Gilded wooden bust from the second half of the 17th century depicting Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor, writer, and philosopher. He was emperor from 161 to his death in 180, considered an "enlightened ruler," the fifth and last of the so-called "good emperors," despite his reign being plagued by wars, famines, and plagues. Marcus Aurelius was also remembered as an important historical philosopher, author of "Conversations with Himself." Dimensions with base: 50x68 Dimensions without base: 50x55 Base diameter: 15