One of the few men that I admire is the emperor Marcus Aurelius. His thoughts have inspired me throughout most of my adult life. ¿Did you know that he ruled during one of the worst plagues of ancient history? ¿What can we learn from him?
It all started in the east. Then it radiated out north, south, west, crossing borders and oceans. People panicked. Doctors were baffled. Travel stopped. Gatherings and events were canceled. The economy plunged. It quickly became a global pandemic: The Antonine Plague of 165 AD
At the height of the epidemic, there were fatalities of up to 2,000 people per day, according to Roman sources. In total, about 7-10% of the population of the Roman Empire was killed. In dense urban centers, fatality rates may have been as high as 15% ¿Sounds familiar?
History repears itself and we are living in similar times, facing a similar threat. ¿What can we learn from Marcus Aurelius in these times of Covid-19?
Well, he focused on what was in his power to do, and he did it. He actually listened to advice. He hired Galen, the most famous physician and polymath of antiquity. It was Galen who he empowered to lead the efforts to combat the plague, the smartest medical mind of his time.
Well, he focused on what was in his power to do, and he did it. He actually listened to advice. He hired Galen, the most famous physician and polymath of antiquity. It was Galen who he empowered to lead the efforts to combat the plague, the smartest medical mind of his time.
Well, he focused on what was in his power to do, and he did it. He actually listened to advice. He hired Galen, the most famous physician and polymath of antiquity. It was Galen who he empowered to lead the efforts to combat the plague, the smartest medical mind of his time.
Then, Marcus shifted his focus to the growing economic crisis, canceling debt, paying for funerals and organizing fundraisings to help the people of Rome. Most nobles and rich people left, but not Marcus.
Marcus stayed in Rome, at enormous personal cost. He braved the deadliest plague of Rome’s 900-year history, never showing fear and reassuring his people by his very presence.
He embodied “stoicism”. He didn’t panic. He kept himself strong for others. He insisted on what was right.
He embodied “stoicism”. He didn’t panic. He kept himself strong for others. He insisted on what was right.
He embodied “stoicism”. He didn’t panic. He kept himself strong for others. He insisted on what was right.
He embodied “stoicism”. He didn’t panic. He kept himself strong for others. He insisted on what was right.
He embodied “stoicism”. He didn’t panic. He kept himself strong for others. He insisted on what was right.
In 180 CE, having led the people through the worst of the crisis, Marcus Aurelius began to show symptoms of the disease. "Weep not for me,” began Marcus’s famous last words, “think rather of the pestilence and the deaths of so many others.”
In 180 CE, having led the people through the worst of the crisis, Marcus Aurelius began to show symptoms of the disease. "Weep not for me,” began Marcus’s famous last words, “think rather of the pestilence and the deaths of so many others.”
In 180 CE, having led the people through the worst of the crisis, Marcus Aurelius began to show symptoms of the disease. "Weep not for me,” began Marcus’s famous last words, “think rather of the pestilence and the deaths of so many others.”
Marcus Aurelius' life remains an inspiration. A testament of the European spirit.

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