Marcus Aurelius' Meditations — A Conversation with Translator Aaron Poochigian

What does it take to translate the most powerful private journal ever written?

In this episode I sit down with Aaron Poochigian — poet, classicist, and translator based in New York City — to discuss his remarkable new translation of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, out now from Liveright Publishing/W.W. Norton.

We go deep into the philosophy, the man, and the translation craft:

— Why Marcus wrote in Greek, not Latin — The three distinct voices hidden inside the Meditations — the Instructor, the Aspirant, and the Objector — How Stoicism actually held up against war, plague and absolute power — Memento Mori — why Marcus used death as motivation not fear — The Inner Citadel — can anything truly touch your rational mind? — Why Marcus is more relevant today than most books published last year — And the deeply personal story behind this translation

This is the most philosophically rich conversation about the Meditations you will find anywhere. Whether you are new to Marcus Aurelius or a lifelong Stoic practitioner, this interview will change how you read him.

📖 Get Aaron Poochigian’s translation of the Meditations here: https://www.amazon.com/Meditations-Marcus-Aurelius/dp/132409639X

🎓 New to Marcus Aurelius? Watch our full lecture first: https://tube.leshley.ca/w/7ANtGLzpnY3k2rKQ1pkRQT

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