biography
| name: |
Aurelius
|
| |
in full Caesar Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus, originally Marcus Annius Verus
|
pronunciation:
[awreelius]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (121–80)
|
| biography:
| One of the most respected emperors in Roman history, born in Rome, Italy. When only 17, he was adopted by Antoninus Pius, who had succeeded Hadrian and whose daughter Faustina was selected for his wife. From 140, when he was made consul, till the death of Antoninus in 161, he discharged his public duties with great conscientiousness, at the same time devoting himself to the study of law and philosophy, especially Stoicism. Peaceful by temperament, his reign suffered from constant wars, and though in Asia, Britain, and on the Rhine the barbarians were checked, permanent peace was never secured. His death was felt to be a national calamity, and he was retrospectively idealized as the model of the perfect emperor. |
|
|
