The Bust of Marcus Aurelius

In the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art there is a bust of the great Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The emperor most well remembered as the great philosopher king who wrote the Stoic philosophy novel Meditations. The bust at the Metropolitan excellently reflects the Roman ideas on discipline and modesty. Really giving us a glimpse into the values held sacred in ancient Rome.

Marcus Aurelius was remembered as one of Rome's great emperors and in modern times he is seen as the blueprint for the ideal ruler. This is why the expression the bust demonstrates discipline that only an incredible leader could possess. After all it was Marcus Aurelius who wrote “Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” In the bust we see that same Stoic ideology reflected in his expression of discipline.

Another Roman ideal that can be observed in this bust at the Metropolitan is modesty. Although Marcus Aurelius was an incredible leader, he always remained modest in his worldview. The way the bust is sculpted shows an expression of being content with one's abilities. It is astounding to think of those in ancient Rome who looked at such a bust and what values they attributed to it.

Both ideals of discipline and modesty perfectly balance each other in this work of art. Within the modest expression there is one of discipline. Just like how the expression of discipline shows an underlying look of modesty. Truly making the bust a great representation for Roman ideals.

Modesty and discipline were two values held sacred by the Romans. These two ideals are perfectly represented in the bust of Emperor Marcus Aurelius in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. The ideals represented in the piece truly teach us about what the ancient Romans held sacred.