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Marcus Aurelius and the Stoic's Secretaries: The ab epistulis
This episode explores the crucial role of the 'ab epistulis'—the imperial secretaries who managed Marcus Aurelius's vast correspondence. While the emperor is often depicted as a solitary philosopher, he relied on a network of literate, loyal officials to govern an empire. We focus on two key figures: the equestrian Tarrutenius Paternus, who rose to become praetorian prefect and authored a military manual, and the freedman Chariton, a Greek scholar who helped draft Greek letters. The discussion reveals how Stoic principles of duty and delegation shaped imperial administration…
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