How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson Summary

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson blends historical biography, Stoic philosophy, and modern psychology. It explores Marcus Aurelius’s life to teach resilience, emotional mastery, and decision-making through Stoic principles and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques. The book provides actionable exercises to apply ancient wisdom to modern challenges, making it both a historical deep dive and a practical self-help guide.

This book suits history enthusiasts, Stoicism learners, and self-improvement seekers. It’s ideal for readers interested in connecting ancient philosophy with modern psychology, particularly CBT. Fans of Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations will gain deeper context, while therapists and coaches can leverage its practical frameworks for client resilience-building.

Donald Robertson is a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and Stoicism expert with over 20 years of experience. He’s authored multiple books merging ancient philosophy with modern therapy, including Stoicism and the Art of Happiness. A founder of Modern Stoicism, Robertson is recognized for making complex psychological concepts accessible.

Yes, for its unique blend of biography, philosophy, and actionable advice. It offers fresh insights into Marcus Aurelius’s life while providing tools to manage stress, anger, and desire. Reviews highlight its engaging narrative and relevance to modern personal development.

The book teaches mindfulness, negative visualization, and cognitive reframing. For example, Robertson explains Marcus’s “view from above” meditation to gain perspective on problems. These practices are tied to CBT techniques like disputing irrational thoughts, bridging ancient and modern mental health strategies.

Robertson draws direct parallels between Stoic exercises and CBT’s core principles, such as identifying cognitive distortions. He shows how Marcus Aurelius’s journaling in Meditations mirrors CBT’s thought-record exercises, emphasizing both philosophies’ focus on controllables and rational thinking.

Key lessons include embracing adversity as growth, practicing voluntary discomfort to build resilience, and focusing on ethical actions over outcomes. Robertson highlights Marcus’s mantra: “You have power over your mind—not outside events.”

Yes, it offers exercises like premeditation of adversity, journaling prompts, and role-model visualization. One technique involves writing down role models’ virtues to guide decisions, mirroring Marcus’s use of historical figures for moral inspiration.

Robertson details Marcus’s methods: pausing before reacting, analyzing anger’s root causes, and reframing threats as challenges. The “Stoic pause” technique—taking deep breaths to regain composure—is presented as a tool for modern readers.

Some critics note the dense historical sections may overwhelm self-help readers. However, most praise its seamless integration of biography and philosophy, with minor critiques about repetitive CBT-Stoicism comparisons.

It provides historical context for Meditations, explaining how Marcus’s life events shaped his writings. Readers gain frameworks to interpret passages, making it a valuable companion for first-time and returning Meditations readers.

Yes, through practices like voluntary discomfort (e.g., fasting or cold exposure) and cognitive reframing of obstacles. Robertson ties these to modern resilience research, showing how Stoic habits reduce anxiety and improve emotional flexibility.

It addresses universal struggles: uncertainty, stress, and emotional regulation. By linking Stoicism to evidence-based CBT, Robertson makes ancient techniques applicable to modern work, relationships, and personal growth challenges.