In this engaging reading activity, students dive into the reign of Marcus Aurelius and grapple with how one of Rome’s most respected emperors balanced crisis management, military conflict, and Stoic philosophy, while also making a succession choice that reshaped the empire’s future.

What’s Included
1 structured reading worksheet based on the History Skills article on Marcus Aurelius
18 student questions, including:

• Comprehension questions focused on key events of his reign
• Analysis questions on the Antonine Plague and Germanic wars
• Critical thinking questions evaluating Stoic philosophy in leadership
• An evaluative question examining the consequences of appointing Commodus as successor

Benefits for Teachers and Students

• Saves prep time with ready-to-use, standards-aligned questions
• Encourages close reading and historical thinking skills
• Helps students connect philosophy to real-world decision-making
• Promotes discussion and written analysis of leadership, legacy, and cause-and-effect
• Works well for independent work, homework, or guided classroom discussion

Curriculum Fit

• Ancient Rome and Classical Civilizations
• World History and Western Civilization
• Roman Emperors and Imperial Government
• Philosophy in History (Stoicism)
• Leadership, continuity, and decline