Even though he was never raised as a soldier and preferred to engage in philosophy rather than warfare, emperor Marcus Aurelius fought a great number of battles. As leader of the Roman Empire alongside his adoptive brother Lucius Verus, the Stoic emperor was confronted by threats from the Parthians, the Marcomanni, and others.

Theme: The Reluctant Warrior

• Robert Heiligers, "Historical introduction"
• Eugenia Russel, "Marcus Aurelius and the Meditations" (Source)
• Simon MacDowell, "Fighting the barbarian threat"
• Murray Dahm, "Lucius Verus' Parthian campaigns, 162-165"
• Christian Koepfer, "Marcomannic Wars"
• Sidney E. Dean, "The invasion of Italy"
• Michael Taylor, "The Column of Marcus Aurelius"

• Vincent van der Veen, "Gambling among the troops"
• Greg Aldrete, "Reconstructing and testing ancient linen body armour" (Special)
• Duncan B. Campbell, "Alexander's wall" (Debate)