reference. Diskin Clay
contributes a sparkling and sympathetic introduction. The
combination of introduction, translation and notes is as good as
they get
*Journal of Classics Teaching*
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