Marcus Aurelius in Carnuntum: an Emperor between War and Philosophy

Emperor Marcus Aurelius - in and around Carnuntum you will come across the name of this important Roman ruler time and again, whether in the form of statues and monuments, or in the names of inns, streets or even barracks. As a Roman statesman and philosopher, Marcus Aurelius spent a significant part of his reign on military campaigns on the borders of the empire. His connection to Carnuntum was particularly influential: he set up his headquarters here during the Marcomannic Wars between 166 and 180 AD and wrote central parts of his philosophical work “Self-Considerations”.

Marcus Aurelius was born Marcus Annius Catilius Severus in Rome on April 26, 121 AD. His family belonged to a wealthy and influential senatorial elite of Hispanic origin. He was sponsored by Emperor Hadrian at an early age and later adopted by Antoninus Pius, making him heir to the throne - a common occurrence at this time of “adoptive emperorship”. He ascended the imperial throne in 161 AD, but ruled in the form of a dual sovereignty together with his adoptive brother Lucius Verus. After the death of his co-regent in 169 AD, possibly from the so-called Antonine Plague, he ruled alone. Marcus Aurelius' reign was characterized by numerous military conflicts, in particular the aforementioned Marcomannic Wars, which tied him to the northern border of the empire - above all Carnuntum - for years. The Marcomanni were a Germanic tribe of Suebi who settled in Bohemia under King Marbod around 9 BC and repeatedly came into conflict with Rome.

Parallel to the numerous military campaigns, Marcus Aurelius campaigned for more “humane” legislation and left behind important philosophical writings in his “Self-Considerations”. After years of intense military conflict, Marcus Aurelius left Carnuntum, already weakened in health. Although he succeeded in pushing back his enemies, his plans for the permanent expansion of Roman rule north of the Danube were thwarted by his death. He died in 180 AD either in Vindobona/Vienna or in Sirmium/Sremska Mitrovica in present-day Serbia, like his co-regent Lucius Verus, possibly as a result of the “Antonine Plague” raging in the empire. His death marked the end of the era of the adoptive emperors, as his natural son Commodus succeeded him as direct heir.

Portrait of Marcus Aurelius - © Römerstadt Carnuntum (Photo: T. Mauerhofer)

Carnuntum was already an important legionary base and trading center in the middle of the 2nd century AD. Due to its strategically favorable location, it served as an ideal base for the Roman counter-offensive against the Germanic Marcomanni and Quads who invaded the empire in 166/167 AD. After these tribes had overrun Roman territory, Marcus Aurelius personally went to the front in 171 AD. He used Carnuntum as a military center to organize the defence of the Roman northern border and to coordinate the counterattacks. He spent three years here and directed Roman military operations from this strategic position.

In addition to its military role, Carnuntum also became a place of intellectual reflection. During his time in the camp, Marcus Aurelius wrote the second book of his “Self-reflections”, which belong to the ancient Greek philosophical school of Stoicism - today one of the most important surviving writings of antiquity. The thoughts, written in Greek, show him as a ruler pondering morality, duty and human nature in the midst of war. The location “in Carnuntum” at the end of this book makes it clear that he worked here not only as a general, but also as a philosopher.

One particularly famous event from the Marcomannic Wars that is associated with Marcus Aurelius is the so-called miracle of the rain. Ancient sources report that Roman soldiers were trapped by enemy troops and cut off from supplies during a battle in the land of the Quades on the other side of the Danube. In dire straits, a sudden downpour saved the Romans from dying of thirst and helped them to victory. This event is depicted in a relief on the Marcus Aurelius Column in Rome: A bearded man with outstretched arms gives water to the exhausted soldiers below him. The interpretation of the miracle was controversial - while pagan authors saw it as a sign of divine benevolence towards Marcus Aurelius, Christian sources regarded it as an answer to the prayers of Christian soldiers. The event illustrates the religious diversity and the growing importance of Christianity in the Roman army. Researchers therefore discuss the miracle of the rain as one of the earliest indications of the presence of Christians in the Austrian region.

Denar of Marcus Aurelius - © Niederösterreichische Landessammlungen

Marcus Aurelius' presence in Carnuntum also reinforced its importance as a religious center. As a “philosopher on the imperial throne”, he was confronted with numerous religious questions. While he strengthened the cult of traditional Roman deities, he also showed an interest in oriental cults, particularly that of the Egyptian god Serapis. Traces of his family can also be found in Carnuntum: his wife Faustina the Younger traveled to the front with her son Commodus and his wife. Her valet Hyacintus died here, as a grave inscription attests. Faustina herself was revered by the troops as the “mater castrorum” (mother of the camp), which underlines her prominent position. Her role as mother is probably symbolic and refers to the army camps as the soldiers' “home”.

Carnuntum's importance as an imperial residence continued after the death of Marcus Aurelius - later rulers, including the Severans, continued to use the city as a base. Even today, archaeological finds, inscriptions and buildings bear witness to the central role Carnuntum played in Roman history and Marcus Aurelius in particular remains unforgotten as the “philosopher emperor”. In Carnuntum, his military actions were combined with his philosophical thinking - a place where the warlord reflected on the transience of power and the endurance of virtue. Today, his bust adorns one of the columns in front of the entrance to the Museum Carnuntinum - where he still personally welcomes all visitors to this day.

Statue des Marcus Aurelius in Bad Deutsch Altenburg - © Römerstadt Carnuntum (Photo: T. Mauerhofer)

There is a special opportunity for all Marcus Aurelius enthusiasts this year: the state exhibition “Marcus Aurelius” is taking place in the Rheinisches Landesmuseum Trier from 15.06. - 23.11.2025 - including some exhibits from Carnuntum!

Further Reading: 

M. Kandler, Marc Aurel und Carnuntum, in: F. Humer (Hrsg.), Marc Aurel und Carnuntum. Ausstellungskatalog Bad Deutsch-Altenburg (St. Pölten 2004), 39–52.