Olive Leaves; Or, Sketches of Character

by L. H. Sigourney

Marcus Aurelius is a favourite with historians, and has been ranked among the greatest of the good emperors. He made his predecessor, who was his father-in-law, his model in the affairs of government. He took pleasure in praising his virtues, and thus affectionately mentions some of them, in a work of which he was the author:

"I have much observed his meekness, and his constancy without wavering, in those things which after due deliberation he had determined. I remember his freedom from all vanity, his patient industry, his readiness to hear any man that had aught to say tending to the common good. How readily and impartially would he give every man his due. How modestly would he condescend to other men, as though he was an ordinary man himself. How accurately would he examine and consult, and how patiently would he hear others. Neither would he hastily give over the search of difficult matters, or be easily satisfied with sudden notions and opinions. How carefully would he preserve his friends, never treating them with neglect, or growing weary of them.

I love to remember his contented mind, his cheerful countenance, his care to foresee things afar off, and to give orders without noise or clamour. How was all flattery repressed by him, and how carefully did he observe all things necessary to the government, and keep an account of all the common expenses. And when he was reproached by some for this very strictness, how patiently did he bear it. He was neither studious to please men, nor ambitious of popular applause, but sober in all things, every where observant of that which was fitting. In those things which conduce to ease and convenience, of which his great fortune allowed him a plentiful supply, he was without pride or boasting. He freely enjoyed them when they were present, and when they were absent, was never uneasy for the want of them. He was commended as a man that could not endure to be flattered, but was able to govern both himself and others. He honoured all true philosophers, without upbraiding those who were not so. In his conversation he was sociable and delightful. How gently would he yield to those who had any peculiar talent, such as eloquence, or knowledge of the laws, or ancient customs, and how heartily he endeavoured that everyone might, according to their excellence, be regarded and esteemed. How constant was he in his attention to business; and after his great fits of headache, how fresh and vigorous would he return to his wonted affairs. In all things having respect unto men, only as men, and to the equity of things, and not unto the glory that might follow."

Marcus Aurelius still further evinced his gratitude and reverence for Antoninus Pius, by erecting to his memory a beautifully sculptured marble column, more than a hundred feet in height, and surmounted by his statue, which may still be seen at Rome, though more than 1700 years old.

He was a lover of knowledge. Through his whole life he laboured to obtain it. After he became an emperor, he used to go, and sometimes on foot, to the house of a man of wisdom, named Apollonius, that he might take lessons of him. He valued intellectual riches more than gold or power. Among all the cares of state, he found time for it, saying that it was his desire to learn as long as he lived.

He was particularly attached to the study of philosophy, and used to call it his mother, to prove his affection. He established schools for it, both at Rome and Athens. He often gave lectures in that science to the people, deeming it no derogation from imperial dignity to instruct and elevate the public mind. Especially, when about to be absent from the city, for any length of time, he thus addressed his people, that if he never returned, their last remembrance of him might be connected with precepts of virtue.

His principal faults were allowing the Christians to be persecuted, and being often engaged in war, though his principles revolted against it, and he considered it a calamity. He died at Vindobona, where the city of Vienna, in Austria, now stands, after the sickness of a week, on March 17th, 180; having lived fifty-nine years, and reigned nineteen. He was so much beloved, that many kept his image or statue in their houses, offering it flowers and incense, as one of their heathen gods.

The two last of these Emperors were called Antonines. Their united periods of sway amounted to forty-one years, and Rome never enjoyed greater happiness than during their sovereignty. Afterwards, it declined both in prosperity and virtue.

The reigns of the five good Emperors extended over a period of eighty-four years, just the length of one of the revolutions of the planet Herschel around the sun. With a single one of his years he measured out the earthly span of all these mighty monarchs. Ere he returned to his annual goal, they had risen, and flourished, and fallen.

A hoary-headed man might have seen the whole of their imperial sway. An aged English statesman, Sir John Mason, outlived five of his own sovereigns. In looking back upon so long a life, he said that he had received favours from them all, and been promoted to many honours, but that religion and hope in heaven were the truest riches, and all things else forsook him, but his God, his duty, and his prayers.