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How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
- The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius
- Narrated by: Donald J. Robertson
- Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins
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Publisher's Summary
"This book is a wonderful introduction to one of history's greatest figures: Marcus Aurelius. His life and this book are a clear guide for those facing adversity, seeking tranquility and pursuing excellence." — Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way and The Daily Stoic
The life-changing principles of Stoicism taught through the story of its most famous proponent.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was the final famous Stoic philosopher of the ancient world. The Meditations, his personal journal, survives to this day as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, psychotherapist Donald Robertson weaves stories of Marcus’s life from the Roman histories together with explanations of Stoicism—its philosophy and its psychology—to enlighten today’s listeners. He discusses Stoic techniques for coping with everyday problems, from irrational fears and bad habits to anger, pain, and illness.
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor takes listeners on a transformative journey along with Marcus, following his progress from a young noble at the court of Hadrian—taken under the wing of some of the finest philosophers of his day—through to his reign as emperor of Rome at the height of its power. Robertson shows how Marcus used philosophical doctrines and therapeutic practices to build emotional resilience and endure tremendous adversity, and guides listeners through applying the same methods to their own lives.
Combining remarkable stories from Marcus’s life with insights from modern psychology and the enduring wisdom of his philosophy, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor puts a human face on Stoicism and offers a timeless and essential guide to handling the ethical and psychological challenges we face today.
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Where can you find joy? Gain strength? How should we face our fears? Deal with the death of a loved one? And what about those reoccurring depressing thoughts? While traditional schooling doesn’t address such questions, it’s exactly what ancient schools of philosophy were all about: They taught you how to live. Even though these schools don’t exist anymore, you and I and most people are in as much need of a philosophy that guides us through life as we ever were. This compelling, highly actionable guide shows you how to deal more effectively with whatever life throws at you.
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Almost every religion, spiritual practice, philosophy and person grapples with fear. The most repeated phrase in the Bible is “Be not afraid.” The ancient Greeks spoke of phobos, panic and terror. It is natural to feel fear, the Stoics believed, but it cannot rule you. Courage, then, is the ability to rise above fear, to do what’s right, to do what’s needed, to do what is true. And so it rests at the heart of the works of Marcus Aurelius, Aristotle, and CS Lewis, alongside temperance, justice, and wisdom.
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Stay in your lane, Ryan.
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Discourses and Selected Writings
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Epictetus, a Greek stoic and freed slave, ran a thriving philosophy school in Nicropolis in the early second century AD. His animated discussions were celebrated for their rhetorical wizardry and were written down by Arrian, his most famous pupil. Together with the Enchiridion, a manual of his main ideas, and the fragments collected here, The Discourses argue that happiness lies in learning to perceive exactly what is in our power to change and what is not, and in embracing our fate to live in harmony with god and nature.
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Simply Excellent
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What the critics say
"This book is a wonderful introduction to one of history's greatest figures: Marcus Aurelius. His life and this book are a clear guide for those facing adversity, seeking tranquility and pursuing excellence." (Ryan Holiday, best-selling author of The Obstacle Is the Way and The Daily Stoic)
What listeners say about How to Think Like a Roman Emperor
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2024-01-05
Enjoyable Listen
An interesting overview of The Meditations and the life of Marcus Aurelius. Good pacing to keep things interesting between topics.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2024-03-29
Best book I've Ever Read
The title sounds so cliche, and purists will say you must read the original, but this book is very well done.
This book changed my life. Stoic practice is like exercise. You must keep at it, or it will atrophy.
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- Amazon Customer
- 2020-10-02
Engaging, calming
I've been listening to this on daily walks.I found it soothing. Engaging story telling with notes on how stoic philosophy can be applied to modern life.
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- Pat
- 2021-07-22
Great narrator and great book
Great story about the life of Marcus Aurelius and the environment in which he lived in.
The narrator's performance was perfect for this book.
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- Transit Guy.
- 2021-10-09
Makes you yhink as it should
This reading opens your mind up to thinking and seeing life in new ways. I would advise listening on a quiet area where there is no distinction so you can absorb it best.
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- Guy
- 2020-06-11
Invaluable
This book is a true jewel - it offers an emotionally sustainable perspective on life, if your willing to apply the knowledge.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Dexter
- 2021-02-17
phenomenal philosophy
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I am interested in becoming a better version of myself. I believe that stoicism has the tools I was lacking to do so, I was able to apply some of the teachings to my own personal issues and have learned to better handle my emotions.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Danie
- 2019-09-21
This is a gem
What am amazingly refreshing listen. The content is very well organised and it quotes from the ancient texts amply. The author makes useful advice and examples from very relevant material.
Much effort is made to ensure that the concepts are well explained.
The reading voice and accent is a treat.
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- Jessie
- 2022-12-28
Favourite book on Stoicism
Have listened to many audio books on stoicism; I keep returning to this one. Great interpretations on Meditations, narrated well.
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- marcel
- 2020-06-18
outstanding! changed my life
for a while I dealt with anxiety and depression, I fought with myself about trying to be a better person and understand who I am, but I never got anywhere as my lazyness trapped me. This book helped me understand not only how I can control the vices of my personal self but to understand how any negativity and struggle in your life is meaningless to you, you are your own being and negativity is something you can easily push away as you can a box.
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2 people found this helpful