# Meditations — Character guide

> Key figures in Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.

- [Marcus Aurelius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/marcus_aurelius.md): Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher, author of the Meditations.
- [Claudius Maximus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/maximus.md): Stoic philosopher and mentor to Marcus Aurelius.
- [Antoninus Pius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/antoninus_pius.md): Roman emperor and adoptive father of Marcus Aurelius.
- [Socrates](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/socrates.md): Classical Greek philosopher frequently cited as a model of virtue.
- [Epictetus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/epictetus.md): Stoic philosopher whose teachings heavily influence Marcus.
- [Junius Rusticus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/rusticus.md): Stoic philosopher and teacher of Marcus Aurelius.
- [Alexander the Great](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/alexander_the_great.md): Macedonian king and conqueror, used as an example of mortality.
- [Plato](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/plato.md): Greek philosopher, founder of the Academy, cited occasionally.
- [Augustus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/augustus.md): First Roman emperor, referenced as a historical figure.
- [Hadrian](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/hadrian.md): Roman emperor and predecessor of Antoninus Pius.
- [Euripides](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/euripides.md): Greek tragedian, quoted in the Meditations.
- [Heraclitus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/heraclitus.md): Pre-Socratic philosopher known for his doctrine of change.
- [Xenophon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/xenophon.md): Greek historian and philosopher, student of Socrates.
- [Plutarch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/plutarch.md): Greek biographer and essayist, referenced for moral examples.
- [Marcus Cornelius Fronto](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/fronto.md): Rhetorician and tutor to Marcus Aurelius.
- [Diognetus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/diognetus.md): Painter and philosopher who taught Marcus Aurelius.
- [Annius Verus](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/verus.md): Marcus Aurelius' biological father or grandfather.
- [Apollonius of Chalcis](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/apollonius.md): Stoic philosopher who taught Marcus Aurelius.
- [Caius Caesar](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/caius_caesar.md): Roman emperor, possibly Caligula, mentioned as a negative example.
- [Cicero](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/cicero.md): Roman statesman and orator, quoted occasionally.
- [Sertorius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/sertorius.md): Roman general and rebel, used as a historical example.
- [Dion Cassius](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters/dion.md): Roman historian, referenced for historical anecdotes.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/meditations_se/characters