Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

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  • Create Date:2022-07-11 17:21:37
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Donald J. Robertson
  • ISBN:1250270952
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Summary

In the tradition of Logicomix, Donald J。 Robertson's Verissimus is a riveting graphic novel on the life and stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius。

Marcus Aurelius was the last famous Stoic of antiquity but he was also to become the most powerful man in the known world – the Roman emperor。 After losing his father at an early age, he threw himself into the study of philosophy。 The closest thing history knew to a philosopher-king, yet constant warfare and an accursed plague almost brought his empire to its knees。 “Life is warfare”, he wrote, “and a sojourn in foreign land!” One thing alone could save him: philosophy, the love of wisdom!

The remarkable story of Marcus Aurelius’ life and philosophical journey is brought to life by philosopher and psychotherapist Donald J。 Robertson, in a sweeping historical epic of a graphic novel, based on a close study of the historical evidence, with the stunning full-color artwork of award-winning illustrator Zé Nuno Fraga。

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Reviews

Angela O'Brien

The Roman Historian and senator, Cassius Dio, tells us that Emperor Hadrian was so impressed with the young Marcus Annius Verus, that he gave him the nickname of “Verissimus”, a play on the family name of “Verus” meaning “Truth”。 Verissimus means “Truest” or “Most True”。 This young child grew up to become the famous Stoic Philosopher and Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, the last of the “Five Good Emperors” and the name “Verissimus” continued to be used by some, long after his death。“Verissimus” is the The Roman Historian and senator, Cassius Dio, tells us that Emperor Hadrian was so impressed with the young Marcus Annius Verus, that he gave him the nickname of “Verissimus”, a play on the family name of “Verus” meaning “Truth”。 Verissimus means “Truest” or “Most True”。 This young child grew up to become the famous Stoic Philosopher and Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, the last of the “Five Good Emperors” and the name “Verissimus” continued to be used by some, long after his death。“Verissimus” is the title that has been chosen for this splendid graphic novel, a collaboration between the author Donald J。 Robertson and the award-winning illustrator, Ze Nuno Fraga。 This is my first foray into the world of graphic novels, and I have to say, a very enjoyable one。 You know you are in good hands when you pick up this book。 The author, the Patron of the Stoicism Society, is an expert in his field and has already written books on both Stoicism and Marcus Aurelius。 This book has been written after twenty-five years of meticulous research, during which time the author has drawn his information from ancient sources such as Cassius Dio, Herodian, Historia Augusta and the private letters of Marcus Aurelius; a fact that the historian and classicist in me, found really appealing。 Without giving too much away, the book takes you on a journey through the life of Marcus Aurelius, starting with Marcus’ childhood and taking you right up to his death。 It deals with the many different challenges that Marcus faced throughout his life including very serious issues such as the Parthian War and the Antonine Plague。 The book shows both how Marcus’ Stoic philosophy developed and how it shaped his attitudes and behaviour towards these challenges。 There were indeed many challenges throughout his reign, and this fact makes the book all the more exciting! Although I study classics and ancient history, I did not know too much about Marcus Aurelius’ Stoicism before I read this book and I found the information and writing style to be both informative and engaging。 The story and information is communicated to the reader with the most beautiful illustrations, creating a very entertaining and aesthetically pleasing book。 I believe that those interested in Stoicism, Marcus Aurelius, or philosophy and ancient in history in general, would find much to like about it。 It’s an enjoyable read that will appeal to people of all ages with different levels of knowledge about the topics within, ranging from a complete newcomer to the field to those who have a great deal of knowledge。 I highly recommend it! 。。。more

Mason Roulston

I thought I knew a lot about Marcus Aurelius, this book showed me I didn’t!

