Finally An Honest Video On Marcus Aurelius

preview_player
Показать описание
Marcus Aurelius — the man, the myth, the stoic. It's funny that the one emperor that couldn't have cared lass about fame and being remembered, is the one emperor that most people still know about today. In fact, a lot of people don't necessarily associate Marcus Aurelius with Rome or with being the emperor — they know him as a philosopher, and some see him as the ultimate symbol of stoicism, all thanks to his book Meditations... a book he never intended to publish, and is merely his personal diary. So... is there more to Marcus Aurelius? Was he really that stoic? How can one rule over an empire that oppresses foreign nations while claiming to be a stoic man of all people? How can one be so wise and yet appoint his famously viciously son as the heir to the throne, as the doom of Rome? Well... time for another episode:

Episode 5 of Rome's Greatest Emperors: Marcus Aurelius — The Philosophy King

Notes:
If you read my notes you might remember that when it came to emperors like Augustus, Nero, and Caligula, a lot of what I told you about were assumptions, simply due to the fact that... assumptions and gossip was all we had to go on. With Marcus Aurelius this changes since... a lot of what we know about him was documented by the man himself. His diary, Meditations (Notes to One's Self) is contemporary bestseller and firmly established Markus Aurelius as the ultimate stoic — a man that never did any wrong, and only lived in service of the people and a good world. Well... the truth is... Marcus Aurelius wasn't quite the angel stoics paint him as, but I think the video shows that clearly and I actually don't really have any additional notes to add this time around. There are not many question marks when it comes to the story of Marcus Aurelius, it's pretty comprehensively documented and who he was and what he did is unanimously agreed upon.

The only thing I'd like to expand on was him appointing Commodus as his successor:
While me, and many others, are baffled by how this great man could make such a terrible decision, the truth is...: He might not have had a choice, simply because... he had a perfectly legitimate heir as a son, something the previous four good emperors didn't have. So, while they were able to appoint the perfect philosophical successor, Aurelius probably would have had to kill Commodus if he wanted to ensure his son doesn't inherit the throne. Just... food for thought.

Oh, and I call them 'The Five Great Emperors' in my video — usually they're called The Five Good Emperors. I just got mixed up because I call this series 'Rome's Greatest Emperors'.

Get All My Artwork & Support The Channel:
I get a lot of questions about my artwork and where it’s from or rather who draws it. Well the answer is that I create it — I don’t draw it. I use AI to create the artwork, using specific prompts, specific style influences from 18th and 19th century artists, and I spend about 10 hours per video just on the artwork. Each video has roughly double the artwork of what you actually see in the video, so a lot of it is unused. The good news here though is that you can get all that artwork on my Patreon — the artwork I do use, and the artwork I don’t use. Plus, by subscribing to my Patreon you are making a major contribution to Briefed and helping me to keep this channel going, because this is my full time job and the survival of the channel and quality of the videos greatly depends on said support. In return for supporting, you get more than the artwork though — you also get exclusive videos and producer credit, as well as access to a producer group that gets to vote on thumbnails, gets behind the scenes etc.
If you choose to become a Patron — thank you. I do not take it for granted.

Footage:
As always, some Game of Thrones clips in there, specifically Cersei and Ned Stark. The footage in the beginning is from Ridley Scott's Gladiator and then HBO's Rome.

- Asher Fulero - Nocturne
- Asher Fulero - Surrender
- Bach - C Major Prelude
- Cooper Cannell - Bach Cello Suite No. 1, G Major, Prelude
- Esther Abrami - No.4 Piano Journey
- Wahneta Meixsell - Gymnopedie No. 3
Комментарии
Автор

As a historian myself, I have to say this. you are becoming one of the best storytellers of the modern era! Keep it up

harwn
Автор

I think Marcus Aurelius being a "hypocrite" is perhaps his most important lesson. At times he can seem like this perfect figure, who stands above all the negative qualities of man. The fact that he is flawed like the rest of us is important.

rayquaza
Автор

One of the biggest fails of Millennials and Gen Z is the compulsive habit of judging history by today's rules, standards and norms. Marcus Aurelias lived in a time of empires and conquest, and he didn't rise to his position by treachery and deceit. While other Emperors abused their position of power, committed mass murder, sexually exploited both males and females, Marcus Aurelias wanted to be better, and do better for himself and for Rome. He was an Emperor, and in the Ancient world conquest and expansion were normal for the times.

