AFTER THE ANTIQUE, ITALIAN, PROBABLY ROMAN, LATE 18TH OR EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Marcus Aurelius came from a wealthy and politically well-connected family and from a young age he was singled out by the emperor Hadrian for future success. When Hadrian's successor, Antoninus Pius, died in 161 AD, Marcus Aurelius became Emperor, initially along with his adopted brother Lucius Verus. A turbulent reign marked by many wars on the empire's borders, the emperor is perhaps best known for his adherence to Stoic philosophy and his influential writings, known today as the Meditations.