Latest / Marcus Aurelius: Rome's Philosopher King — Fexingo History / The Death of Marcus Aurelius: His Final Days and Legacy
Transcript
- Lucas: So we've talked a lot about Marcus Aurelius's life — his philosophy, his wars, his reforms. But one thing we haven't really touched on is how he died, and what that meant for Rome. Luna: I've always wondered about that. He's so famous for being the philosopher emperor—did he face death with stoic calm? Lucas: He did, according to the sources. But first, let's set the scene. By March of 180 AD, Marcus had been emperor for nearly nineteen years, and he was only fifty-eight years old. He was leading the Marcomannic Wars on the Danube frontier, based out of the legionary fortress at Vindobona — modern Vienna. Luna: He was still campaigning at that age? Lucas: Yes, even though his health had been failing for years. He likely suffered from some chronic stomach ailment — maybe an ulcer, maybe something worse. The Antonine Plague was still around, too, though we can't be sure that's what killed him. Cassius Dio says he fell ill at Sirmium, but other accounts place his death at Vindobona. He died on March 17, 180 AD. Luna: And what about his final words? I've heard something about a rising sun. Lucas: Yes, there's a famous story — likely from the Historia Augusta — that on his deathbed, when his son Commodus came to him, Marcus said: 'Go to the rising sun, for I am already setting.' It's a poignant line, though it's probably a later invention to contrast the wise father with the unworthy son. But it captures something real: Marcus was ready to die. Luna: That fits with his philosophy. The Meditations are full of reflections on accepting death. Lucas: Exactly. In Book 2 of the Meditations, he writes: 'Do not act as if you were going to live ten thousand years. Death hangs over you. While you live, while it is in your power, be good.' That's not just a platitude — it's the core of his Stoicism. He believed that the only thing in our control is our own mind, and death is a natural part of life. Luna: So he died in a state of eudaimonia, as the Stoics would say? Lucas: Yes, flourishing through virtue, even at the end. But there's a practical question too: what about the succession? He had already made Commodus co-emperor a few years earlier, in 177 AD, to ensure a smooth transition. But many around him, and later historians, questioned that decision. Luna: Why did he choose Commodus, given all the rumors about his son's character? Lucas: That's a complicated question. Marcus had several other children, but most died young. Commodus was the only surviving son. Also, the adoptive system of the 'Five Good Emperors' had produced excellent rulers, but Marcus broke with tradition by making his biological son heir. Some say he was pressured by loyalty to his family, or even by his wife Faustina. Others think he simply believed he could mold Commodus into a good ruler. It didn't work out that way. Luna: So the death of Marcus really closed an era. The Pax Romana started to crack soon after. Lucas: It did. But before we go deeper, I want to mention something. The kind of deep, thoughtful history we discuss here — the kind that takes time to research and present in a conversational way — it's all listener-supported. We don't run ads, and that's because of people who contribute to keep this ad-free. If you've been getting something from these conversations, you can support the show at buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Even a small gesture helps us keep exploring these stories. And now, back to Marcus's legacy. Luna: Absolutely. I think that's a perfect moment to reflect on how Marcus himself would have appreciated that kind of community support. Lucas: Well said. So after Marcus's death, his body was brought back to Rome and cremated. The ashes were placed in the Mausoleum of Hadrian, though that's not certain — later history is murky. But what's clear is that his reputation quickly became legendary. Within a generation, he was seen as the ideal emperor: wise, just, and self-disciplined. Luna: Did Commodus try to erase his father's legacy? Lucas: Actually, no. Commodus continued to honor Marcus, deifying him immediately. But his own behavior — the gladiator games, the renaming of Rome as Colonia Commodiana — that overshadowed everything. By the time Cassius Dio wrote his history, about a century later, Marcus was already a symbol of a golden age that had passed. Luna: I can see why. He's been an inspiration for centuries, from the Renaissance to modern Stoicism. Lucas: Exactly. His Meditations, which were never meant for publication, survived because someone recognized their value. They've been read by everyone from Frederick the Great to Bill Clinton. And that's a fitting legacy — not just an emperor, but a human being who wrestled with the same questions we all face. Luna: It's almost like his death was the final lesson he taught. Lucas: Yes. Marcus wrote in the Meditations: 'Pass through this brief patch of time in harmony with nature, and come to your end with grace, just as an olive falls when it is ripe, blessing the earth that bore it and grateful to the branch that gave it life.' He may not have achieved everything he wanted, but he certainly died in that spirit. Luna: Thanks for bringing that side of him to light. Lucas: My pleasure. It's a reminder that even in ancient Rome, people struggled with mortality, purpose, and legacy. And sometimes, they left behind words that still speak to us today.