In the ancient world, the burial of a great leader was a significant event. It was a way to honor their legacy and ensure their memory lived on.
One such leader was Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor and Stoic philosopher who ruled from 161 to 180 AD. After his death, his ashes were laid to rest in a grand mausoleum in Rome, where they remained for centuries.
But where exactly is this tomb located? In this article, we’ll explore the history of Marcus Aurelius’ burial and uncover the location of his final resting place.
Where Is Marcus Aurelius Buried
Marcus Aurelius was buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian, also known as the Castel Sant’Angelo, in Rome. This grand tomb was built by Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius’ predecessor, and completed by Antoninus Pius, his adoptive father and successor.
The Mausoleum of Hadrian was a massive structure that housed the cinerary urns of several Roman emperors, including Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Lucius Verus, Septimius Severus, and Marcus Aurelius himself. It was one of the largest tombs in the ancient world and a testament to the power and prestige of the Roman Empire.
After the sack of Rome by Alaric and the Visigoths in 410 AD, the Mausoleum of Hadrian fell into disrepair. It was later incorporated into the city’s defenses by Aurelian in 271 AD and turned into a fortress. The tomb remained in this state for centuries until it was eventually converted into a museum in the 14th century.
Today, visitors can still see the grandeur of the Mausoleum of Hadrian and pay their respects to Marcus Aurelius and other Roman emperors who are buried there. The tomb is located on the banks of the Tiber River and is easily accessible to tourists who want to explore Rome’s rich history.
The Life And Legacy Of Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor who lived during the Empire’s golden age, which began with Nerva assuming power in 96 and ended with Marcus’ death in 180. He spent most of his twenty-year reign waging war and ensuring a smooth imperial succession. Despite being born into power and aristocracy, he remained a virtuous Stoic until his last breath. He is also one of the world’s most well-known, and the last of the ancient, Stoics.
Marcus Aurelius is best known for his book “Meditations,” which he wrote in the environs of a military camp. It is a collection of personal writings in which he reflects on his own Stoic philosophy and gives advice on how to live a virtuous life. The book is replete with impeccable, timeless lessons that continue to inspire people today.
Marcus Aurelius was buried in the Mausoleum of Hadrian, which was built by Hadrian, his predecessor, and completed by Antoninus Pius, his adoptive father and successor. The tomb housed the cinerary urns of several Roman emperors, including Marcus Aurelius himself. Today, visitors can still see the grandeur of the Mausoleum of Hadrian and pay their respects to Marcus Aurelius and other Roman emperors who are buried there.
Marcus Aurelius’s life is evidence that power does not necessarily make a man cold-blooded and evil. He is remembered fondly as The Philosopher King, and his legacy continues to inspire people around the world to live virtuous lives.
The Burial Traditions Of Ancient Rome
The burial traditions of Ancient Rome were deeply rooted in religious rituals and social norms. The Romans believed that funeral rites were necessary to separate the dead from the world of the living and to ensure that their spirits were consigned to the underworld. Funeral practices varied depending on the social status and wealth of the deceased and their family.
Elite Roman families had the opportunity to publicly celebrate the life and deeds of their deceased family members through elaborate funeral processions, public eulogies, and costly feasts, games, and entertainments. These events were also an opportunity for the political elite to maintain their public profile and reputation for generosity.
The less well-off and those without extended family support could subscribe to guilds or collegia that provided funeral services for members. However, even the simplest funerals for Rome’s citizen and free majority could be very costly relative to income. The poorest, including certain categories of criminals, could be dumped in pits or rivers or left to rot in the open air.
Inhumation and cremation were both common practices among all classes in Rome’s earliest history. However, around the mid-Republic, inhumation was almost exclusively replaced by cremation, with some notable exceptions. Cremation remained the most common funerary practice until the middle of the Empire when it was almost entirely replaced by inhumation.
During plagues and pandemics, the Roman funeral system could be completely overwhelmed, leaving those who died without benefit of funeral rites to haunt the living as vagrant, restless spirits until they could be exorcised.
Cemeteries were located outside the ritual boundaries of towns and cities, and tombs lined roadsides, sometimes clustered together like “cities of the dead.” Tombs were visited regularly by living relatives with offerings of food and wine. Families who could afford it spent lavishly on tombs and memorials, including elaborately crafted sarcophagi decorated with relief sculpture depicting allegorical, mythological, historical, or everyday life scenes.
