"Marcus Aurelius Antoninus." opp cit.). Fronto, the precepter and bosom friend of Marcus Aurelius, denounced the followers of the new religion in a formal discourse (Min. No better proof the tone of the period and of the widespread knowledge of Christian beliefs and practices which prevailed among the pagans is needed than the contemporary "True Word" of Celsus (see ORIGEN), a work in which were collected all the calumnies of pagan malice and all the arguments, set forth with the skill of the trained rhetorician, which the philosophy and experience of the pagan world could muster against the new creed. The impulse given by this legislation to an unrelenting pursuit of the followers of Christ rendered their condition so precarious that many changes in ecclesiastical organization and discipline date, at least in embryo, from this reign. Bellori, “La Colonne Antonine”, and Eckhel, “Doctrina Nummorum”, III, 64).
The Christian writers attributed the fact to the prayers of the Christians who were in the army (Claudius Apollinaris in Eusebius, Church History V.5; Tertullian, "Apol. 2. Incidentally, this document throws much light on the character and extent of the persecution of the Christians in Southern Gaul, and on the share of the emperor therein. Aug. IV); Dion Cassius, "Epitome of Xiphilinos"; Herodian; Fronto, "Epistolae" and Aulus Gellius "Noctes Atticae". It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. From such and so many causes it is not surprising that Christian blood flowed freely in all parts of the empire. cit. Saint of the Day for Saturday, Oct 24th, 2020. Eccl., IV, xxvi, 5) were local ordinances of municipal authorities or provincial governors; as to the emperor, he maintained against the Christians the existing legislation, though it has been argued that the imperial edict (Digests, XLVIII, xxix, 30) against those who terrify by superstition “the fickle minds of men” was directed against the Christian society. Another significant fact, pointing to the growing numbers and influence of the Christians, and the increasing distrust on the part of the imperial authorities and the cultured classes, is that an active literary propaganda, emanating from the imperial surrounding, was commenced at this period. Aurelius Antoninus, MARCUS, Roman Emperor, A.D. 161-180, b. at Rome, April 26, 121; d.March 17, 180. The chief authorities for his life are Julius Capitolinus, "Vita Marci Antonini Philosophi" (SS. People with strange-sounding names -- the Marcomanni, Varistae, Hermanduri, Quadis, Suevi, Jazyges, Vandals -- collected along the Danube, crossed the frontiers, and became the advance-guard of the great migration known as the "Wandering of the Nations", which four centuries later culminated in the overthrow of the Western Empire. During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion (Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. IV, xx-i, 5) were local ordinances of municipal authorities or provincial governors; as to the emperor, he maintained against the Christians the existing legislation, though it has been argued that the imperial edict (Digests XLVIII, xxix, 30) against those who terrify by superstition "the fickle minds of men" was directed against the Christian society. Strange rites of expiation and sacrifice were resorted to, victims were stain by thousands, and the assistance of the gods of the Orient sought for as well as that of the gods of Rome.

Lucius Verus took command of the troops in 162 and, through the valor and skill of his lieutenants in a war known officially as the Bellum Armeniacum et Parthicum, waged over the wide area of Syria, Cappadocia, Armenia, Mesopotamia, and Media, was able to celebrate a glorious triumph in 166, For a people so long accustomed to peace as the Romans were, this war was well nigh fatal. Eccl., IV, xiii), see Antoninus Pius ]. It is clear, however, from the scattered references in contemporary writings (Celsus "In Origen. pp. He was steeped in the grossest superstition; he surrounded himself with charlatans and magicians, and took with seriousness even the knavery of Alexander of Abonoteichos. In honour of his adopted father he changed his name from M. Julius Aurelius Verus to M. Aurelius Antoninus. The Cynic philosopher Crescens took part in a public disputation with St. Justin in Rome. The Cynic philosopher Crescens (see Saint Justin Martyr) took part in a public disputation with St. Justin in Rome. Hon. From his earliest years he enjoyed the friendship and patronage of the Emperor Hadrian, who bestowed on him the honor of the equestrian order when he was only six years old, made him a member of the Salian priesthood at eight, and compelled Antoninus Pius immediately after his own adoption to adopt as sons and heirs both the young Marcus and Ceionius Commodus, known later as the Emperor Lucius Verus. c. iv), and soon there grew up a legend to the effect that in consequence of this miracle the emperor put a stop to the persecution of the Christians (cf. If any general imperial edict was issued, it has not survived. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). Strange rites of expiation and sacrifice were resorted to, victims were slain by thousands, and the assistance of the gods of the Orient sought for as well as that of the gods of Rome. His father died while Marcus was yet a boy, and he was adopted by his grandfather, Annius Verus. That such an event did really happen is attested both by pagan and Christian writers.

