Latest / Marcus Aurelius: Rome's Philosopher King — Fexingo History
Marcus Aurelius and the Stoic Response to the Antonine Plague
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how Rome's philosopher emperor, Marcus Aurelius, confronted the Antonine Plague that devastated the empire between 165 and 180 AD. Drawing on the writings of the physician Galen, who was in Rome during the outbreak, they discuss the symptoms of smallpox, the death toll estimated at five to ten million, and the social and military chaos that followed. Lucas recounts how Marcus, guided by Stoic principles, maintained composure, enforced quarantine measures, and continued legal reforms even as the plague ravaged the population. Luna asks about the…
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