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<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-default" href="https://stoicplanet.com/user/13">SteadySage</a> on February 6, 2025, 8:19 am</div>Discussion: The Many Names of Marcus Aurelius and Their Significance
I recently completed writing my third book on Marcus Aurelius, and in the process, I came across a fascinating aspect of his life that might interest some of you—his various names and the stories behind them.
Marcus Aurelius was born as Marcus Annius Verus, named after his father and grandfather. Tragically, his father passed away when Marcus was only about four years old, leaving him to be raised by his paternal grandfather. Interestingly, one source mentions that Marcus might have been briefly called "Catilius Severus" after his maternal great-grandfather at the beginning of his life, possibly indicating that the elderly Severus adopted him temporarily after his father's death. Severus, a patron of high-priced foreign teachers, also had Herodes Atticus, one of the most renowned Sophists of the time, as a guest in his home.
As Marcus grew up, he was primarily raised by his paternal grandfather, which likely brought his name back to Marcus Annius Verus. Around the age of six, Emperor Hadrian gave him a nickname: "Verissimus" (a pun on his family name "Verus"), which roughly translates to "the truest" or "the most loyal." The reason behind this nickname is unclear, though it could be a reflection of Marcus’s straightforwardness in contrast to the often verbose Sophists. His reputation for honesty might have inspired this nickname, or it could reflect his suitability as Hadrian’s potential successor. Either way, "Verissimus" became widely known, and it was even used by the philosopher Justin Martyr when addressing Marcus later in life.
Upon being appointed Caesar, Marcus took the name Marcus Aelius Aurelius Verus Caesar, combining the family names of his adoptive grandparent (Hadrian) and father (Antoninus Pius), along with his own original family name. However, when Marcus became emperor, he took the title Imperator Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, dropping any reference to Hadrian, likely due to Hadrian’s fall from favor with the Senate. Interestingly, he also dropped his original family name, "Verus," and bestowed it upon his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, who was younger than Marcus by about ten years. This subtle shift could be interpreted as Marcus positioning Lucius as a kind of adopted son. Lucius later married Marcus’s daughter, further solidifying this familial bond.
There's a curious consequence of this name change: while Lucius was now called Verus (meaning "true"), Marcus became known as Verissimus ("most true"), which placed him in a position of superiority. This difference in their titles was likely well-known, with Lucius remaining in second place to his older adoptive brother.
It's also worth noting that Marcus is often referred to simply as "Aurelius," but this was his adoptive family name. Ancient sources, however, rarely use "Aurelius" when referring to him, and modern scholars tend to follow the convention of using his first name, "Marcus," when speaking of him as emperor. Interestingly, in some of his own writings, such as Meditations, Marcus even refers to himself as Antoninus, the name of his adoptive father. This might confuse modern readers but is a clear reflection of the Roman practice of adopting names to preserve family legacy and honor.
In addition to his names, it's intriguing to consider the people in Marcus’s life and how their names—or lack thereof—reflect their relationships. Despite being a central figure in Marcus’s education, the famous rhetorician Herodes Atticus is never mentioned by name in Meditations. Similarly, Marcus rarely mentions Hadrian, even though Hadrian was a pivotal figure in his life, choosing instead to focus on virtues in his writing.
This deep dive into the names of Marcus Aurelius and his contemporaries highlights the complexities of Roman naming conventions and what these names reveal about their personal histories, relationships, and roles in society. It also invites us to think about how the way we refer to people can tell us a lot about their place in the world, both in the past and today.
Lastly, for those interested in the Meditations, it's worth noting that the earliest surviving manuscript we have dates to the 16th century. There were centuries of copyists between Marcus’s time and that manuscript, and it’s likely that some minor changes may have crept in over time. Though there’s no evidence that large sections are altered, it does raise the question: might some parts of the Meditations not be entirely original?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the significance of Marcus’s names or any observations you have</blockquote>

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