Jude Thaddeus

*I received an early review copy of this book from the publisher*I expected laying out Marcus Aurelius's complicated life and even more complicated philosophy in a graphic novel would leave a lot to be desired。 I thought Stoicism would be watered down to platitudes and Marcus's life — about which 400-page biographies have been written — would become a superhero blur。 I was wrong。 Donald Robertson knocked it out of the park, painting us a vivid picture of Marcus in all his complexity and indomita *I received an early review copy of this book from the publisher*I expected laying out Marcus Aurelius's complicated life and even more complicated philosophy in a graphic novel would leave a lot to be desired。 I thought Stoicism would be watered down to platitudes and Marcus's life — about which 400-page biographies have been written — would become a superhero blur。 I was wrong。 Donald Robertson knocked it out of the park, painting us a vivid picture of Marcus in all his complexity and indomitability。 We see a man struggling as life hands him setback after setback, and drawing on Stoicism to keep himself centered, virtuous, and effective where others would have been bowled over。 Especially of Note:1) Marcus gives us a long list of the people he's grateful for in book one of Meditations。 Virtually every one of these people appears in the book, showing Robertson's grasp of the complex tapestry of Marcus's life。 2) Robertson does a great job Showing Marcus's relationship with his Stoic teacher Junius Rusticus。 After Rusticus dies, we see Marcus writing Meditations as a way of stepping up to become his own teacher and guide, which prepares him for the hardest tests of all at the end of his life。 3) If you're familiar with Meditations and Marcus's letters to Fronto, you'll find the most important elements from them here。 Robertson masterfully weaves them into bits of dialogue and throwaway narration, filling out what could be a stuffy lecture with lots of personal details。 4) Although this book cover a lot of philosophy, it only rarely gets bogged down in it。 The pace is quick and the interplay between events and Marcus filtering of them through the lens of Stoicism seems natural。 All in all, this is a fantastic book with beautiful illustrations and great writing。 I highly recommend it。 。。。more

Randell Green

Advanced copy from Donald & NetGalley。 Fantastic! The art is phenomenal and Donald carefully weaves in stoic lessons under the backdrop of several Roman wars。 I really enjoyed how he taught Stoic lessons through the events of the characters。 Additionally, his attention to detail with the language and culture of Romans was superb。

C VOKINS

I have been lucky to have received pre-release access to this book。I have been studying Stoic philosophy for some time now, and have previously read various Stoic philosophy books, including "How to think like a Roman Emperor" also by Donald Robertson。To give a little background, if you haven't come across Donald's writing before, he is a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist and has written a number of books on Stoicism and it's relationship to better mental health/self improvement。 This new bo I have been lucky to have received pre-release access to this book。I have been studying Stoic philosophy for some time now, and have previously read various Stoic philosophy books, including "How to think like a Roman Emperor" also by Donald Robertson。To give a little background, if you haven't come across Donald's writing before, he is a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist and has written a number of books on Stoicism and it's relationship to better mental health/self improvement。 This new book is a graphic novel。 A genre I have never really looked into (last thing I read in this format was probably the Beano), and as someone who does enjoy an educational read I did wonder if it was for me。 Visually the book is stunning and the art work by Ze Nuno Fraga really fits the style of the time being portrayed。 The time of Marcus Aurelius, Verissimus。 This is the story of how Marcus became emperor and lived his life。 It tells of his studies, his teachers, and how he became who we know today (we have his own writings, Meditations to learn from too)。 What I have really enjoyed about this novel is that it manages to tell stories, within the story。 For example the choice of Hercules。 Even if you are an experienced Stoic, know of the facts, and have been practising for years, this graphic novel is a new take on the information, and I suggest would be suitable for younger people with an interest in history, philosophy, graphic novels and dare I say Stoicism, as well as an older audience。 。。。more

