How a Roman Emperor Came to Speak Kazakh

This year, AmalBooks released its debut publication, Ozinmen angime, a Kazakh translation of the writings of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The launch event was covered by an Orda.kz journalist, who attended the book’s presentation.

Designed for self-reflection and personal insight, the book invites readers to explore their inner world and find ways to navigate life’s challenges.

The event opened with literary scholar Tilek Rysbek, who highlighted the evolution of Kazakh book publishing and the significance of this translation:

Kazakhstan is entering a golden age of book publishing. This new addition enriches Kazakh literature and marks a critical moment for our philosophy and culture. Until recently, finding philosophical works in Kazakh was extremely difficult. Despite being an emperor, Marcus Aurelius lived modestly—selling valuables in times of crisis to support his people and even exempting citizens from taxes. He remained true to the principles of humanity. 

Asset Abayuly, a professor at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University’s Faculty of Philosophy and Political Science, also spoke, emphasizing the rarity of philosophical texts in the Kazakh language.

Original Article