This episode explores the crucial role of the 'ab epistulis'—the imperial secretaries who managed Marcus Aurelius's vast correspondence. While the emperor is often depicted as a solitary philosopher, he relied on a network of literate, loyal officials to govern an empire. We focus on two key figures: the equestrian Tarrutenius Paternus, who rose to become praetorian prefect and authored a military manual, and the freedman Chariton, a Greek scholar who helped draft Greek letters. The discussion reveals how Stoic principles of duty and delegation shaped imperial administration, and how these secretaries influenced policy during the Marcomannic Wars. We also consider the precariousness of their position: when a secretary failed, the consequences could be fatal. This episode sheds light on the unsung intellectuals who made Marcus's reign possible, highlighting the intersection of philosophy, bureaucracy, and power in the Roman Empire.

#MarcusAurelius #abEpistulis #RomanBureaucracy #TarruteniusPaternus #Chariton #Stoicism #MarcomannicWars #PraetorianPrefect #RomanEmpire #ImperialSecretary #GreekCorrespondence #LatinCorrespondence #Equestrians #Freedmen #SecondSophistic #Meditations #FexingoHistory #History

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