MindsetProdigy

Highly recommended

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor

The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

by Donald Robertson

A psychotherapist combines the life of Marcus Aurelius with Stoic techniques and modern CBT.

  • Published 2019
  • Moderate
  • Philosophy and ideas
  • 1 min analysis
See it on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Introduction

Donald Robertson, a cognitive behavioural psychotherapist, published How to Think Like a Roman Emperor in 2019. He tells the story of Marcus Aurelius's life and shows how Stoic philosophy influenced modern therapy.

Each chapter combines biography with practical Stoic techniques.

Who should read this book?

Readers interested in Stoicism and practical psychology.

Helps with: Calm stress and anxiety, Think and decide more clearly

The central message

Stoic philosophy offers practical techniques for managing emotions, anger, worry and pain, many of which align with modern CBT.

Key ideas and concepts

  1. Stoic values

    Wisdom, justice, courage and moderation.

  2. Cognitive distancing

    Separate events from your judgments about them.

  3. Decatastrophizing

    Imagine the worst calmly.

  4. The view from above

    See your life in a larger perspective.

  5. Stoic resilience

    Facing pain and death with calm.

Deeper analysis

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor is engaging and practical, connecting ancient philosophy to modern therapy. It's one of the best introductions to applied Stoicism.

The mix of biography and technique may feel uneven, and some readers want more depth on either. It's an excellent bridge between philosophy and practice.

Practical applications

  • Separate events from your judgments.
  • Practise the view from above.
  • Imagine a feared scenario calmly.
  • Write a Stoic reflection.
  • Practise one virtue.

Your 7-day action plan

  1. Day 1

    Learn Stoic values.

  2. Day 2

    Practise distancing.

  3. Day 3

    Decatastrophize.

  4. Day 4

    View from above.

  5. Day 5

    Practise a virtue.

  6. Day 6

    Write a reflection.

  7. Day 7

    Reflect.

Outcomes to expect

What readers who apply this book can realistically take away from it:

  • Emotional resilience
  • Stoic skills
  • Calm
  • Perspective

Strengths and limitations

Strengths

  • Practical
  • Engaging biography
  • Links to CBT
  • Accessible

Limitations

  • Uneven mix
  • Depth varies
  • Long

Reflection questions

  1. What judgment are you adding?
  2. What would the view from above show?
  3. What virtue do you need?
  4. What do you fear?

About the author

Donald Robertson

Psychotherapist; author of How to Think Like a Roman Emperor.

Full profile and books

Explore the book

Read reviews, see formats (print, Kindle, audiobook) and check the current price.

See it on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Book details (title, author, year) are factual. Everything under the headings above is MindsetProdigy's own editorial analysis and interpretation, written to help you decide whether to read the book and how to apply it. It is not a substitute for reading the book itself. Last updated October 2, 2026.