Other Sellers on Amazon
+ $3.00 Delivery
90% positive over last 12 months
& FREE Delivery
88% positive over last 12 months
+ $3.00 Delivery
83% positive over last 12 months

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.


Meditations Paperback – 24 May 2006
Marcus Aurelius (Author) Find all the books, read about the author, and more. See search results for this author |
Enhance your purchase
Written in Greek by an intellectual Roman emperor without any intention of publication, the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180) offer a wide range of fascinating spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the leader struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Spanning from doubt and despair to conviction and exaltation, they cover such diverse topics as the question of virtue, human rationality, the nature of the gods and Aurelius's own emotions. But while the Meditations were composed to provide personal consolation, in developing his beliefs Marcus also created one of the greatest of all works of philosophy- a series of wise and practical aphorisms that have been consulted and admired by statesmen, thinkers and ordinary readers for almost two thousand years.
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherPenguin
- Publication date24 May 2006
- Dimensions12.78 x 1.75 x 19.61 cm
- ISBN-100140449337
- ISBN-13978-0140449334
- Lexile measure1040L
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Product description
Review
Marcus is well served by this new translation. Hammond has a pithy turn of phrase to match the emperor's own . . . His notes abound in helpful explanation and illuminating cross-reference. Diskin Clay contributes a sparkling and sympathetic introduction. The combination of introduction, translation and notes is as good as they get -- John Taylor ― Journal of Classics Teaching
From the Back Cover
In Gregory Hays's new translation--the first in a generation--Marcus's thoughts speak with a new immediacy: never before have they been so directly and powerfully presented.
"From the Trade Paperback edition.
About the Author
Diskin Clay is Professor of Classical Studies at Duke University and has published widely in the area of Ancient Greek Philosophy.
Martin Hammond is Head Master of Tonbridge School and has translated Homer's Iliad for Penguin Classics.
Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.
Product details
- Publisher : Penguin; 1st edition (24 May 2006)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0140449337
- ISBN-13 : 978-0140449334
- Dimensions : 12.78 x 1.75 x 19.61 cm
- Best Sellers Rank: 179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was born to an upper-class Roman family in A.D. 121 and was later adopted by the future emperor Antoninus Pius, whom he succeeded in 161. His reign was marked by a successful campaign against Parthia, but was overshadowed in later years by plague, an abortive revolt in the eastern provinces, and the deaths of friends and family, including his co-emperor Lucius Verus. A student of philosophy from his earliest youth, he was especially influenced by the first-century Stoic thinker Epictetus. His later reputation rests on his Meditations, written during his later years and never meant for formal publication. He died in 180, while campaigning against the barbarian tribes on Rome’s northern frontier.
Customer reviews
Top reviews from Australia
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Top reviews from other countries

This Penguin Classics translation by Martin Hammond is very good.

As far as being "able to change your mindset" is concerned, I believe that the ideas written here can influence the outlook on many aspects of one's life, especially if they are already thinking along similar lines.
If you are interested in learning about Stoicism, this is a great place to start.

Often times its our judgements about things that cause us pain and distress. Remove the judgement and you are no longer harmed. Remove the thought "I am hurt" and the hurt itself is removed. Very difficult to implement but once you start you will see how much life is about adjusting how your 'directing mind' views things.
This book touches greatly on being of good virtue which comes down to your character and mindset. These are one of, if not the most immeasurable traits you have and you must refine them constantly in your pursuit of arete.
I could go on and on about this book but I only have so much characters for this short review.
Very insightful read and worth it. So many life lessons, wisdom, practical guidance and knowledge to be used in everyday life. You won't be disappointed with this timeless classic.

