Marcus Aurelius (r. 161 to 180 CE) was a Roman emperor best known as the last of the Five Good Emperors of Rome (following Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius) and as the author of the philosophical work Meditations. Although it has been claimed he instigated a persecution of Christians, modern scholarship argues against this.
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Definition
Timeline
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26 Apr 121 CE - 17 Mar 180 CELife of Marcus Aurelius.
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132 CEMarcus Aurelius is introduced to philosophy by his teacher Diognetus.
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138 CEMarcus Aurelius adopted by Antoninus Pius as successor.
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145 CEMarcus Aurelius marries Faustina, daughter of Antoninus Pius.
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161 CE - c. 166 CEParthian Wars with Rome; Lucius Verus commands Rome's forces in the field.
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7 Mar 161 CE - 17 Mar 180 CEReign of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
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9 Mar 161 CE - Mar 169 CEMarcus Aurelius rules with Lucius Verus.
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c. 162 CE - c. 166 CEMarcus Aurelius persecutes new sect of Christianity.
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Oct 166 CELucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius celebrate a shared triumph, both are hailed as Pater Patriae.
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168 CEGermanic tribes cross the Danube into the Roman Empire.
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169 CELucius Verus dies.
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Mar 169 CE - 177 CEMarcus Aurelius rules alone.
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170 CE - 180 CEMarcus Aurelius leads campaigns against the Germanic tribes; writes his famous Meditations.
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175 CEMarcus Aurelius tours eastern provinces of empire; his wife Faustina dies.
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c. 176 CEA huge bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius on horseback is erected in Rome.
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177 CE - 17 Mar 180 CEMarcus Aurelius rules with Commodus.
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c. 180 CEThe Column of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina is erected in Rome. It depicts in relief sculpture the emperors' campaigns across the Danube.
