Marcus Aurelius lived from AD 26 April 121 until 17 March 180 and was Roman Emperor from AD 161 to 180. This book is an accompaniment to the podcast "The Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius" which you can find on iTunes or at www.themapodcast.wordpress.com. The podcast contains links to audio recordings of the Golden Book, contemporary maps and many other interesting links and facts about Marcus. Marcus was the last of the so called "five good emperors." He came from a wealthy family, who had grown rich from their family brick-works during the time of the Emperor Hadrian (of wall-building fame). Hadrian was aware of, and fond of Marcus as a boy, and interceded in his educational arrangements, sponsoring him - and putting him on what could be regarded as an inevitable path to public office. As part of his education Marcus was trained by several of the brightest minds of his time, but he was particularly struck by the teachings of the stoic philosophers and aspects of the philosophy related to duty.