O SONHO DOS OMBROS DE MARFIM: MARCO AURÉLIO FRENTE À MISSÃO DO GOVERNAR ROMA.

I analyse two versions that have come down to us of Marcus Aurelius' dream before he was appointed as Antoninus Pius' successor, a dream in which Marcus has ivory shoulders. I examine the dream metaphorically and proceed to a summary of Marcus's life, from his childhood to the empire, ending by understanding the dream as a dreamlike prescription about what attitude would be favourable to Marcus at the helm of Rome, as well as an anticipation of his capacity to endure great challenges during his rule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]