Rome 138-161 CE
AR Denarius 20mm, 3,12g
September 19
Birth of Antoninus Pius to itus Aurelius Fulvus and Arria Fadilla.
Death of Titus Aurelius Fulvus, the father of Antoninus Pius.
The mother of Antoninus Pius marries Publius Julius Lupus.
Antoninus Pius is appointed as Proconsul of Asia.
Antoninus Pius is adopted by Emperor Hadrian, making him the designated successor after the death of Hadrian’s first choice, Aelius Caesar.
July 10
Hadrian dies and Antoninus Pius becomes emperor at the age of 51. He persuades the Senate to deify Hadrian, earning him the title Pius for his devotion.
Antoninus Pius grants Marcus Aurelius the title of Caesar, officially recognizing him as heir to the throne.
Antoninus Pius serves as Consul for the second time and oversees the construction of the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina in the Roman Forum, dedicated to his late wife, Faustina the Elder.
A major earthquake destroys Rhodes. Funds for is rebuilding are given by Antoninus Pius.
Antoninus Pius completes the construction of the Antonine Wall in Britannia, extending Roman control further north than the previous Hadrian’s Wall.
The marriage of Marcus Aurelius to Faustina the Younger, Antoninus’ daughter, solidifies the family ties and succession plan.
A series of minor conflicts break out on the empire’s frontiers, including unrest in Dacia and revolts in Egypt, but Antoninus manages these without major wars.
Antoninus celebrates the 900th anniversary of the founding of Rome, a significant event during his reign.
March 7
Antoninus Pius dies of illness at the age of 74 at his villa in Lorium, near Rome. He had reigned for 23 years, one of the longest and most stable reigns of any Roman emperor. He is succeeded jointly by Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.
March 5
Antoninus Pius eats some alpine cheese at his estate in Lorium and vomits severely. He comes down with a fever thereafter and never recovers.
Roman ambassadorial mission reaches China. It’s uncertain who sent it, but it may have been Antoninus Pius.