Enda Harte

My first time tackling a graphic novel。 I was pleasantly surprised。 I was unsure if a Philosophy / History type book would work in this format, but Donald and Zé have crafted a piece of art, that I'd recommend to anyone interesting in Roman history, or Stoic philosophy。 I've been writing about Stoicism for a while now, and I was thrilled to see so many references from that world, including some poignant illustrations and writing surrounding the religion and mythology of that period。 I think it's My first time tackling a graphic novel。 I was pleasantly surprised。 I was unsure if a Philosophy / History type book would work in this format, but Donald and Zé have crafted a piece of art, that I'd recommend to anyone interesting in Roman history, or Stoic philosophy。 I've been writing about Stoicism for a while now, and I was thrilled to see so many references from that world, including some poignant illustrations and writing surrounding the religion and mythology of that period。 I think it's a good place to start if you're new to Stoic Philosophy, and have maybe looked at the Meditation's of Marcus Aurelius。 You'll be able to connect the man to the work, and get the sense of why it was written 'to himself'。 Most importantly in a personal sense, It reminded me of the importance of Stoicism in my life, and why I should continue to practice it。 Seeing Marcus brought to life with colourful illustrations drove home the reality that if Stoicism is good enough for an Emperor of Rome who faced a barrage of large scale problems, it's got to be worth studying for my own personal growth at the very least。 Kudos to Donald, and the team for producing this piece of art! 。。。more

Jamie Ryder

It’s little wonder a philosophy that has been described as austere and confused with being emotionless has found its sex appeal。 I’m all for keeping this momentum going and making Stoicism more accessible to younger generations。 Donald Robertson’s Verissimus graphic novel could be a perfect Stoic entry point for Gen Z readers and younger。 Focusing on the life of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Verissimius is a sweeping epic of man putting his philosophy into action and has great relevance tod It’s little wonder a philosophy that has been described as austere and confused with being emotionless has found its sex appeal。 I’m all for keeping this momentum going and making Stoicism more accessible to younger generations。 Donald Robertson’s Verissimus graphic novel could be a perfect Stoic entry point for Gen Z readers and younger。 Focusing on the life of the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, Verissimius is a sweeping epic of man putting his philosophy into action and has great relevance today。Robertson weaves in many passages from The Meditations and shows how Marcus would have come to these conclusions day-to-day。 Great examples include Marcus lamenting on the death of his beloved philosophy teacher Junius Rusticus and starting to journal his thoughts as a way to teach himself to be a better person。Another example is the emperor expressing his short temper again and again and internal dialogue reflecting Stoic techniques like The View From Above to regulate his emotions。 The graphic novel is filled with many instances of theory being put into practice。 It’s a story that shows the full life of a boy who was raised to understand what true virtue and good character meant from his guardians, who was appointed many teachers in his youth and who carried those lessons with him into adulthood and old age to create a Roman Empire he could be proud of。 。。。more

gig

This book is a union of the stirring wisdom of Donald Robertson and the jaw-dropping artwork。 Verissimus offers insight as to how Marcus Aurelius became The Greatest Emperor Philosopher。 I made a mistake in a previous review, where I misconstrued the free gift PDF as the final version。 This was my fault, and I'm grateful to share that I'll correct my previous review。 This book is a union of the stirring wisdom of Donald Robertson and the jaw-dropping artwork。 Verissimus offers insight as to how Marcus Aurelius became The Greatest Emperor Philosopher。 I made a mistake in a previous review, where I misconstrued the free gift PDF as the final version。 This was my fault, and I'm grateful to share that I'll correct my previous review。 。。。more

Tom Schulte

This is an ambitious promotion of stoicism through a detailed graphic novel drawn from Roman history and exemplifying adages from Aurelius' writings。 Aurelius-like epigraphs set the stage for each story。 Unfortunately, I took in this very text-driven graphic novel on a 7。8" tablet screen。 It definitely deserves something much larger。 To me, bringing in Glykon, an ancient snake god, gives this a comic book feel。 For those finding philosophical points worth pondering in such things as The Matrix a This is an ambitious promotion of stoicism through a detailed graphic novel drawn from Roman history and exemplifying adages from Aurelius' writings。 Aurelius-like epigraphs set the stage for each story。 Unfortunately, I took in this very text-driven graphic novel on a 7。8" tablet screen。 It definitely deserves something much larger。 To me, bringing in Glykon, an ancient snake god, gives this a comic book feel。 For those finding philosophical points worth pondering in such things as The Matrix and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this may be an effective way to reach the Millennials or Generation Z or something。 For me, they are just not part of the Aurelian milieu, you know?All that being said, the Appendix here has a helpful summary of the "ten gifts" from the Muses and Apollo Marcus Aurelius gave us as for of a Ten Commandments of stoicism。 They are also summarized here。 。。。more

