How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

by Donald J. Robertson

Summary of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

Exploring Marcus Aurelius’s life and Stoic practice to show how ancient wisdom can strengthen the modern mind.

Summary

In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, Donald J. Robertson weaves the biography of Marcus Aurelius together with clear explanations of Stoic psychology, demonstrating how the emperor’s personal struggles and philosophical exercises anticipate modern cognitive‑behavioral therapy. Robertson guides readers through Aurelius’s trials—from grief over loved ones to the burdens of power—illustrating practical Stoic techniques (daily reflection, negative visualization, the discipline of assent) that cultivate resilience, virtue, and inner calm.

Key Ideas

• The Unity of Philosophy and Life – Stoicism is not abstract theory but a daily practice integrating ethics, logic, and psychology.
• Cognitive Therapy Roots – Marcus’s methods of disputing harmful thoughts prefigure modern CBT.
• The Discipline of Perception – Training oneself to see events neutrally, avoiding emotional excess.
• Amor Fati & Negative Visualization – Embracing fate and imagining potential loss to appreciate the present.
• Virtue as the Highest Good – Flourishing arises from living in accordance with reason and moral character.

Reading Recommendations

Focus on:

• Chapter 2 (pp. 25–50) – Early life and Stoic apprenticeship under Junius Rusticus.
• Chapter 5 (pp. 120–150) – Psychological techniques in Aurelius’s private reflections.
• Chapter 8 (pp. 200–230) – Applying Stoicism under extreme duress (war, plague).

Notable Quotes

1. “You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” — p. 78
2. “The ultimate goal of Stoicism is to transform your internal world so profoundly that external misfortunes cannot touch your core.” — p. 213

Counterpoints

Some critics argue that Stoicism’s emphasis on emotional detachment may lead to passivity or suppress genuine feeling. Others note that Robertson’s narrative can underplay historical nuances, casting Marcus Aurelius too uniformly as a “therapist‑in‑chief” rather than a complex political figure.

Related Subjects

• Ancient Greek philosophy (Epictetus, Seneca)
• Cognitive‑behavioral therapy (Aaron T. Beck)
• Mindfulness and modern psychotherapy

Further Reading

• Meditations by Marcus Aurelius — primary source of Stoic reflections.
• A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine — contemporary introduction to Stoicism’s practical exercises.

Contrasting Views

• The Art of Happiness by Epicurus — offers a hedonistic alternative to Stoic virtue ethics.
• Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday — modern Stoic spin that some argue oversimplifies the original doctrines.

Imported reading notes

Blurb

“This book is a wonderful introduction to one of history’s greatest figures: Marcus Aurelius. His life and this book are a clear guide for those facing adversity, seeking tranquility and pursuing excellence.” —Ryan Holiday, bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way and The Daily Stoic The life-changing principles of Stoicism taught through the story of its most famous proponent. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was the last famous Stoic philosopher of the ancient world. The Meditations, his personal journal, survives to this day as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, cognitive psychotherapist Donald Robertson weaves the life and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius together seamlessly to provide a compelling modern-day guide to the Stoic wisdom followed by countless individuals throughout the centuries as a path to achieving greater fulfillment and emotional resilience. How to Think Like a Roman Emperor takes readers on a transformative journey along with Marcus, following his progress from a young noble at the court of Hadrian—taken under the wing of some of the finest philosophers of his day—through to his reign as emperor of Rome at the height of its power. Robertson shows how Marcus used philosophical doctrines and therapeutic practices to build emotional resilience and endure tremendous adversity, and guides readers through applying the same methods to their own lives. Combining remarkable stories from Marcus’s life with insights from modern psychology and the enduring wisdom of his philosophy, How to Think Like a Roman Emperor puts a human face on Stoicism and offers a timeless and essential guide to handling the ethical and psychological challenges we face today.

Table of Contents

Title Page Dedication Introduction

1. The Dead Emperor The Story of Stoicism
2. The Most Truthful Child in Rome How to Speak Wisely
3. Contemplating the Sage How to Follow Your Values
4. The Choice of Hercules How to Conquer Desire
5. Grasping the Nettle How to Tolerate Pain
6. The Inner Citadel and War of Many Nations How to Relinquish Fear
7. Temporary Madness How to Conquer Anger
8. Death and the View from Above Acknowledgments Notes Bibliography Index

Highlights

p70 Words affect others, but more importantly, words chance / influence ourselves. Strong (expressed) emotions are a result of what happens around us, but the expressing of those emotions also feeds into those same emotions, thus strengthening them. Very unstoic.

P76 ”Treat events like a sparring partner in the gym” … Marcus called it separating value judgment from external events. Epicurus: “It’s not the thing that upset us but our judgement about things”