172 CE
31.20mm 27.18g
Obverse: M ANTININVS AVG TR P XXVI, laureate head right
Reverse: IMP VI COS III, Victory standing right hanging shield inscribed VIC/GER on palm tree; S-C across fields
RIC III 1029 Rome
Ex CNG 2013
166 CE
AR Denarius 3.35g, 19x17mm
Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius right. M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX
Victory standing, head right, holding a palm and placing a shield inscribed VIC PAR on a palm tree. TR P XX IMP III COS III
RSC 878
April 26
Marcus Aurelius is born in Rome.
Death of father of Marcus Aurelius.
Birth of Ceionia Fabia to Lucius Aelius and Avidia. She would be bethrothed to Marcus Aurelius, but did not marry him.
February 25
Antoninus Pius is adopted as Hadrian‘s new heir and subsequently adopts Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius as part of the arrangement.
Antoninus Pius grants Marcus Aurelius the title of Caesar, officially recognizing him as heir to the throne.
Marcus Aurelius serves as consul with Antoninus Pius.
The marriage of Marcus Aurelius to Faustina the Younger, Antoninus‘ daughter, solidifies the family ties and succession plan.
December 1
Birth of first child Domitia Faustina to Faustina the Younger and Marcus Aurelius. Faustina the Younger is elevated to Augusta.
March 7
Birth of Lucilla to Faustina the Younger and Marcus Aurelius.
Birth of twin sons to Faustina the Younger and Marcus Aurelius. Both died in infancy.
Birth of Annia Galeria Aurelia Faustina to Faustina the Younger and Marcus Aurelius.
Birth of Annia Aurelia Fadilla to Faustina the Younger and Marcus Aurelius.
Birth of Annia Cornificia Faustina Minor to Faustina the Younger and Marcus Aurelius.
Marcus Aurelius engages his daughter Lucilla to Lucius Verus.
Lucius Verus is consul with Marcus Aurelius.
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. Faustina the Younger becomes Empress.
August 31
Commodus born as Lucius Aelius Aurelius Commodus to Marcus Aurelius and Faustina the Younger in Lanuvium.
Galen arrives in Rome. He soon serves as primary doctor to Marcus Aurelius, and then for most of the life of Commodus.
Birth of Marcus Annius Verus Caesar to Faustina the Younger and Marcus Aurelius.
April
The Tiber river overflows and destroys many houses. Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius give it their personal attention.
Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius celebrate a joint triumph in Rome for their victories over Parthia.
The Marcomanni cross the Danube and are pushed back by Marcus Aurelius.
The Antonine Plague hits Rome during the rule of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.
Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius lead military campaigns along the Danube River in response to Germanic incursions.
Marcus Aurelius increases the silver content in the Denarius from 79% to 82%.
Marcus Aurelius arranges Lucilla to marry Tiberius Claudius Pompeianus Quintianus.
September 10
Death of Marcus Annius Verus Caesar, son of Faustina the Younger and Marcus Aurelius, due to complications while trying to remove a tumor under his ear.
Birth of Vibia Aurelia Sabina to Faustina the Younger and Marcus Aurelius.
Marcus Aurelius reverts the silver content in the Denarius from 82% to 79% due to military crises.
October 15
Commodus given the title Germanicus at Carnuntum, during the Marcomannic Wars headed by Marcus Aurelius.
On hearing that Marcus Aurelius is ill, Avidius Cassius declares himself emperor in Syria. He is defeated and killed. Clodius Albinus serves with distinction in the campaign. Rumors abound that she is encouraged by Faustina the Younger, who sought his protection because he son Commodus is still young.
Emperor Marcus Aurelius visits Alexandria and addresses the city’s citizens during his reign.
December
Faustina the Younger dies in a military camp in Cappadocia of unknown causes. Marcus Aurelius publicly grieves for her.
September
Marcus Aurelius and Commodus are initiated into the Eleusinian Mysteries.
November
Marcus Aurelius and Commodus return to Rome from their campaign against Cassius.
December 23
Marcus Aurelius and Commodus celebrate a joint triumph.
Marcus Aurelius and Commodus head to the Danubian front again.
Smyrna is heavily damaged by an earthquake and rebuilt by Marcus Aurelius.
March 17
Death of Marcus Aurelius. Commodus becomes Emperor.