On This Day, March 17, 180 AD, the wise and philosophical Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius passed away at age 58 after a reign of nearly 20 years. His death marked the end of the revered Pax Romana era of peace and prosperity.
Marcus Aurelius was the last of the “Five Good Emperors”, governing with Stoic principles and leaving a legacy as an exceptional ruler and writer. His seminal “Meditations” expounded Stoic philosophy. Tragically, he was succeeded by his son Commodus, just 18 years old and vastly different in temperament.
The transition from the scholarly Marcus Aurelius to the cruel and megalomaniacal Commodus set Rome on a path of instability, discord and ultimate decline after years of strong leadership. The emperor’s death represented a major turning point, ushering in a tumultuous period that witnessed the erosion of the very political institutions Aurelius had strengthened.
Thus, the death of Marcus Aurelius on this day in 180 AD represented a major turning point in Roman imperial history – the end of an era of enlightened rulers and harbinger of the crises to follow. His passing was deeply mourned throughout the empire.
