How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

A book that combines a life of Marcus Aurelius with practical psychology, written by a cognitive-behavioural therapist who has long studied Stoicism. Robertson follows Marcus from his upbringing and education under Stoic teachers such as Junius Rusticus, who introduced him to the teachings of Epictetus, through his years as emperor, the Antonine plague and the wars on the Danube frontier, to his death in 180 CE. Each chapter pairs episodes from the life with Stoic techniques and their counterparts in modern cognitive behavioural therapy. Topics include speaking and thinking with precision, living by one's values, taming unhealthy desires, tolerating pain and illness, coping with worry and anxiety, managing anger, and facing death. Robertson explains Stoic ideas such as the dichotomy of control, cognitive distancing, the view from above and contemplating impermanence, and notes that the founders of cognitive therapy, Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck, acknowledged the influence of the Stoics.

It shows how Stoic exercises work in practice, linking Marcus's Meditations to techniques therapists use today for anxiety, anger and grief.