Latest / Marcus Aurelius: Rome's Philosopher King — Fexingo History
Marcus Aurelius and the Banished Stoic
While Marcus Aurelius is remembered as Rome's philosopher-emperor, his reign was marked by the exile of one of his most trusted advisors, Sextus Rufus. This episode explores the political fallout of the Marcomannic Wars and how Marcus balanced Stoic ideals with harsh imperial necessity. We look at the specific charges against Rufus, the role of the Praetorian Guard under Tigidius Perennis, and the quiet tragedy of a man who served two emperors only to be discarded when peace finally seemed within reach. Through the letters of Fronto and the accounts of Cassius Dio, we reconstruct the…
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