Dan

My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher St。 Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this historical and philosophical graphic novel。The acceptance of sequential art in publishing has a been a boon for writers and artists who prefer to do works outside of the mainstream, or who write books that are more scholarly and difficult to find a publisher for。 A book on an Emperor of Rome who was a stoic, maybe Knopf or Harcourt, if the author was known, would have once published it, but most likely My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher St。 Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this historical and philosophical graphic novel。The acceptance of sequential art in publishing has a been a boon for writers and artists who prefer to do works outside of the mainstream, or who write books that are more scholarly and difficult to find a publisher for。 A book on an Emperor of Rome who was a stoic, maybe Knopf or Harcourt, if the author was known, would have once published it, but most likely it would have been a university publisher who would print just enough copies to make sure that print run was its only print run, spending more time on a library shelf than a major bookstores sales table。 Now with more and more people reading graphic novels, of all sorts of genres, books like this will have a market that is much more accepting。 Verissimus:The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius written by Donald J。 Robertson, with art by Zé Nuno Fraga, is a biography and history of the Emperor and the philosophy that he followed。The book begins at the end of Marcus Aurelius life with his son Commodus by his side。 The book than goes back to the beginning with a young Marcus Aurelius facing a like without his father, and decisions being made about his future and education。 Nicknamed Verissimus by the Emperor Hadrian which meant "truest" Aurelius had already found consulation in philosophy to deal with his father's death, a path that he would follow the rest of his life。 As Emperor he tried to his wisdom to lead and decide, but wars, plague and constant intrigues made that difficult。 The book encompasses almost twenty- five years of research by Donald Robertson, so the research and work definitely shows。 The characters are all interesting, I'm not sure how true to life, but they all were clear and very well defined。 The art makes the book, a mix of both fantastic and realism, and bright, that keeps the story moving, and accompanies the story quite well。 I'm not sure that you get a good sense of stoicism, but what I read intrigued me, and was not info- dumped。 I felt that I learned as much as I was entertained。 Being a long time comic reader I remember Pirhana Press has a series of philosophical comic adventures called Epicurus the Sage by Willam Messner- Loebs。 These go back quite a way, and I remember enjoying them and my father who was a theology and philosophy minor thought they were great fun, and explained the ideals and basis of a lot of the adventures。 This book has the same sense, though not as funny。 Like Logicomix in which it compares itself the premise is to entertain, and teach more about the world and the foundations of dealing with and thinking。 It does succeed。 Recommended for philosophy majors and minors, thinkers, artists and creative types who like the idea that comics can be a lot more than men in capes or ladies in capes hitting things, but can teach and be shared with others。 。。。more

Brandon Lopez

Received a copy through a GoodReads giveaway (thank you!) and loved the art in this book! The storytelling was well-paced and engaging。

Brandy

Thank you to Goodreads for sending this book for me to review。I am so glad that this turned out to be a graphic novel。 Plus, I got to learn something about Stoic Philosophy。 The book is about Marcus Aurelius whose nickname is Verissimus。 He loved philosophy and more that he used it for when he became an emperor。This book is very interesting to see his life and his views on life。I learn something today from reading this book and that's what to think when you feel anger or frustrated。 I give it a Thank you to Goodreads for sending this book for me to review。I am so glad that this turned out to be a graphic novel。 Plus, I got to learn something about Stoic Philosophy。 The book is about Marcus Aurelius whose nickname is Verissimus。 He loved philosophy and more that he used it for when he became an emperor。This book is very interesting to see his life and his views on life。I learn something today from reading this book and that's what to think when you feel anger or frustrated。 I give it a three and half but more of a three because I did had headaches from all the philosophy in the book。。。 Not a bad thing, just so you know。Recommended to those who wants to learn something。 Not recommended if you don't like wordy conversations。 。。。more

