Marcus Aurelius was the last of the “Five Good Emperors” of Rome. He was known as a harsh but fair Emperor who presided over a somewhat peaceful and stable era of the Empire. Today he is remembered for writing for himself the Meditations, a work of Stoic philosophy which focuses on rationality, one’s duty, and remaining undisturbed by what is outside one’s power. The four previous Emperors had died childless; each had adopted as successor a capable man who had proven himself in public life. Marcus Aurelius however had a son, Commodus, who was the presumptive heir and, despite extensive tutoring and training, was clearly predisposed to brutality and despotism. He would likely cause problems if someone else were appointed successor.