On Stoic philosophy, Marcus Aurelius, and living wisely through a pandemic
Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was a Roman emperor and late Stoic philosopher. In Stoicism he was preceded by Zeno of Citium, Diogenes of Babylon, and Seneca. He was born in April 121 and was emperor from 161 until his death on March 17th 180 AD. He was the last emperor of the Pax Romana.
Here is a straightforward core belief of Stoicism that informs the philosophy that guided Marcus Aurelius during uncertain times:
Philosophy does not promise to secure anything external for man, otherwise it would be admitting something that lies beyond its proper subject-matter. For as the material of the carpenter is wood, and that of statuary bronze, so the subject-matter of the art of living is each person's own life.
— Epictetus, Discourses 1.15.2 - Source
The Antonine Plague was a pandemic that broke out during the majority of his reign from 165-180 AD. During the time, Marcus Aurelius was also fighting bellum Germanicum et Sarmaticum, or The Marcomannic Wars. The plague may have claimed the life of Lucius Verus, co-emperor and adoptive brother of Marcus Aurelius.
Marcus Aurelius wrote a journal for himself throughout these years. It was eventually published as Meditations.
He wrote about morality, self-improvement, and Stoicism, providing a useful perspective on living and leading during a pandemic such as what the world is living through in 2020 (though different in terms of the specific epidemiology).
Even though the health crisis itself was not scientifically understood at the time, his understanding and moral clarity on living exceeds modern standards. From Book I:
From my grandfather Verus: decency and a mild temper
From what they say and I remember of my natural father: integrity and manliness
From my mother: piety, generosity, the avoidance of wrongdoing and even the thought of it; also simplicity of living, well clear of the habits of the rich
From my tutor: ...to tolerate pain and feel few needs; to work with my own hands and mind my own business; to be deaf to malicious gossip
From Rusticus: to grasp the idea of wanting correction and treatment for my character...to read carefully, not satisfied with my own superficial thoughts or quick to accept the facile views of others…
From Apollonius: ...to be always the same man, unchanged in sudden pain, in the loss of a child, in linger sickness; to see clearly in his living example that a man can combine intensity and relaxation
From Sextus: ...the concept of a life lived according to nature...certainty of grasp and method in the discovery and organization of the essential principles of life; never to give the impression of anger or any other passion, but to combine complete freedom from passion with the greater human affection
From Severus: ...a commonwealth based on equality and freedom of speech…
From Maximus: self-mastery, immune to any passing whim; good cheer in all circumstances, including illness