The Grand Mausoleum Of Marcus Aurelius
The Mausoleum of Hadrian, where Marcus Aurelius was buried, was a grand structure that reflected the power and wealth of the Roman Empire. The tomb was built by Hadrian, Marcus Aurelius’ predecessor, and completed by Antoninus Pius, his adoptive father and successor.
The mausoleum was one of the largest tombs in the ancient world and housed the cinerary urns of several Roman emperors. It was located near the Tiber River and served as a testament to the grandeur of Rome’s imperial past.
Despite its size and importance, the Mausoleum of Hadrian fell into disrepair after the sack of Rome by Alaric and the Visigoths in 410 AD. It was later incorporated into the city’s defenses by Aurelian in 271 AD and turned into a fortress.
Over time, the tomb was neglected and forgotten until it was eventually converted into a museum in the 14th century. Today, visitors can still see the grandeur of the Mausoleum of Hadrian and pay their respects to Marcus Aurelius and other Roman emperors who are buried there.
While there are no surviving archaeological remains of the Temple of Marcus Aurelius, visitors to Rome can still visit the site where it once stood, just to the west of the column of Marcus Aurelius. And while looters have taken their toll on many ancient sites in Egypt, visitors can still see some of the treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
The Disappearance Of The Mausoleum
Despite its historical significance, the Mausoleum of Hadrian faced a period of disappearance and neglect. After serving as a fortress and a museum, the tomb was eventually abandoned and forgotten for centuries. It was not until the 14th century that the tomb was rediscovered and restored by Pope Nicholas III, who converted it into a castle for himself and his successors.
During the Renaissance, the castle underwent several renovations and additions, including the famous Passetto di Borgo, a secret passage that connects the Vatican with the castle. The castle also served as a prison during the 16th century and was the site of several executions.
In the 19th century, the Mausoleum of Hadrian was finally restored to its former glory and opened to the public as a museum. Today, visitors can explore the castle’s rich history and admire its impressive architecture and art collection.
Despite its tumultuous past, the Mausoleum of Hadrian remains an important landmark in Rome’s history and a testament to the power and influence of ancient Rome. Its rediscovery and restoration serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving our cultural heritage for future generations.
Rediscovering The Tomb Of Marcus Aurelius
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the life and legacy of Marcus Aurelius, particularly with the popularity of the film “Gladiator.” Italian archaeologists have made a significant discovery that sheds new light on the life of this famous Roman emperor.
In 2018, during construction work for a residential complex in Saxa Rubra, not far from the headquarters of Rai, Italy’s state-run television station, archaeologists discovered the tomb of Marcus Nonius Macrinus. Macrinus was a general and consul who achieved major victories in military campaigns for Antoninus Pius and Marcus Aurelius. He was also believed to have inspired the character of Maximus Decimus Meridius in Ridley Scott’s film.
The discovery of Macrinus’ tomb has given historians and archaeologists new insight into the lives of Roman generals and their connections to the imperial family. It also highlights the importance of preserving historical sites and artifacts for future generations.
While the tomb of Marcus Aurelius himself remains in the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the discovery of Macrinus’ tomb is a reminder of the rich history and culture that still lies buried beneath the streets of Rome. As more discoveries are made, we can continue to learn about the lives and legacies of those who shaped the ancient world.
Paying Tribute To A Great Leader
One of the ways that ancient civilizations paid tribute to their great leaders was by constructing monuments and memorials to commemorate their victories in battle. The Column of Marcus Aurelius is a prime example of such a tribute. Built in ancient Rome to celebrate the emperor’s victories over the barbarians of the northern frontier, the column stands as a testament to Marcus Aurelius’ leadership and military prowess.
The column is located in the Piazza Colonna, in the northern section of the Campus Martius. It was designed after Trajan’s Column, another famous monument in ancient Rome. The column is made of marble and stands at a height of 98 feet. It is decorated with intricate reliefs that depict scenes from Marcus Aurelius’ military campaigns, including battles, sieges, and triumphal processions.
The column was not just a tribute to Marcus Aurelius’ military achievements, but also to his leadership and character. The reliefs on the column show him as a wise and just ruler, who was respected and admired by his soldiers and subjects alike. The column was also meant to inspire future generations of Romans, reminding them of their glorious past and the greatness of their empire.
Today, visitors can still see the Column of Marcus Aurelius and marvel at its beauty and historical significance. The column is a reminder of the power and prestige of ancient Rome, as well as the leadership and military prowess of one of its greatest emperors.
