Q 01/05

Marcus Aurelius was Roman emperor between which years?

A) 117 to 138

B) 161 to 180

C) 138 to 161

D) 180 to 192

Answer · why

B) 161 to 180

He was the last of the Five Good Emperors, and many historians end the Pax Romana with his death.

Q 02/05

Marcus Aurelius is remembered as a practitioner of which school of philosophy?

A) Epicureanism

B) Stoicism

C) Cynicism

D) Neoplatonism

Answer · why

B) Stoicism

His teacher Quintus Junius Rusticus, grandson of a martyr to Domitian's tyranny, was the strongest influence on him.

Q 03/05

What does the original title of Marcus Aurelius's Meditations, Ta eis heauton, literally mean?

A) On the nature of duty

B) Things to himself

C) Against the tide

D) The inner citadel

Answer · why

B) Things to himself

The familiar name was attached centuries later; the emperor never intended the notes for publication.

Q 04/05

In which language did Marcus Aurelius write his Meditations?

A) Latin

B) Greek

C) Aramaic

D) Etruscan

Answer · why

B) Greek

He wrote the twelve books in Koine Greek while on campaign, and internal notes place the first book 'in the country of the Quadi'.

Q 05/05

How many books make up the Meditations?

A) 6

B) 12

C) 10

D) 24

Answer · why

B) 12

The first known mention of a division into twelve books is in the Byzantine Suda.