Historically, Marcus tested these ideals amid scarcity and fear. During the Antonine plague and frontier wars, ancient sources report he auctioned palace treasures to fund relief and defense (Historia Augusta, Marcus 17), composing parts of Meditations while on campaign. Such choices—divestment, service, and discipline under pressure—illustrate that the inner citadel is tempered by crisis; it is action under constraint, not comfort, that proves its walls. [...]
