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Secondary sourceBookprobably 4th century AD

Marcus Antoninus (Historia Augusta)

Scriptores Historiae Augustae · probably 4th century AD

The fullest ancient biography of Marcus Aurelius, covering his family, childhood, reign, and death.

This biography is entirely devoted to recounting Marcus Aurelius's life, family, and reign.

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About this source

What it is

This is a biography of Marcus Aurelius included in the Historia Augusta, a collection of Roman imperial biographies attributed to several writers known as the Scriptores Historiae Augustae. Written in Latin, it covers his ancestry, upbringing, and reign.

Why it matters

It is the most complete ancient account of Marcus's life, including details about his family and education not found elsewhere. However, historians treat the Historia Augusta's reliability unevenly, since parts of it are known to mix fact with invention. It shows how later Romans wanted to remember the 'philosopher emperor'.

Look closer

  • Why might a biography written after someone's death mix reliable facts with invented details?
  • What does this text suggest was valued in describing a 'good emperor'?
  • What questions would you ask about where this author got his information?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Marcus Aurelius on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Equestrian Statue of Marcus Aurelius

c. 173 AD

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completed c. 193 AD

Marble relief panel showing a Roman sacrifice scene: a bearded figure in a toga extends a hand over a small altar or tripod while attendants and a bull stand nearby. Columned temple facade with a pediment and a frieze above a bull-driven procession are in the background, with several onlookers at left and right.Sculpture

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Panel Relief of Marcus Aurelius Sacrificing

Manuscript page in brown ink with red rubrics, showing dense Latin text in a medieval hand. Red headings read 'Vita Antonini Pii explicit' and 'Incipit Marci Antonini Philosophi'. A large decorated initial M begins the next life. Marginal notes appear at the top and right.Book

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Historia Augusta (Augustan History)

Scriptores Historiae Augustae

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