Aurelius, Marcus: - Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD). He was a Roman emperor who ruled from 161 AD to 180 AD and is known for his Stoic philosophy and his book Meditations which is a collection of his personal reflections on life and his philosophy. He was educated in philosophy, rhetoric, and literature by some of the best teachers of his time including the famous Fronto. The writings of Epictetus, a famous Stoic philosopher greatly influenced him. His main ideology of life was to live a virtuous life and he emphasized the importance of reason, self-discipline, and moral responsibility.