Johanna Sawyer

This was referred to me because of other titles I have asked for and I have to say this was a unique look at stoicism。 I was not familiar with the character the book was about。 Done in a graphic design to maybe garner interest for people who like graphic novels。 The format I received however wasn’t the greatest for reading as a graphic novel since some of it was cut off。 Unique idea。 I received a complimentary copy to enjoy and voluntarily left this review。

Shauna Morrison

There is a lot of information packed into this graphic novel。 The author and illustrator did a good job of telling the story without overwhelming readers with information on each page。 An interesting read for anyone interested in Roman history and philosophy。

Pop Bop

Logic, Physics, Ethics - the Search for Virtue。。。。。。。。。Stoicism is popular right now, and that's all for the good。 Its basic tenets are accessible, practical, and especially well-suited for navigating the world as it presently stands。 There are many good books that lay out the basics, starting from the "Enchiridion" and "Discourses" of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations", right up to recently published volumes。 Heck, you could start at Wikipedia or the Encyclopedia Britannica if you wa Logic, Physics, Ethics - the Search for Virtue。。。。。。。。。Stoicism is popular right now, and that's all for the good。 Its basic tenets are accessible, practical, and especially well-suited for navigating the world as it presently stands。 There are many good books that lay out the basics, starting from the "Enchiridion" and "Discourses" of Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius's "Meditations", right up to recently published volumes。 Heck, you could start at Wikipedia or the Encyclopedia Britannica if you want a quick fix。 This book, though, takes a novel and engaging approach。 As a graphic novel it has its limitations, but also a quirky appeal。 By focusing on the life of Marcus Aurelius it adds a unique angle of interest, and emphasizes the historical origins of Stoicism and the development of Aurelius as a thinker。 The book touches on the high points of the Stoic approach and it, for want of a better phrase, humanizes the development and establishment of the practice。I don't know if I'd necessarily want to start my exploration of Stoicism here, although I guess one could do worse。 In any event, for anyone interested in the Stoics and Marcus Aurelius this is an engaging and interesting contribution。 A nice find。(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review。 Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book。) 。。。more

Ivy

I would like to thank St。 Martin's Press for this Advanced Reader Copy graphic novel。I recognized the name Marcus Aurelius and so had to read this book。 The drawing is great, and the story was very well written。 I learned somethings I didn't know and remembered some I had learned in High School。 It was very well written and brought the history to life for me。 I would like to thank St。 Martin's Press for this Advanced Reader Copy graphic novel。I recognized the name Marcus Aurelius and so had to read this book。 The drawing is great, and the story was very well written。 I learned somethings I didn't know and remembered some I had learned in High School。 It was very well written and brought the history to life for me。 。。。more

Sherry Brown

I have always enjoyed graphics in a book and those in this book are awesome!!! It was a fast , and very enjoyable read!! Loved it!!!!

William

3。5 star。 See disclaimer below。This book is an ambitious effort to bring the life and Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius to the post-modern reader via the graphic novel。 This technique is effective for telling the story in dramatic form and for setting the context of the why of Aurelius’ famous sayings。 Much research went into presenting an accurate account of an obscure history, specifically regarding plagues and military campaigns during Aurelius’ times。 While the message gets across, there a 3。5 star。 See disclaimer below。This book is an ambitious effort to bring the life and Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius to the post-modern reader via the graphic novel。 This technique is effective for telling the story in dramatic form and for setting the context of the why of Aurelius’ famous sayings。 Much research went into presenting an accurate account of an obscure history, specifically regarding plagues and military campaigns during Aurelius’ times。 While the message gets across, there are times when the history is dull, the characters excessively cruel, and the connections to stoicism hard to identify。 Disclaimer: I received this prepublication uncorrected proof as a giveaway for review and comment。 I found the newspaper quality printing (will be glossy and colored when published) and the small font hard to read, which made my reading for critique harder。 I tried to disregard this in my review。 。。。more

