Rhetoric and Spiritual Exercises in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations

Abstract

The traditional view that the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius were devoid of rhetoric and literary beauty has been recently questioned by a number of scholars. It is now believed that even though the Emperor probably never had in mind the publication of his hupomnemata, he consciously used the art of rhetoric in his work. The purpose of this was to enhance the effect of spiritual exercises which are at the heart of the Meditations. The article demonstrates the use of some rhetorical devices in the work, such as enumerations, fictitious dialogues, the use of diminutives and superlatives, and their spiritual purpose.