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1 Biography

His uncle Antoninus Pius adopted him as a son and designated him his successor on February 25, 138, when Marcus was only seventeen years of age. Antoninus also named Lucius Verus as his successor. When Antoninus died, Marcus accepted the throne on the condition that he and Verus were made joint emperors ( Augusti), with Verus partly subordinate. The reasons for this are unclear.

The joint succession may have been motivated by military exigency. During his reign Marcus Aurelius was almost constantly at war with various peoples outside the Empire. Germanic and other peoples launched many raids along the long European border, particularly into Gaul. (They, in turn, may have been under attack from more warlike tribes farther east.) In Asia, a revitalized Parthian empire renewed its assault. A highly authoritative figure was needed to command the troops, yet the emperor himself could not defend both fronts at the same time. Neither could he simply appoint a general to lead one assault; earlier popular military leaders like Julius CaesarAlternative meanings: Julius Caesar (disambiguation). Gaius Julius Caesar ( Latin: C·IVLIVS·C·F·C·N·CAESAR) ( July 13, 100 BC March 15, 44 BC) was a Roman military and political leader whose conquest of Gallia Comata extended the Roman world all the way t and VespasianCaesar Vespasianus Augustus ( November 18, AD 9 June 23, 79), originally known as Titus Flavius Vespasianus and best known as Vespasian was the emperor of Rome from 69 to 79. He was founder of the Flavian dynasty and acceded the throne in the end of the Y had used the military to overthrow the existing government and install themselves as supreme leaders.

Marcus Aurelius solved the problem by sending Verus to command the legions in the east. He was authoritative enough to command the full loyalty of the troops, but already powerful enough that he had little incentive to overthrow Marcus. The plan was successful - Verus remained loyal until his death on campaign in 169Events Second Marcomannian War begins. Germanic tribes invade frontiers of the Roman Empire, specifically the provinces of Raetia and Moesia. Northern African Moors invade what is now Spain. Marcus Aurelius becomes sole Roman Emperor. Change of Patriarch. This joint emperorship was faintly reminiscent of the political system of the Roman RepublicSee also Roman Republic (18th century) and Roman Republic (19th century). The Roman Republic traditionally lasted as a representative government of Rome and its territories from 510 BC until the establishment of the Roman Empire, typically placed at 44 BC, which functioned according to the principle of collegiality and did not allow a single person to hold supreme power. Joint rule was revived by DiocletianGaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletian ( 245- 313), born Diocles was Roman Emperor from November 20, 284 to May 1, 305. An Illyrian of low birth, Diocles rose through the ranks to the consulship. He was chosen by the Army on November 20, 284 to replace Numeri's establishment of the TetrarchyThe Tetrarchy ( Greek: "leadership of four"; aka the Latin Quadrumvirate "government by four men") was a system of government created in 293 AD by the Roman Emperor Diocletian in order to solve serious military and economic problems in the Roman Empire. in the late 3rd century2nd century 3rd century 4th century other centuries) Events The Sassanid dynasty of Persia launches a war to reconquer lost lands in the Roman east. 230 232 AD). Crisis of the Third Century shakes Roman Empire Emperor Valerian I is taken captive by the Pe.

Aurelius married Faustina the YoungerAnnia Galeria Faustina, "the Younger (c. 125/ 130 175) was the younger daughter of the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius and Faustina the Elder, wife of his successor Marcus Aurelius, and mother of Commodus. Originally promised by Hadrian to Lucius Verus, Aton in 145. During their 30-year marriage Faustina bore 13 children, most notably son Commodus who would become Emperor and daughter Lucilla who was wed to Lucius Verus to solidify his alliance with Marcus Aurelius.

Marcus Aurelius died on March 17, 180 during the expedition against the Marcomanni in the city of Vindobona (today Vienna). His ashes were returned to Rome and rest in Hadrian's mausoleum. He was able to secure the succession for his son Commodus, who he made co-emperor in his own lifetime (in 177), though the choice may have been unfortunate. Commodus was a political and military outsider, as well as an extreme egotist. Many historians belive that the decline of Rome began under Commodus. For this reason, Aurelius' death is often held to have been the end of the Pax Romana.