Early education, 128–136 Early life and career of Marcus Aurelius

bust of young marcus aurelius heir apparent, 138-144 ad, altes museum, berlin

marcus began education @ age of seven. taught @ home, in line contemporary aristocratic trends; marcus catilius severus encouraging him avoid public schools. 3 of childhood tutors known: euphoric, geminus, , unnamed educator. these 3 otherwise unattested in ancient sources, , have been household slaves or freedmen. since euphoric had greek name, taught marcus basics of language. (he said have taught marcus literature.) geminus described actor, , may have taught marcus latin pronunciation , general elocution. educator have been marcus overall supervisor, charged moral welfare , general development. marcus speaks of him admiration in meditations: taught him bear pain , content little; work own hands, mind own business, slow listen slander .

at age of twelve, marcus have been ready secondary education, under grammatici. 2 of teachers @ age known: andro, geometrician , musician ; , diognetus, painting-master. marcus thought of diognetus more mere painter, however. seems have introduced marcus philosophic way of life. marcus writes diognetus taught him avoid passing enthusiasms; distrust stories of miracle-workers , impostors incantations , exorcism of spirits , such things; not go cock-fighting or excited such sports; put outspokenness; , become familiar philosophy , write philosophical dialogues in boyhood . in april 132, @ behest of diognetus, marcus took dress , habits of philosopher: studied while wearing rough greek cloak, , sleep on ground until mother convinced him sleep on bed.

a new set of tutors—alexander of cotiaeum, trosius aper, , tuticius proculus—took on marcus education in 132 or 133. little known of latter 2 (both teachers of latin), alexander major littérateur, leading homeric scholar of day. marcus alexander training in literary styling. alexander s influence—an emphasis on matter on style, on careful wording, occasional homeric quotation—has been detected in marcus meditations.

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