Marcus Aurelius and the Last Days of Rome

Marcus Aurelius: Rome's Philosopher King — Fexingo History · Oct 22, 2026 · 9m · transcript

While previous episodes explored Marcus Aurelius’ Stoic philosophy, military campaigns, and the Antonine Plague, this episode shifts focus to the chaotic final months of his life and the immediate succession crisis. We examine the period between late 180 CE and early 181 CE, tracing Marcus’s deteriorating health in Vindobona and his desperate attempts to secure the empire for his son Commodus. The narrative details the political maneuvering involving Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus and the Praetorian Guard, as well as the controversial decision to adopt Lucius Ceionius Commodus Verus as…