Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius, born April 26, 121 in Rome and died March 17, 180 in Sirmione or Vindobona, is a Roman emperor and philosopher of the Antonine dynasty, consul in 140, 145 and 161, reigning from 161 to 180. Last of the "five good emperors" according to Machiavelli, he is also the last emperor of the period of "Roman peace", a period of relative stability that began under the reign of Augustus (26 to 14 BC), succeeding the period of wars. civilians (-49 to -31). Marcus Aurelius was born during the reign of Hadrian. He is the son of the praetor Marcus Annius Verus and the heiress Domitia Lucilla Minor. His father died while he was still a child and Marcus Aurelius was raised by his mother and grandfathers.After the death of Hadrian's adopted son, Lucius Aelius, in 138, the emperor adopted Marcus Aurelius' uncle, Antoninus the Pious, as his new heir. Hadrian dies that year and Antoninus becomes emperor.