Petra Lambeck of DW News recently wrote of a social media revival around Marcus Aurelius, discussing his life experiences as a Roman Emperor and devout Stoic, and how his personal writings have disseminated over the course of history. As a writer of a fantasy series featuring Marcus Aurelius, I wanted to touch upon how the ‘Meditations’ of Marcus Aurelius have the power to illuminate humanity in individuals where they could otherwise be filled with darkness and corruptive desire.
Having read Marcus Aurelius at the ripe age of twelve years old, I have taken with me the stories and principles Aurelius, as his character is referred to in my contemporary fantasy series The Immortal Philosophers. As a child, Aurelius learned Greek Stoic philosophy by the guiding hand of his grandfather, with a determination in both of them to have Aurelius learn to be a good leader during some of Rome’s most troubling times.
It turns out, what makes a good leader is the same as what makes a good man, and a good immortal, if you follow the immortal adventures of Marcus Aurelius in The Immortal Philosophers. To be moral is to be rooted in principles that Aurelius sums up through numerous quotes, but the most common and referred to are the following:
“Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig.”
“You have power over your mind, not outside events.”
“Very little is needed to make a happy life.”
In many ways we can connect the Stoic and Aurelian approach to life as a giving expression. Looking inside for happiness shows the individual ability of self fulfillment not dependent on outside forces, with the casual effect of deeper fulfillment the more you settle inside for happiness. The fact that “little” is needed for happiness reminds us that our unhappy selves need only change our minds.
This reminds us that as long as we have the few necessities of life, we ought be happy with ourselves and the life we are living. To desire more is to compromise that happiness. – Now in a materialistic world like today this concept can seem extreme, but every young person discovers just how overwhelming long lists of desires can feel and how at peace you can feel by simply throwing that list away.
With everything going wrong in the world today, it can be easy for us as individuals to feel depressed and anxious, and while some levels of stress are motivators to take action when action is needed, paralyzing anxiety and depression can be dangerous and unhealthy. Aurelius reminds us that in the grand scheme of life, we have to remember the places over which we have power. Only our minds do we have the power to control, and sometimes that feels compromised. However, Aurelius says this to remind us not to fall into a co-dependency with outside events. The power over your mind and emotions is yours to control, not the whims of others or of the world to toy with.
Does Marcus Aurelius have all the answers for the 21st century? Maybe, but probably not. The Immortal Philosophers contemporary fantasy book series brings in many other historical philosophers in a present day setting to adventure with young immortals and expose society to philosophers and philosophies from different places in history. From ancient South East Asia, to the Roman Empire, and from places yet to be revealed.
Book one is listed on Amazon and orderable from everywhere you buy books! Book two release is for early 2026, with a cover reveal coming, so sign up for our newsletter. Signed Copies Here
Click Here for the Petra Lambeck June 8, 2025 DW News article.
Dylan Eaglegod is on the run from the monsters of his old life after spending years living closeted with homophobic friends in Manhattan. He escapes to the Jersey Shore for new adventures and the potential for romance, but is confronted with dark secrets from his past after learning that Joshua, the ringleader of his old friend group, is after him and more dangerous than ever.
Dylan has to learn from Antonio and the other Immortal Philosophers as he embraces his powers to discover how to defeat Joshua before Joshua discovers them. Everyone has a part to play, but only Dylan can save them all.
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