Marquise

Well, well, as if the heavens had listened to my wishes, at long last someone has done a graphic novel to the delight of all loyal servants of the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius。I solemnly promise not to slip into Gladiator gushing as I review this, never fear, but I'd have to be obtuse to not see that the opening chapter is reminiscent of the film, with Marcus Aurelius up North in the war with the Germans and dying in the presence of his insufferable son, Commodus。 But the film is fictional and Well, well, as if the heavens had listened to my wishes, at long last someone has done a graphic novel to the delight of all loyal servants of the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius。I solemnly promise not to slip into Gladiator gushing as I review this, never fear, but I'd have to be obtuse to not see that the opening chapter is reminiscent of the film, with Marcus Aurelius up North in the war with the Germans and dying in the presence of his insufferable son, Commodus。 But the film is fictional and has numerous historical blunders, whilst Verissimus is the true story of the last of the Five Good Emperors, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus。I'm impressed by Mr Robertson's research and his meticulosness in laying out the Caesar's Stoic philosophy, which isn't as easy as one would think from the quotes in "Meditations," that the author uses very effectively here。 Robertson knows the emperor's philosophical thought well, has stayed faithful to the sources and stuck to what's credible, taking very minor creative liberties, about which you can read in the afterword notes。 These authorial notes are also much appreciated, because as I was reading I had some questions that, if left unanswered, would've looked like loose ends and omissions。 For example, in the chapters covering the Antonine Plague, he preferred to not include the Christians as I'd have expected, but the authorial notes give me an idea as to the reason for it。The Marcus Aurelius that shines in Verissimus is a good man, a genuinely kind soul that struggles with the flaws of his nature, and does live his philosophy in his daily life and implements his Stoic principles both for himself as a man and for his role as emperor instead of merely indulging in rhetoric and sophistry。 He learns early in life the precepts of Stoicism, which in his childish mind he interprets in hilarious ways at first, such as when he tries to live like a pauper in his own home or mouthing off to emperor Hadrian, who bestows on him the nickname "Verissimus," he who is most truthful, for daring to tell him to his face what nobody does。 Can a good child grow up to be a good emperor, though? Or will the old maxim that power corrupts be proven on him once he's Caesar? Marcus Aurelius is aware of the temptations and trappings of power, and is afraid of it, but this same self-awareness is what keeps him grounded and humble。 That, and having good role models such as his grandfather Verus, his adoptive father Antoninus Pius, his tutors Rusticus and Fronto, etc。 But Marcus Aurelius is also a practical man, in spite of his military commanders and some other elites dissing him as The Philosopher, too bookish to have the firm ruling hand an empire the size of Rome demands。 Bookish and Stoic he might be, but Marcus Aurelius is no out-of-touch ascetic or a saint; he does have flaws, a temper he badly wants to rein in, he makes mistakes, he trusts the wrong people, and so on。 A good emperor he was, and did much for Rome, but he also faced enormous challenges such as the War of Many Nations in the north with various German tribes and Sarmatians, the war with Parthia, the Antonine Plague that wiped millions across the empire after legionnaires brought it from the East (sounds familiar?), the civil war with Cassius that was just barely averted。。。 The novel does an excellent job representing all his many challenges in power, and his personal tragedies, too, for he lost loved relatives early and so many of his own children, until the one male heir left standing was everyone's love-to-hate emperor, Commodus。It's a beautiful novel, in my opinion。 The aesthetics of Zé's artwork might not be to everyone's liking, but I appreciated that the artist was as careful with historical accuracy as the writer。 The armour, legion formations, architecture, clothing, hairdos, and so on, are well-done without being excessively detailed。 I highly recommend it!Thank you to St。 Martin's Press for the ARC through NetGalley in exchange for a review。 。。。more

literaryelise

This was a delightful graphic novel!! I am big fan of books on Roman history and I love comics so this was the perfect graphic novel for me。 A huge make or break for me in a graphic novel is always the art and I loved the art in this book! It was very mellow and soothing but also extremely detailed and beautiful! I also thought the story telling was quite good and it was a fun way to learn about Marcus Aurelius。 A really accessible and enjoyable text! Loved this!!

Andréa

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley。