Donald J. Robertson·PinnedReviews of Verissimus, our Graphic NovelThe initial reviews are in! Our new graphic novel, Verissimus the Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, currently has 4.7 stars on Amazon US (but 4.9 in my home of Canada!), 4.2 stars on Goodreads, and was chosen as Amazon Editor’s pick for Best History Book in July. You can read…Stoicism2 min readStoicism2 min read
Donald J. Robertson·Jan 20, 2024Win a copy of “Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor”Enter the free Goodreads Giveaway organized by Yale University Press — My publisher, Yale University Press, just told me that they’ve created a special Goodreads Giveaway for my forthcoming biography, Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor. The have generously agreed to give away 25 free advance review copies of the book. (NB: This offer is only available currently in the US.) Some…Stoicism2 min readStoicism2 min read
Donald J. Robertson·Jan 8, 2024Member-onlyWas Marcus Aurelius Murdered?Considering the claim that Commodus had the Stoic emperor killed In the first act of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000), Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor famous for being a Stoic philosopher, is portrayed by the actor Richard Harris. In the movie, Marcus is shown being smothered to death by his son…Stoicism7 min readStoicism7 min read
What Is Stoicism?·Oct 29, 2023Member-onlyHow a Stoic Becomes a SaintWe exist to behave decently in an indecent society — Becoming a Saint If you’re familiar with the work of Kurt Vonnegut, you’ll know he had a wonderful knack for crafting beauty out of very simple words. He did this not just in his books, but also when giving talks (this one is my favorite) and recounting conversations. Another source of this beauty…Stoicism5 min readStoicism5 min read
Donald J. Robertson·Oct 18, 2023Announcing “Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor”Get my new philosophical biography of the Roman Emperor from Yale University Press — It’s finally here! I can now announce my latest book, a philosophical biography called Marcus Aurelius: The Stoic Emperor, part of the Yale University Press Ancient Lives series. When the series editor, James Romm, contacted me I was very pleased because although there are already several excellent biographies of Marcus…Stoicism4 min readStoicism4 min read
Bringing them the plague·Oct 13, 2023Member-onlyChristopher Gill talks on Learning to Live Naturally: Stoic Ethics and its Modern SignificanceAn interview with A. Pr. Matt Sharpe, ACU — Christopher Gill’s new book, Learning to Live Naturally: Stoic Ethics and its Modern Significance (2023) is arguably the most important book on Stoic ethics which has been written in some time. …Stoicism9 min readStoicism9 min read
Donald J. Robertson·Jul 29, 2023Member-onlyEpictetus on NeroWhat the Stoic philosopher actually said about the notorious Roman emperor — Epictetus, the great teacher, played his part in changing the leadership of Rome from the swill he had known in the Nero White House to the power and decency it knew under Marcus Aurelius. — Stockdale, Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot The Emperor Nero was, it’s fair to say…Stoicism11 min readStoicism11 min read
A Stoic Perspective·Jul 17, 2023Member-onlyFreemasonry: the masonic lodge of Stoicism (le Portique), a little-known storyIn 1910, the French freemason Albert Lantoine created the lodge “le Portique”, in homage to the founder of Stoicism, Zeno. According to its website À l’ombre du Portique, the lodge was still active in 2012. It appears to have ceased activity since then. How was Stoicism understood and practiced by…Philosophy12 min readPhilosophy12 min read
A Stoic Perspective·Jun 9, 2023Member-onlyWhat does the city of the Stoic sages look like? Deciphering Zeno’s RepublicIn Zeno’s Stoic Republic (Politeia), there are no temples, currency, or courts, and both incest and the eating of human flesh are permitted. At first glance, the city of the Stoic sages may surprise, astonish and scandalize. However, there is indeed a link between the theory of Stoicism and the…Stoicism19 min readStoicism19 min read
A Stoic Perspective·May 2, 2023Member-only#1 Stoic practice: what is up to me and what is notThis series of articles is my feedback on A Handbook for New Stoics, a book on the practice of Stoicism, by Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez. For one year, every week, I will experience the Stoic practices proposed by the handbook and I will share with you my weekly review…Philosophy2 min readPhilosophy2 min read