Marcus Aurelius
Born 121 · Age 1904
Roman emperor (r. 161–180), Stoic philosopher and author of the Meditations; last of the Nerva–Antonine 'Five Good Emperors'.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth of Marcus Annius Verus (later Marcus Aurelius)
Born in Rome into the senatorial Annii family; mother Domitia Lucilla, father Marcus Annius Verus (praetor).
Death of his father; childhood change
Marcus's father (Marcus Annius Verus) died when Marcus was about three; he was thereafter raised by his mother and paternal grandfather.
Introduction to philosophy (Diognetus)
Under tutor Diognetus Marcus adopts the rough Greek cloak lifestyle, takes the philosophical habit and is introduced to Cynic/early philosophical practices.
Hadrian selects Lucius Ceionius Aelius as successor
Emperor Hadrian names Lucius Aelius Caesar (Lucius Ceionius Commodus) as his heir — a move that affects Marcus's future prospects.
Betrothal to Ceionia Fabia
Marcus is betrothed to Ceionia Fabia (daughter of Lucius Ceionius Commodus) as part of political arrangements under Hadrian.
Name changes on adoption (Marcus Aelius Aurelius Verus)
Following adoption by Antoninus (per Hadrian's arrangement) Marcus takes the name M. Aelius Aurelius Verus Caesar (later Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus upon accession).
Shift from oratory training toward Stoic philosophy
Although trained by famed orators (Fronto, Herodes Atticus), Marcus increasingly embraces Stoicism under teachers like Quintus Junius Rusticus and Apollonius.
Beginning of extensive correspondence with Fronto (c.138–166)
A significant body of letters between Marcus and his Latin teacher Fronto documents much of Marcus's apprenticeship and personal life; extant letters cover c.138–166.
Senate exemption: allowed to serve quaestor before 24
Hadrian requests Senate exempt Marcus from the law barring early quaestorship; Marcus thus serves under Antoninus and is accelerated into public office.
Hadrian appoints Antoninus Pius and arranges adoptions
Hadrian selects Titus Aurelius Antoninus (Antoninus Pius) as successor and requires Antoninus to adopt Lucius Verus and Marcus (making Marcus heir-apparent).
Death of Emperor Hadrian
Hadrian dies at Baiae; Antoninus Pius succeeds as emperor, cementing Marcus's path to future rule.
Made sevir and assumed princeps iuventutis
At Antoninus' direction Marcus becomes a sevir (one of six commanders for equestrian parade) and is recognized as princeps iuventutis (head of the youth/equestrian order).
Brought into full priestly colleges / Arval Brethren membership
At the Senate's request Marcus is enrolled in the major priestly colleges (evidence strongest for Arval Brethren membership).
First consulship (consul suffect or ordinary)
Marcus serves as Roman consul (first recorded consulship), marking his early entry into high office.
Marriage to Annia Galeria Faustina ('Faustina the Younger')
Marcus marries his cousin Faustina (Antoninus Pius's daughter) — a political and personal alliance.
Birth of daughter Domitia Faustina
Faustina gives birth to Domitia Faustina; infant is reported sickly; later dies in 151.
Granted tribunician power and imperium
On 1 December 147 Antoninus confers tribunician powers and imperium on Marcus, formalizing his status as junior co‑emperor (renewed 10 Dec 147).
Birth and death of twin sons (family coin evidence)
Coins record twins Titus Aurelius Antoninus and Tiberius Aelius Aurelius born in 149; both die in infancy and are buried in Hadrian's Mausoleum.
Birth of daughter Annia Aurelia Galeria Lucilla
Lucilla (one of Marcus & Faustina's most prominent daughters) is born on 7 March 150.
Birth (and likely early death) of son Tiberius Aelius Antoninus
A son (Tiberius Aelius Antoninus) is born around 152 but evidence indicates he does not survive long (coins stop depicting him by 156).
Praetorian prefect (succession of administrative duties)
After death of Marcus Gavius Maximus (156/157), Marcus assumes many more administrative duties and acts as praetorian prefect's responsibilities increase.
Designated joint consuls for 161 with Lucius Verus
Marcus and Lucius are designated as joint consuls for the coming year — formal step toward joint succession.
Reforms in civil law for vulnerable groups
During his reign Marcus promulgates numerous judicial measures easing harshness in civil law for slaves, widows, minors, and inheritance cases.
Third recorded consulship (161)
Marcus serves as consul again in the year of accession (161).
