Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor (A.D. 161-180), was adopted by his uncle Antoninus Pius in AD 138.
During his reign Marcus Aurelius was virtually constantly at war with various peoples trying to invade the empire.
Marcus Aurelius is well-known as a Stoic philosopher; his Meditations, written in Greek, survive and continue to inspire. However, his son and successor Commodus was a particularly vicious example of imperial excess.
- previous emperor Antoninus Pius
- following co-emperors: Lucius Verus & Commodus
Also see