About the author
Marcus Aurelius was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and the last ruler traditionally grouped among the Five Good Emperors. He studied Stoic philosophy and governed during war, plague, and political strain.
The writings now called Meditations were private notes in Greek, not a book prepared for publication. They return to judgment, duty, mortality, social cooperation, and the effort to make one's next action consistent with reason.
Where to start
Start with Meditations in Gregory Hays's translation for direct modern English, reading the short entries slowly rather than as a continuous argument.
