Marcus Aurelius was Roman emperor from 161 to 180. He was the last of the Five Good Emperors. He is also today considered an important Stoic philosopher.

While on campaign between 170 and 180, Marcus Aurelius wrote his Meditations in Greek as a tool for his own self-improvement. The title, Meditations, was added posthumously-originally Marcus Aurelius titled his work simply: "To Myself".