Meditations is a testament to the world that although he was a man of immense power and influence, he cared about his conduct and his thoughts. He pondered and reflected on his strengths and weaknesses and tried to better himself every day. Rome assimilated other cultures into their society, they did not try to destroy identities. What would have happened if Marcus Aurelias had pulled his forces back, handed territories back over to the largely nomadic tribes that occupied the Empire? Those tribes and cultures would, as the Goths, Visigoths, Huns, and others demonstrated, rise and attack Rome, and its empire.

We cannot judge or in any way condemn people of the past based on what we consider evil and morally wrong today. Even the Greeks, the inspiration for what we call Democracy weren't all Stoicism and peace. How do you think history will judge us 1000 or 2000 years from now, provided humanity survives that long without killing ourselves?

Emperor Marcus Aurelias wasn't perfect. If he was, he wouldn't need to write his imperfections down for posterity. He was a man, a deep thinker, and a person who recognized the need for self-discipline, self-control, and a quiet mind.

Scorehound
Автор

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. "As an Antonine, my home is Rome; as a human being, my home is the Cosmos." This mindset of his is light-years ahead of any politician's of today!

itsmeme
Автор

"IRIZZ WARI RIZZ."
- Marcus Aurelius💪🗿📚

vitorhugopereiradasilva
Автор

This channel is honestly one of my favorites and I’ve only been watching for like 2 weeks I really hope you can make a career out of this because you’re videos make everything so interesting it’s great to see you making other people interested in history and mythology

benjiboi
Автор

You know, Aurelius is the only Roman emperor i’d bend the knee to as a non-Roman. It is what it is

PartyNearTheDoorKBR
Автор

This channel is so young yet so fuckin good, the production quality is top notch and the way he conveys information in an interesting and funny format is great too

mactheman
Автор

"It is what it is" That statement is a grand misinterpretation of what stoicism is. Stoicism is the philosophy of action - prudent action. It's not some lackadaisical view of life. Acknowledging your true feelings and taking the appropriate action is a lifelong quest the good of all. Stoic is also a HUGE misinterpreted term - a modern term meaning to show no emotion. This is in stark contrast to a true Stoic, whose feelings are apparent but his or her actions still apply reason. Justice, Wisdom, Courage, Temperance are stoicism's true pillars. Thanks for the video.

jamesforreal
Автор

Not only do you have a good voice, but you have a clear passion for history and a great sense of humor. Underrated channel.

helimancer
Автор

The picture of the skull in the sky during the epidemic section was straight 🔥

mightyravino
Автор

I didn’t realize that you make all of the art until I went on your patreon. That’s some amazing work man keep it up sir you are doing wonderful things!!

abdullahrehan
Автор

I’m not disappointed by the lack of drama with Marcus.. it’s comforting to know that some dictators that might have a good heart.. even if it is what it is

GeoGonzalez-xgdf
Автор

My man REALLY struggled with this one trying to make Marcus Aurelius seem even slightly controversial

realestalex
Автор

Seriously now I’ve caught up to your upload schedule, you’re videos are one of the best parts of my week 👏🏾❤️ love the content 💯🌍

biggsybiggs
Автор

Chefs kiss EVERYTIME! The art, the writing, the delivery, AMAZING!!

ElisaGonsalves
Автор

I have been watching your videos for some time now, and I just wanted to say that they all are absolutely spectacular. Art, music, choice of topics, and most of all the storytelling. I really hope that your channel will blow up.

MrNobody-sbhy
Автор

Thank you for all you do. I literally look forward to your uploads every week. You are such a good story teller

ramonmurray_
Автор

Marcus being a hypocrite was truly him coming full circle as a human. We're all morally hypocrities. Its impossible to hold up to the standards we set for others

kidsyx
Автор

My first time coming across your work and falling in love with it! Looking forward to working through your precious uploads and following along in the future 🙂

kbkdtld