Look at today's date. Whatever it is — the month, the day, the year — every element of it was shaped by decisions made in ancient Rome. Not influenced by Rome. Not inspired by Rome. Directly, mechanically determined by specific decisions made by spe...

There is a moment early in the Meditations — that private journal Marcus Aurelius never intended anyone to read — where he writes a list of things he is grateful for. He thanks his grandfather for teaching him to be gentle. His father for humility. ...