Marcus Aurelius Becomes Emperor
161 · Classical Antiquity
On March 7, 161 CE, Marcus Aurelius became Roman Emperor following the death of Antoninus Pius. Breaking with tradition, Marcus insisted that his adoptive brother Lucius Verus be appointed as co-emperor, marking the first time Rome had two emperors ruling simultaneously. Marcus Aurelius was the last of the Five Good Emperors and his reign marked the end of the Pax Romana period.
Key Figures
Marcus AureliusLucius VerusAntoninus Pius
Locations
RomeImperial Palace on Palatine HillLorium
Topics
leaderphilosopherromepax romana
Connected Events — 2 Connections
Marcus Aurelius appointed Galen as his personal physician, providing imperial patronage that enabled Galen extensive medical research and writing Galen's Contributions to Medicine and Anatomy
The plague began during the reign of Marcus Aurelius and was carried back by soldiers from his co-emperor Lucius Verus Parthian campaign Antonine Plague Spreads Across the Roman Empire
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