- cross-posted to:
- politicalcompassmemes
- cross-posted to:
- politicalcompassmemes
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As a side note, Antoninus Pius was deeply ‘traditionalist/conservative’ in a Roman sense - meaning he preserved out-of-fashion republican norms from the days of the Roman Republic, did not push new cults, gods, or rites (unlike some prior Emperors), and relied on the Senate as a partner in rulership rather than cultivating an extensive imperial court.
Well, I’m sold.
How overrated is Marcus Aurelius, in your estimation? Appointing his idiot son Commodus as successor is an obvious strike.
Marcus Aurelius was a great philosopher and a great Emperor. Not the fantastic, savior-of-the-Empire-if-he-lived sort as he’s sometimes portrayed, but a great Emperor nonetheless. He was obsessively dutiful to affairs of state, well-read and deeply interested in legal matters, and at no point engaged in the expensive vanities of some other Emperors. His idiot son is the biggest strike against him, though in Aurelius’s defense, Commodus didn’t really decline until a few years in sole power got to his head.
Commodus was the guy that really just wanted to be a gladiator, right?
Well, JUST wanted to be a gladiator is selling our bombastic madman a bit short, since he considered himself the reincarnation of Hercules and tried to rename Rome and all its institutions (and ALL the months of the year) after himself, but yes, he was the one who was well-known for fighting in the arena (in rigged matches, of course) and surrounding himself with gladiators, athletes, and charioteers.
If he actually fought lions solo, I’ll give that to him. They don’t particularly respect rank. That’s not really a relevant skill for an Emperor, though, either in the ideal or in the practical mob boss sense.
I actually had no clue about thus guy. He seems to have done a lot for the Empire, and for once didn’t massacre everyone around the borders. Thanks for highlighting him out :)
Always! 20+ years of peace and prosperity by a man of great humility may not excite the ancient gossipers, but the ‘mildness of Antoninus’ was fondly remembered by those who lived under his rule.
Also, he hit the holy trinity of fiscal responsibility. Reduced taxes, increased spending, and still reduced the deficit. That’s like hitting three 7s on a slot machine.
