Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor who ruled from 161 to 180 AD. Born in 121 AD, he was raised in a wealthy and influential family in Rome. Aurelius learned philosophy from an early age and was known for his stoic beliefs. He became emperor at the age of 40, after the death of his adoptive father, Antoninus Pius. As emperor, Aurelius is remembered for his military campaigns against Germanic tribes and his efforts to reform the Roman legal system. He also wrote a series of philosophical works known as the Meditations, which have become classic texts on stoicism. Despite his achievements, Aurelius faced many challenges during his reign, including a plague that devastated the Roman Empire and conflicts with neighboring kingdoms. He died in 180 AD while on a military campaign in present-day Austria. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest Roman emperors and a leading figure in philosophy.