Marcus Aurelius was born Marcus Annius Catilius Severus in Rome on 26 April 121 AD (KIENAST 2011, 137). Due to distant family connections, he came into contact with Emperor Hadrian’s circle, especially since his grandfather Marcus Annius Verus, who was originally from Spain, was already a well-known politician in the senatorial aristocracy, having served as consul several times, and was held in high esteem by Hadrian. His extensive maternal family connections provided him with a rich inheritance due to their ownership of brickworks (FÜNDLING 2008, 15). Since the reign of Trajan, the senatorial aristocracy had been using its proximity to the imperial family to network through intermarriage and make itself available to the imperial administration. The childlessness of Trajan and Hadrian also led to opportunities to be involved in the emperors‘ succession plans. This network of relationships formed the basis for Hadrian’s attention to the serious and straightforward boy. At the age of 14, he took the toga virilis and was betrothed to Ceionia Fabia, whose father, L. Ceionius Commodus, played an important role in Hadrian’s dynastic planning. His adoption and elevation to successor, combined with the title “Caesar”, led to a name change to Lucius Aelius Caesar. Ceionia’s fiancé also took his father’s name and was called Marcus Annius Verus until his adoption.

Hadrian’s initial plans for succession failed due to unforeseen deaths, so that despite his youth he was chosen as successor. The inexperience of the 16-year-old prompted Hadrian, who was now seriously ill, to adopt Antoninus Pius, an experienced politician, who in turn adopted the young man. But the son of Lucius Ceionius Commodus, who had initially been chosen as successor but died prematurely, was also adopted as a son by Antoninus Pius, who had no sons of his own. The two “Caesares” now formed the basis for the old emperor’s dynastic policy. After his death on 10 July 138 AD, both princes received an outstanding education from the most respected teachers of their time. In contrast to his stepbrother, Marcus Aelius Aurelius Verus, now known by his new name, was particularly inclined towards Stoic philosophy. His admission to prestigious priestly offices and appointment to important political offices led to a meteoric career for Marcus Aurelius, who was popular with the people. It is noteworthy that Antoninus Pius did not provide them with any military training.

After the death of Antoninus Pius, the two men were able to succeed him without any problems on 7 March 161 AD. His co-emperor Lucius Verus died suddenly after just under eight years. Marcus Aurelius continued to rule alone. The otherwise peaceful emperor had to face the attacks of the Marcomanni on the Danube, but at the same time wrote the famous ‘Meditations,’ a work consisting mainly of reflections and guiding principles that can be attributed to Stoic philosophy. Never completely lost, they were rediscovered and translated during the Renaissance. Several modern politicians, such as Frederick II of Prussia and Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, studied Marcus Aurelius‘ work and were guided by its philosophical principles.