The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius

This study is designed to make the Meditations more accessible to the modern reader. Rutherford carefully explains the historical and philosophical background, charts the main themes and tendencies of Marcus's thought, and relates stylistic detail to the intellectual and moral outlook of the author. His goal is to define Marcus's aims, attitudes, and styles more precisely and restore his work to the position it held in the past, that of a spiritual classic which can be read and enjoyed by people who are not professional scholars.

"A lucid study...that manages to be both scholarly and accessible to nonspecialists....The emperor-philosopher's 'bedside book' of ethical reflections and self-admonition comes alive through Rutherford's balanced, sympathetic treatment....Especially noteworthy is the author's analysis of Marcus and the supernatural and his focus on two major themes in the Meditations moral self-discipline and the preparation for death....A book which all college and university libraries should possess. Highly recommended."--Choice
"Rutherford paints a very rich, finely detailed picture of the literary background to the Meditations...Many new insights about Marcus' own contributions."--Ancient Philosophy