The statue of Stoic philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, dominates the Campidoglio or Roman Capitol in the historic heart of Rome. The Campidoglio was one of the holiest places in ancient Rome and considered the founding nucleus of the entire Roman civilization. The square was designed in its current form by Michelangelo in 1534. In the background, the ancient Palazzo Senatorio, actually seat of the municipal government of Rome. .
History offers few better examples of someone preparing for a major life transition than Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius.
Chosen at a young age to one day "assume the purple," he spent his youth not chasing power but studying philosophy — reading, writing and thinking about what it meant to live well and rule wisely.
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