{"product_id":"marius-the-epicurean-walter-pater-9798897185443","title":"Marius the Epicurean","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMarius the Epicurean\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e (1885) by \u003cstrong\u003eWalter Pater\u003c\/strong\u003e is a philosophical and semi-autobiographical novel set in the Roman Empire during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. It follows the intellectual and spiritual journey of \u003cstrong\u003eMarius\u003c\/strong\u003e, a sensitive and thoughtful young Roman who seeks meaning in life through art, philosophy, and religion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInitially drawn to \u003cstrong\u003eEpicureanism\u003c\/strong\u003e, Marius pursues beauty and personal serenity as guiding principles. However, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with its limitations. Over time, he explores \u003cstrong\u003eStoicism\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ePlatonism\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eearly Christianity\u003c\/strong\u003e, all while observing the decline of pagan Rome and the stirrings of a new spiritual world.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe novel is less about plot and more about \u003cstrong\u003einner transformation\u003c\/strong\u003e-a meditation on how one might live a good and beautiful life. Ultimately, Marius does not convert to Christianity but comes to admire its ideals, dying quietly in pursuit of a moral, reflective, and compassionate life.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePater's richly aesthetic style and emphasis on \u003cstrong\u003esensibility, moral choice, and the soul's development\u003c\/strong\u003e make this a landmark work in English Decadent literature. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Walter Pater\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798897185443\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Lushena Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/23\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 274\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.95lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.74d","brand":"Walter Pater","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48487394935039,"sku":"9798897185443","price":28.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_eb25db85-4da8-4a1a-82b3-55034572fb33.jpg?v=1778060244","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/marius-the-epicurean-walter-pater-9798897185443","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}