<DIV>Marcus Aurelius (121?180 AD) is one of the great figures of antiquity whose life and words still speak to us today. His <i>Meditations</i> remains one of the most widely read books from the classical world, and his life represents the fulfillment of Plato's famous dictum that mankind will prosper only when philosophers are rulers. Based on all available original sources, <i>Marcus Aurelius</i> is the definitive biography to date of this monumental historical figure.</DIV>