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Marcus Aurelius writes notes to himself at the front

170–180 CE, Carnuntum. An event.

Where and when

170–180 CECarnuntum

about 1,856 years ago

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, Carnuntum

Fighting the tribes along the Danube, the emperor keeps a private notebook in Greek. Some books end with where he was.

This in Carnuntum.

Marcus Aurelius 2.17Translated by George Long (1862)Read the full passage (Marcus Aurelius 2.17, opens gutenberg.org)

Background: Marcus Aurelius, Wikipedia (opens en.wikipedia.org)

Why it matters

The Meditations became one of the most important sources for the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy, and many commentators count it among the greatest works of philosophy.

Based on Wikipedia: Marcus Aurelius

As a philosopher, his work Meditations is one of the most important sources for the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy.

It has been considered by many commentators to be one of the greatest works of philosophy.

Wikipedia, Marcus Aurelius (opens en.wikipedia.org), as of 2026-09-06. Text CC BY-SA 4.0. Our line is checked against these sentences only.

Related moments

In time order, with this one in its place. Each says why it is here.

  1. 165–180 CEDuring it A plague spreads through the empire Same years
  2. 170–180 CEThis momentMarcus Aurelius writes notes to himself at the front
  3. c. 170–180 CEBegins this year Marcus Aurelius on how to begin the morning Rests on this eventAlso in Carnuntum
  4. c. 170–180 CEBegins this year Marcus Aurelius on what his mother taught Rests on this event
  5. c. 170–180 CEBegins this year Marcus Aurelius on what Rusticus taught him Rests on this event
  6. c. 170–180 CEBegins this year Marcus Aurelius on working together Rests on this eventAlso in Carnuntum
  7. c. 170–180 CEBegins this year Marcus Aurelius on the only life we lose Rests on this eventAlso in Carnuntum

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