A young boy, out of nowhere, is chosen to be the emperor of most of the known world. What he learned, what he did, who he was, would echo in eternity.

In the year 138 CE, Hadrian, the emperor of Rome, chose Marcus Aurelius to succeed him. He knew no one was born ready for the job, so he arranged for the young boy’s education.

The greatest philosophers of the day were assigned to teach him, and all threw themselves at the almost inhuman task of preparing someone for absolute power.

It’s a parable for life, really. The gods, fate, someone chooses something for us, calls us to something. Will we answer? Will we step up? Will we achieve the greatness within us?

Marcus Aurelius did. Absolute power not only didn’t corrupt, it made him better. We marvel at him centuries later—this man who thought he would not be remembered, that posthumous fame was worthless—stands today more famous than ever. A hero to millions.

And now, that parable has been illustrated and told for all ages in a new book: The Boy Who Would Be King.

This 100-page book is written by bestselling author Ryan Holiday and illustrated by the illustrious Victor Juhasz. Each page tells the story of Marcus’s rise to power through Ryan’s words and Victor’s illustrations.