Famous Men of Rome · Ch. XXVII, part 1 · Unit 6: The later Empire and its fall
39. Marcus Aurelius, part 1: The philosopher emperor
Goal: Your child can tell about Hadrian's Wall and the catacombs, and describe Marcus Aurelius, the Stoic emperor who shared his throne.
You'll need
- The book, open to this chapter
- A map of Italy and the Mediterranean (a free online map or a globe)
- Paper and colored pencils
What's in the book
Section I of Chapter XXVII: Hadrian travels the empire and builds a wall across Britain; Antoninus Pius protects the Christians, who had met in the catacombs. Marcus Aurelius becomes emperor in 161 A.D. and shares the throne with Verus. A Stoic since the age of twelve, he lives simply, helps the poor and walks the streets in plain clothes.
The lesson, step by step
Set the scene
Find the north of Britain on the map, near Scotland. Say: The emperor Hadrian built a wall from sea to sea there. Some of it still stands.
Read the chapter
Read section I of Chapter XXVII, stopping at section II. It begins:
The next emperor was Trajan's cousin Hadrian.
Tell it back
Prompts:
- Why did Hadrian build his wall?
- What were the catacombs, and why did Christians meet there?
- What surprising thing did Marcus Aurelius do when he became emperor?
- How did he live?
The Stoics
Read:
This man taught that the people should act according to reason and virtue, and should keep an even temper and a brave heart under all circumstances.
SayThe word stoic comes from stoa, a porch, because Zeno taught in a porch in Athens. Today we call someone stoic when they stay calm and brave in hard times.
Talk it over
Read what Aurelius said about Verus:
I think my adopted brother has a right to be emperor with me.
Ask: After Nero, why would this surprise the Romans?
Remember it
SayMarcus Aurelius began to reign in 161 A.D. His own book of thoughts, usually called the Meditations, is still read today.
Answers to the book's problems
Hadrian built the wall to keep the fierce northern tribes from raiding the Roman settlements. The catacombs were underground burial passages; Christians met there because they were not allowed churches and were often killed. Aurelius gave half his power to Verus. He lived simply, kept few servants, gave no costly dinners, spent his salary on the poor and schools, and let anyone talk to him. After emperors who killed rivals to keep power, sharing it was astonishing.
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.