getting revenge is not to become like the one who did harm. These are just some of the numerous miscellaneous philosophies found in Aurelius book. In order to become the person Aurelius eventually became, he needed the numerous teachers he received education from to help influence his views. Throughout his life, Aurelius was the pupil to many talented and famous philosophers. An early teacher to Aurelius was Epictetus, the freed slave who was actually considered a philosopher. The two men have similar views on many theories, which is natural when one is the pupil of the other. Q. Junius Rusticus was also a teacher to Aurelius. He was the official teacher of philosophy to Aurelius, and later went on to become Aurelius advisor after the need for a teacher for Aurelius had diminished. Also, such philosophers as Socrates, Epicurus, Plato, Aristotle, and Homer are quoted in Meditations a great many times. It does not seem as though Aurelius influenced a great many other people, or at least during his time. There were really no future rulers of Rome who were philosophers that shared his view. Starting from his son, Commodus, and on from there, the rulers of Rome were not the least bit philosophical. It seems that when Aurelius died, his way of ruling died with him. Aurelius was also considered one of the last, if not the last great Stoic. Aurelius definitely spent much time contemplating the law. He considered the natural law the highest kind of law, but, as he was an emperor, he also was concerned with the laws of an empire. He was considered a caring and humane person to his brothers, as is necessary when one is a Stoic. Dealing with the equality of man, he realized that men were divided into classes, and he was "superior" to others. However, as a Stoic, one should be satisfied with his job in life, and that should be enough to keep a man at peace with himself. And, if a man is tranquil and in accordance with nature, they...
