Marcus Aurelius (161

Marcus Aurelius (161 - 180 AD)

Family and Background

His maternal great-grandfather, L. Catlius Severus was consul in 110 and 120, his maternal grandfather, P. Calvisius Tullus Ruso was consul for the first time in 109, and consul a second time some years later, his mother, Domitia Lucilla, married M. Annius Verus, son of M. Annius Verus, three times consul (the first time in an unknown year, the second and third times in 121 and 126), who died as praetor in 128. M. Annius Verus (the younger) was the brother of Annia Galeria Faustina, who married Antoninus Pius. Put simply, Marcus came from a family that had achieved high imperial favor towards the end of the reign of Trajan and in that of Hadrian. When Hadrian died, he was adopted by Antoninus Pius. Antoninus made him consul in 140 and 145. Among his first acts as emperor was the promotion of his adopted brother, Lucius Verus, as co-emperor, thereby, it seems, fulfilling Hadrian's desire that Lucius Verus should also be emperor.

Principal Events (Foriegn)

Invasion of barbarians in Britain and Germany (161)
Invasion of Cappadocia and Syria by Vologaeses IV of Parthia (161)
Capture of Ctesiphon (the capital of Parthia) by armies under the titular command of Marcus' colleague as emperor, Lucius Verus (165)
Invasion of the Danubian provinces by the Quadi and Marcomanni (168)
Invasion of the Danubian provinces by the Quadi and Marcomanni, Roman defeat (169)
War with he Marcomanni (primarily) (170-73), Marcus based at Carnuntum.
"Rain miracle" in which a Roman army, suffering from the heat, was saved by a thunderstorm, allegedly caused by the prayers of Marcus (171????)
War with the Quadi (primarily) (173-75), Marcus based at Sirmium.
Campaigns against the Quadi and the Marcomanni (primarily) (178-80), Marcus based at Viminacium and Sirmium.

Principal Events (Domestic)

Elevation of Lucius Verus as co-emperor (161)
Outbreak of the plague (probably smallpox) that was spread across the empire by troops returning from the Persian war (166)
Death of Lucius Verus (169)
Revolt of Avidius Cassius, governor of Syria and holding imperium maius over the eastern provinces as a sort of deputy emperor (175)
Death of Avidius Cassius (175)
Martyrdom of Christian community at Lyons (177)
Death of Marcus, March 17, 180 (at Sirmium)

Outlines of Policy

Marcus was regarded by his contemporaries and later generations as one

of Rome's greatest emperors. His primary innovations appear to have been in the appointments of Lucius Verus and, later, Avidius Cassius, otherwise he seems to have been deeply traditional in his outlook. He did, however, leave personal reflections on his own place in the world that were later published as his Meditations. From these, he appears to have been a sincere, decent human being, and the Meditations may, with justification, be seen as one of the most profound discourses on humanity to have survived from the ancient world. The bulk of Marcus' reign was taken up with serious wars on the frontier, and the fact that they were brought to a successful conclusion may be taken as a sign of Marcus' general competence as an administrator (he seems not to have taken direct conrol of military operations himself with any frequency).