Latest / Marcus Aurelius: Rome's Philosopher King — Fexingo History / Marcus Aurelius and the Stoic Emperor's Philosopher Friend
Transcript
- Lucas: So, we've talked a lot about Marcus's Stoic teachers and his philosophical writings, but there's one figure who was arguably his closest friend and biggest influence outside of the Stoic circle — the wealthy Greek orator and millionaire Herodes Atticus. Luna: Herodes Atticus — I've heard that name. He was like the Bill Gates of ancient Athens, right? Lucas: Yeah, something like that. He inherited one of the largest fortunes in the Roman world, and he used it to fund massive building projects — the Odeon of Herodes Atticus at the foot of the Acropolis, the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens, a nymphaeum at Olympia, and more. But he wasn't just a benefactor; he was also one of the most famous orators of the Second Sophistic, the movement that revived Greek rhetoric in the second century AD. Lucas: And he had a direct connection to Marcus. When Marcus was a young man, his adoptive father, the emperor Antoninus Pius, appointed Herodes as one of Marcus's tutors in Greek rhetoric. So from around age 17, Marcus spent years studying under this flamboyant, mega-rich sophist who loved grand gestures and dramatic performances. Luna: That's quite a contrast with the Stoic teachers like Junius Rusticus who taught him philosophy. How did that go? Lucas: Well, Marcus clearly admired Herodes deeply. In his Meditations, he thanks the gods that he 'met Herodes Atticus and learned from him not to be ashamed of the help of friends.' That's a revealing line — Herodes was someone who could teach Marcus about generosity, patronage, and the value of personal connections. But there's also evidence of tension. Herodes was known for his enormous ego and his bitter feuds with other intellectuals, especially the philosopher Fronto, who was another of Marcus's tutors. Lucas: Fronto and Herodes hated each other. They wrote letters to Marcus attacking each other, and Marcus had to navigate these rivalries carefully. In fact, some of the letters between Fronto and Marcus survive, and you can see Fronto trying to undermine Herodes's influence. Luna: What was the feud about? Was it philosophical, or just personal? Lucas: Both. Fronto was a Latin orator from North Africa, proud of his Roman identity, while Herodes was a Greek aristocrat who thought Greek culture was superior. They clashed over rhetoric, style, and their relationship with Marcus. At one point, Herodes was involved in a scandal — he was accused of corruption in his role as a magistrate in Asia, and Fronto may have been behind the accusations. Marcus actually wrote to Herodes to console him, which shows how close they remained. Luna: So Marcus was stuck between his two mentors. That must have been awkward. Lucas: Right. And we see Marcus's diplomatic skill. He never publicly took sides. He continued to correspond with both, and when Herodes died, Marcus mourned him deeply. In fact, Marcus made a point of visiting Herodes's family and honoring his memory. He even appointed Herodes's son as a consul later on. Lucas: One of the most famous stories about Herodes is his reaction to his wife's death. Regilla, his wife, died under mysterious circumstances — some said he struck her in anger. Herodes built an enormous monument for her, the so-called 'Tomb of Regilla' at Marathon, and he also built the Odeon in Athens in her memory. But the scandal haunted him. Luna: Wait, did Marcus ever address that scandal? Lucas: Not directly in his writings, but as emperor, Marcus would have been aware. The case went to court, and Herodes was defended by another famous orator. Marcus probably had to balance his personal loyalty with the demands of justice. It's a testament to their friendship that Herodes remained in favor. Lucas: You know, reflecting on this, it's striking how Marcus valued people from very different backgrounds. He had Stoic philosophers, Latin orators, Greek millionaires — all as friends and teachers. That openness is something we could all learn from. Luna: It's like he saw the good in everyone, even when they had flaws. Lucas: Exactly. And if today's conversation helped you see Marcus in a new light, that's exactly what we hope for with each episode. By the way, if you find these deep dives useful, the best way to keep the show ad-free is through listener support. You can find us at buymeacoffee.com/fexingo. It's a small way to help us keep doing the research and bringing you these stories. Luna: Yeah, it really makes a difference. Thank you to everyone who contributes. Lucas: Alright, back to Herodes. He was also a friend of the emperor Hadrian, who appointed him to a high position. Herodes was in his 30s when he served as an urban prefect in Rome, and later he was a consul alongside Marcus in 143 AD. So he was part of the inner circle of power for decades. Luna: What about his legacy? Did his building projects last? Lucas: Absolutely. The Odeon of Herodes Atticus is still used today for performances. It's one of the most iconic sites in Athens. The Panathenaic Stadium, which he rebuilt in marble, was restored in the 19th century and hosted the first modern Olympics in 1896. So his mark on the physical landscape is permanent. Lucas: But there's also a philosophical legacy. Herodes was a sophist, not a Stoic. He believed in the power of rhetoric to move people, to persuade, to create beauty. Marcus, the Stoic emperor, valued that too, even as he focused on inner virtue. In a way, Herodes reminded Marcus that the external world — the world of art, speech, and civic life — also matters. It's a balance that Marcus tried to maintain throughout his reign. Luna: So Herodes was the yin to the Stoic yang. Lucas: That's a good way to put it. And in his Meditations, Marcus doesn't name many people, but he does name Herodes with gratitude. That tells us how important this friendship was to him. Lucas: One last thing: Herodes's family claimed descent from the mythical hero Theseus and the Persian king Darius. That's how grand his self-image was. And Marcus, despite his humility, seems to have genuinely enjoyed Herodes's company — the stories, the wit, the extravagance. It humanizes Marcus to know he had a friend like that. Luna: It does. He wasn't just a philosopher on a throne; he had real relationships. Lucas: Exactly. And that's something to remember next time you read the Meditations. The man who wrote 'The impediment to action advances action' was also a guy who laughed with his wealthy Greek friend and attended his plays.