Donative to the Praetorian Guard (large donativum)
Following accession the emperors award a large donativum to the troops — recorded as 20,000 sesterces per man (a huge sum) to secure loyalty.
Devaluation of the denarius (coinage silver purity cut)
Soon after accession Marcus reduces denarius silver purity from ~83.5% to ~79% (reducing weight/purity) to raise funds.
Senate deifies Antoninus Pius
Following Antoninus Pius's death Marcus and Lucius successfully present Antoninus for deification (Divus Antoninus); a flamen is appointed for his cult.
Policy of joint rule (first formally equal joint emperors)
Marcus insists Lucius Verus be elevated to full equal powers rather than take sole power — establishing a formal co‑emperor arrangement.
Accession to the imperial throne (co-emperors Marcus & Lucius Verus)
Antoninus Pius dies (7 March 161). Marcus becomes emperor and insists Lucius Aurelius Verus be made co‑emperor — first time Rome has formally equal joint emperors.
Start of Parthian War (162)
War in the East against the Parthian kingdom begins (162–166), nominally under Lucius Verus but effectively won by generals like Gaius Avidius Cassius.
Reliance on generals (Avidius Cassius and others) for eastern campaigns
Military successes in the Parthian War are largely credited to generals such as Gaius Avidius Cassius rather than the emperors personally.
Antonine Plague outbreak (c.165–166)
A devastating pandemic (probable smallpox) breaks out after troops return from the East; estimated deaths across the empire 5–10 million.
Conclusion of Parthian War (Roman success via generals)
By 166 Roman operations in the East conclude successfully, largely through the leadership of subordinate generals such as Avidius Cassius.
Danube expedition against Germanic tribes (167–168)
Marcus and Lucius march across the Danube in punitive expedition after Germanic incursions; German tribes later invade Italy and besiege Aquileia.
Invasion of Italy and siege of Aquileia
A horde of Germanic tribes invades Italy and besieges Aquileia — a shock to Roman security, requiring emergency levies and funds.
Death of co-emperor Lucius Verus
Lucius Aurelius Verus dies in 169 (likely of stroke or from plague); Marcus rules alone thereafter.
Continuation of Marcomannic Wars (169–172)
Three more years of fighting (approx. 169–172) required to restore the Danubian frontier after Germanic invasions.
Composition of the Meditations (c.170–180)
Marcus writes his personal Stoic reflections (Meditations) largely while on campaign in the Danube frontier; exact dates undated but chiefly in his 50s.
Further Bohemian campaigns (c.172–175) to secure frontier
Marcus continues campaigns in Bohemia and the Danube region for several years, ultimately bringing tribes to a degree of peace.
Imperial tour of East to re-establish authority
After the Cassius revolt Marcus tours the eastern provinces with Faustina to reassert control — part of consolidation of imperial legitimacy.
Death of Empress Faustina the Younger (c.175)
Faustina dies during travels in the East while accompanying Marcus after quelling Cassius' revolt (exact place/timing debated).
Avidius Cassius' rebellion and assassination (175)
General Gaius Avidius Cassius proclaims himself emperor amid rumours of Marcus's death; revolt collapses when Cassius is murdered by his own troops.
Christian martyrdoms at Lyon (177)
Large martyrdoms occur at Lyon; persecutions of Christians are recorded during Marcus's reign though his personal responsibility remains debated.
Elevates son Commodus to co-emperor (Caesar/associate)
Marcus makes his son Commodus co‑ruler (formal step towards succession) in 177, breaking the precedent of adoptive succession.
Marcus's attempt to continue military campaign with Commodus
Marcus involves his son Commodus as co-ruler (from 177) and continues northern campaigns, aiming to secure and possibly extend frontiers.
Defeats of Germanic tribes; wintering at Vindobona
Marcus secures victories over Germanic tribes and retires to winter quarters at Vindobona (modern Vienna) around 178.
Deification and burial in Hadrian's Mausoleum
Upon his death Marcus is deified by the Senate and buried (interred) at Hadrian's Mausoleum; his memory honored with monuments.
End of the Pax Romana (symbolic)
Marcus' death traditionally marks the end of the Pax Romana era (27 BC–180 AD) and the end of the sequence of 'Five Good Emperors'.
Legacy monuments: Column and Equestrian Statue (celebrations of victories)
The Column of Marcus Aurelius and the bronze equestrian statue in Rome commemorate his military achievements; both survive into the modern era.
Death of Marcus Aurelius
Marcus dies on 17 March 180 at Vindobona or Sirmium (Pannonia). He is succeeded by his son Commodus.
Key Achievement Ages
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