Cf. The Roman army was surrounded by enemies, with no chance of escape, when a storm burst. In the first pages of his “Meditations” (I, i-xvii) he has left us an account, unique in antiquity, of his education by near relatives and by tutors of distinction; diligence, gratitude, and hardiness seem to have been its chief characteristics. It must be conceded that the testimony of Claudius Apollinaris (see Smith and Wace, “Dict. He was steeped in the grossest superstition; he surrounded himself with charlatans and magicians, and took with seriousness even the knavery of Alexander of Abonoteichos. For the possible relations of the emperor with Christian bishops see Abercius of Hierapolis, and Melito of Sardis. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02109a.htm. Though a Stoic deeply rooted in the principles developed by Seneca and Epictetus, Aurelius cannot be said to have any consistent system of philosophy. It is clear that during the reign of Aurelius the comparative leniency of the legislation of Trajan gave way to a more severe temper. In Asia Minor and in Syria the blood of Christians flowed in torrents (Allard, op. In honour of his adopted father he changed his name from M. Julius Aurelius Verus to M. Aurelius Antoninus.

Duchesne says (Hist. Frontonis Reliquiae, Berlin, 1816) this history of his inner life is the only work which we have from his pen. The style is utterly without merit and distinction, apparently a matter of pride, for he tells us he had learned to abstain from rhetoric, and poetry, and fine writing. Apropos of the Antonines the judicious Montesquieu says that, if we set aside for a moment the contemplation of the Christian verities, we cannot read the life of this emperor without a softening feeling of emotion. In Asia Minor and in Syria the blood of Christians flowed in torrents (Allard, op. Orac. Marcus obtained a glorious victory as a result of this extraordinary event, and his enemies were hopelessly overthrown. Biogr. The Chatti and Chauci attempted to cross the Rhine and the upper reaches of the Danube.

On the other hand, the warm eulogies which many writers have heaped on Marcus Aurelius as a ruler and as a man seem excessive and overdrawn. 1907. It seems more probable that the “new decrees” mentioned by Eusebius (Hist. Duchesne says (Hist. During the war with the Quadi in 174 there took place the famous incident of the Thundering Legion ( Legio Fulminatrix, Fulminea, Fulminata ) which has been a cause of frequent controversy between Christian and non-Christian writers. The parched and famishing Romans received the saving drops first on their faces and parched throats, and afterwards in their helmets and shields, to refresh their horses. Healy, P. (1907). Felix, "Octavius", cc.

infra, pp. Marcus Aurelius was one of the best men of heathen antiquity. [For the much-disputed rescript "Ad conventum Asiae" (Eus., Hist. Apropos of the Antonines the judicious Montesquieu says that, if we set aside for a moment the contemplation of the Christian verities, we can not read the life of this emperor without a softening feeling of emotion. Bellori, "La Colonne Antonine", and Eckhel, "Doctrina Nummorum", III, 64). Eccl., V, i-iv) in which is contained the description of the tortures inflicted (177) on Blandina and her companions at Lyons. He seems also (ibid.)

These attacks were easily repelled. cit. His dilettanteism rendered him utterly unfitted for the practical affairs of a large empire in a time of stress. The chief authorities for his life are Julius Capitolinus, "Vita Marci Antonini Philosophi" (SS.
Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited. Philosophy became a disease in his mind and cut him off from the truths of practical life. [For the much-disputed rescript "Ad conventum Asiae" (Eusebius, Church History IV.13), see ANTONINUS PIUS]. For a people so long accustomed to peace as the Romans were, this war was wellnigh fatal. Marcus Aurelius was one of the best men of heathen antiquity. Hist.

He was more concerned with realizing in his own life (to say the truth, a stainless one) the Stoic ideal of perfection, than he was with the pressing duties of his office. Not so with the outbreak in the Orient, which commenced in 161 and did not cease until 166.

Of humble origin, he was born at Sirmium in Illyria ; by courage and ability he won the confidence of the soldiers, and during the reign of Marcus Aurelius [should read "Lucius Domitius Aurelianus" — Ed. ] He was raised to the consularship in 140, and in 147 received the "tribunician power". 375, 376, 388, 389). Biogr. 376, 388, 389).