Marcus Aurelius' Meditations: A Conversation with Translator Aaron Poochigian (Ad Navseam, Episode 215)

About this episode

Jeff and Dave discuss Marcus Aurelius' Meditations with translator Aaron Poochigian, exploring themes of Stoicism and wisdom.

"There are the life events that have been apportioned to you. Live in harmony with them. There are the people whose destiny is to live at the same time as you. Love them. (Make sure you really feel it.)" (Meditations 6.39) This week Jeff and Dave sit down with Aaron Poochigian – experienced translator, poet, and all-around Classics enthusiast – to discuss his new translation from W.W. Norton of the Meditations (ad se ipsum) of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180). Stoicism is on the menu, as well as great nuggets of advice like "don't let yourself be Caesarified. It can happen". And, "be careful not to wear royal attire at home". What can Marcus, who never intended his private ruminations to be published, teach us about suffering, wisdom, fear of death, and more? Tune in to hear from this fascinating author, transmitted through an equally fascinating interpreter.

People in this episode

Hosts: Jeff, Dave

Guest: Aaron Poochigian

Topics covered

• Stoicism
• translation
• philosophy
• wisdom
• suffering

Keywords

• Marcus Aurelius
• Meditations
• Stoicism
• Aaron Poochigian
• philosophy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: W.W. Norton

Books & works: Meditations

More episodes of Ad Navseam

• Mass Crucifixion of the House of Lucius Pedanius Secundus (Ad Navseam, Gurgle 9) · June 9, 2026 · 22 min
• Homer's Odyssey Three Ways: Recent Translations by Anthony Verity, Emily Wilson, and Peter Green (Gurgle 8) · June 2, 2026 · 30 min
• H.I. Marrou’s A History of Education in Antiquity, Part XXII (Ad Navseam, Episode 221) · May 28, 2026 · 1h 9m
• Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight: Miles Gloriosus, Part II (Ad Navseam, Episode 220) · May 19, 2026 · 1h 2m
• The Plautus Thickens: Miles Gloriosus, Part I (Ad Navseam, Episode 219) · May 12, 2026 · 1h 3m
• Living with OCD: The Oxford Classical Dictionary for the Autodidact (Ad Navseam, Episode 218) · May 5, 2026 · 1h 13m