What is Marcus Aurelius?
{{Infobox Roman emperor | name = Marcus Aurelius | title =[[Roman Emperor|Emperor]] of the [[Roman Empire]] | full name = Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus | image = Marcus Aurelius Glyptothek Munich.jpg | caption = Bust of Marcus Aurelius | reign = 8 March 161–169 <br />(with [[Lucius Verus]]); <br />169–177 (alone);<br />177–March 180<br />(with [[Commodus]])<br>({{age in years and days|161|3|8|180|3|17}}) | predecessor = [[Antoninus Pius]] | successor = [[Commodus]] (alone) | spouse = [[Faustina the Younger]] | issue = 13, incl. [[Commodus]], Lucilla, Fadilla, Faustina Minor and Sabina. | dynasty = [[Nerva-Antonine dynasty|Antonine]] | father = Marcus Annius Verus | mother = Domitia Lucilla | birth_date = {{birth date|121|4|26|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Rome]] | death_date = {{death date and age|180|3|17|121|4|26|df=y}} | death_place = [[Vienna|Vindobona]] or [[Sirmium]] | burial_place = [[Hadrian's Mausoleum]] }} '''Marcus Aurelius Antoninus''' (26 April 121&nbsp;–&nbsp;17 March 180) was [[Roman Emperor]] from 161 to 180. He ruled with [[Lucius Verus]] as co-Emperor from 161 until Verus' death in 169.<ref name=MA>Birley, Anthony R. 1987 [1966]. ''Marcus Aurelius: a biography''. Routledge, London. {{ISBN|0-415-17125-3}}</ref> He was the last of the [[Five Good Emperors]], and is considered one of the most important [[stoicism|Stoic]] philosophers. Marcus Aurelius' work ''Meditations'', written in [[Greek language|Greek]] while on campaign between 170 and 180, is still revered. It serves as an example of how Aurelius approached the [[Platonism|Platonic]] ideal of a philosopher–king, and how he symbolized much of what was best about Roman [[civilization]].<ref>''Western Civilization: sources, images and interpretations.'' Dennis Sherman, vol 1, 5th ed, p104</ref> == Continuous warfare == At the start of his reign, the Empire, under the joint rule of Marcus and [[Lucius Ve