Marcus Aurelius, born on April 26, 121 AD, was a Roman emperor from 161-180 AD, noted as one of the Five Good Emperors of the Roman Empire. He is also recognized as a significant Stoic philosopher. His enduring piece of work, Meditations, recorded his private thoughts and principles, serving as a significant philosophical text on Stoicism.
His rule marked the end of a period of relative peace in the Roman Empire, and he spent much of his reign dealing with various military conflicts. Despite facing numerous adversaries and personal issues, he remained committed to the principles of Stoic philosophy until his death in 180 AD.