Written in Greek by the only Roman emperor who was also a philosopher, with no intention of publication, the Marcus Aurelius Meditations offer a remarkable series of challenging spiritual reflections and exercises developed as the emperor struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. While the Meditations were composed to provide personal comfort and encouragement, Marcus Aurelius also created one of the greatest works of philosophy - a timeless collection that has been consulted and admired by statesmen, thinkers, and readers throughout the centuries.