마르쿠스 아울레리우스의 명상록.The Book of Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius
INTRODUCTION
MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS was born on April 26, A.D. 121. His real name
was M. Annius Verus, and he was sprung of a noble family which claimed descent
from Numa, second King of Rome. Thus the most religious of emperors came of
the blood of the most pious of early kings. His father, Annius Verus, had held
high office in Rome, and his grandfather, of the same name, had been thrice
Consul. Both his parents died young, but Marcus held them in loving
remembrance. On his father's death Marcus was adopted by his grandfather, the
consular Annius Verus, and there was deep love between these two. On the very
first page of his book Marcus gratefully declares how of his grandfather he had
learned to be gentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. The
Emperor Hadrian divined the fine character of the lad, whom he used to call not
Verus but Verissimus, more Truthful than his own name. He advanced Marcus to
equestrian rank when six years of age, and at the age of eight made him a
member of the ancient Salian priesthood. The boy's aunt, Annia Galeria Faustina,
was married to Antoninus Pius, afterwards emperor. Hence it came about that
Antoninus, having no son, adopted Marcus, changing his name to that which he
is known by, and betrothed him to his daughter Faustina. His education was
conducted with all care. The ablest teachers were engaged for him, and he was
trained in the strict doctrine of the Stoic philosophy, which was his great delight.
He was taught to dress plainly and to live simply, to avoid all softness and luxury.
His body was trained to hardihood by wrestling, hunting, and outdoor games;
and though his constitution was weak, he showed great personal courage to
encounter the fiercest boars. At the same time he was kept from the
extravagancies of his day. The great excitement in Rome was the strife of the
Factions, as they were called, in the circus. The racing drivers used to adopt one
of four colours―red, blue, white, or green―and their partisans showed an
eagerness in supporting them which nothing could surpass. Riot and corruption
went in the train of the racing chariots; and from all these things Marcus held
severely aloof.