The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: A Study by R B Rutherford

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: A Study by R B Rutherford

Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor from AD 161 to 180, is renowned for his just rule at home and for his long frontier wars. But his lasting claim to fame rests on the work known as the Meditations - a bedside book of reflections and self-admonitions composed in Greek (the language of philosophy) during his last years and partly while on campaign. These sparse notes, intended for the author's eyes alone, give unique access to the mind of an ancient ruler; they also contain many passages of pungent epigram and poetic imagery. In this study, Dr Rutherford seeks to make the Meditations more approachable to the modern reader by explaining the historical and philosophical background, charting the main themes and tendencies of Marcus' thought, and relating stylistic detail to the intellectual and moral outlook of the author.

`brings the philosopher-emperor persuasively back into the reckoning as a complex but accessible thinker of genuine distinction' Peter Jones, The Times
`only the eye of love could have discerned all that is here so ingeniously and persuasively conveyed to the readerFor these volumes, R. deserves gratitude from all of us and, from the Emperor, a chapter to himself in Book I of the "Meditations".' Classical Review
`[Rutherford's] reading of both the ancient and the modern literature is exceptionally wide-ranging; he has provided a compendious source of reference for any student of the Meditations' Times Literary Supplement
'outstanding for careful analysis, elegance and the astonishing range and depth of learning with which he finds precedents or analogies for the substance and style of Marcus' reflections' P.A. Brunt, Brasenose College, Oxford, Journal of Roman Studies, LXXX, 90
'This fine and highly learned study will without doubt and deservedly be the standard-work on the subject for many years to come ... R., in his striving for revealing the richness of Marcus' Meditations, has produced an extremely varied and rich monograph himself, which will render good service to a broad range of classical studies.' Paul M.M. Leunissen, Mnemosyne, Vol. XLV, Fasc. 1 (1992)

In 1982, R.B.Rutherford was appointed Tutor at Christ Church, Oxford, where he has taught Greek and Latin literature in tutorials and lectures ever since. His published works include Greek and Latin literature and verse, epic, history, and philosophic prose in both Greek and Latin. Rutherford is the author of a Cambridge commentary on Books 19 and 20 of the Odyssey (1992), a digestible monograph on Homer (1996), and a survey of all of classical literature in fewer than 400 pages (2005), among other publications. Greek tragedy was the subject of one of his first pieces, and it has remained a source of fascination for him ever since.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780198147558
ISBN 10	0198147554
Title	The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius: A Study
Author	R B Rutherford
Series	Oxford Classical Monographs
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Paperback
Publisher	Oxford University Press
Year published	1991-05-30
Number of pages	300
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note	Unavailable