The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus is one of the most important books of meditations and maxims ever written. It is doubtful that Marcus Aurelius Antoninus ever intended for this book to be published. Thus the reader will find that the wisdom expressed within these pages are free of pretense and utterly honest. Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was born on April 26, A.D. 121. His real name was M. Annius Verus, and he was sprung of a noble family which claimed descent from Numa, second King of Rome.