John Roos’ Blog

Marcus Aurelius was one of history’s true philosopher-kings. A man who ruled over the Roman Empire yet also was an original thinker and a student of philosophy. In fact, it might be said that he is remembered today more for his writings than his life. His Meditations remain widely read, and are filled with unique and practical insights.

But who was Marcus, the man? McLynn’s new biography provides ample insights. But, what makes this book particularly useful are the details he provides about Marcus’ life and times.

Of particularly interest to me was Aurelius attitude toward Christians. Reading his meditations, he seems so wise. Kind and gentle. Clearly with a “philosophical” attitude toward life. He was all those things, but, as McLynn makes abundantly clear, he was a man of his time. Not just devoted to the religion of his time but, in fact, a fanatic about his pagan religion.

And, like so many of his time, he felt that Christians deserved special treatment. He initiated no empire-wide pogroms, but he did allow pogroms to take place. And he allowed a new level of persecution to take place against Christians.

McLynn does not just tell us about these perspecutions, but also the background. Why Christians were tolerated under previous emperors and allowed to live in relative freedom. Why Marcus felt compelled to strike out against them. McLynn tells us about the key Christians of the time, and their lives and beliefs. And he tells us about the leading opponents of Christianity, and the reason for this opposition.

The reader understands more clearly why Christians were blamed for defeats in battle, for famines, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Why? Because they would not enter in to ceremonies seeking their gods. They were seen to be angering the gods. Many, including Marcus, felt that Christians had to be punished or silenced if the gods were to be satisfied.

Thus, McLynn’s biographany is a real history of the times. A revealing snapshop of Rome during the First Century A.D. Its battles. Its enemies. Its politicians. Its emperors. Its lifestyle.

While backed with solid research and filled with scholarly details, this book targets the layman. It is highly readable but not a quick read, partly because there are so many details, so many stories, so many characters, so many story lines. Some may become weary with the constant sidetrails. As mentioned above, these can be interesting, but they also can be frustrating . . . particulary if the reader is less interested in the background story or characters than the main storyline, or the main characters.

This book is highly recommended, a journey worth taking. McLynn’s shows us all the many reason for admiring Marcus Aurelius. But we also realize that he is very human. Very flawed.

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