Who Was Antoninus Pius?:
Antoninus Pius was one of the "five good emperors" of Rome, and was compared with the pious second king of Rome Numa Pompilius. Antoninus was praised for qualities of clemency, dutifulness, intelligence, and purity. He was the adoptive father of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the adopted son of Emperor Hadrian. He ruled from A.D. 138-161.
Antoninus Pius was one of the "five good emperors" of Rome, and was compared with the pious second king of Rome Numa Pompilius. Antoninus was praised for qualities of clemency, dutifulness, intelligence, and purity. He was the adoptive father of Emperor Marcus Aurelius and the adopted son of Emperor Hadrian. He ruled from A.D. 138-161.
Occupation: Ruler
Family of Antoninus Pius:
Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Antoninus Pius or Antoninus Pius was the son of Aurelius Fulvus and Arria Fadilla. He was born at Lanuvium (a Latin city southeast of Rome) on September 19, A.D. 86, and spent his childhood with his grandparents. Antoninus Pius' wife was Annia Faustina. The title "Pius" was awarded Antoninus by the Senate.
Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Antoninus Pius or Antoninus Pius was the son of Aurelius Fulvus and Arria Fadilla. He was born at Lanuvium (a Latin city southeast of Rome) on September 19, A.D. 86, and spent his childhood with his grandparents. Antoninus Pius' wife was Annia Faustina. The title "Pius" was awarded Antoninus by the Senate.
Career of Antoninus Pius:
Antoninus served as quaestor and then praetor before becoming consul in 120 with Catlius Severus. Hadrian named him one of 4 ex-consuls to have jurisdiction over Italy. He was proconsul in Asia. After his proconsulship, Hadrian used him as a consultant. Hadrian had adopted Aelius Verus as heir, but when he died, Hadrian adopted Antoninus (February 25, 138 A.D.) in a legal arrangement that entailed Antoninus' adoption of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus (from then on Verus Antoninus) the son of Aelius Verus. At the adoption, Antoninus received proconsular imperium and tribunician power.
Antoninus served as quaestor and then praetor before becoming consul in 120 with Catlius Severus. Hadrian named him one of 4 ex-consuls to have jurisdiction over Italy. He was proconsul in Asia. After his proconsulship, Hadrian used him as a consultant. Hadrian had adopted Aelius Verus as heir, but when he died, Hadrian adopted Antoninus (February 25, 138 A.D.) in a legal arrangement that entailed Antoninus' adoption of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus (from then on Verus Antoninus) the son of Aelius Verus. At the adoption, Antoninus received proconsular imperium and tribunician power.
Antoninus Pius as Emperor:
Upon taking office as emperor when his adopted father, Hadrian, died, Antoninus had him deified. His wife was titled Augusta (after her death she was deified)by the Senate, and he was given the title Pius (later, also Pater Patriae 'Father of the Country'). Antoninus left Hadrian's appointees in their offices. Although he did not participate in person, Antoninus fought against the Britons, made peace in the East, and fought tribes of Germans and Dacians (see Map of the Empire). He dealt with rebellions of Jews, Achaeans, and Egyptians, and suppressed the pillaging Alani. He would not allow senators to be executed.
Upon taking office as emperor when his adopted father, Hadrian, died, Antoninus had him deified. His wife was titled Augusta (after her death she was deified)by the Senate, and he was given the title Pius (later, also Pater Patriae 'Father of the Country'). Antoninus left Hadrian's appointees in their offices. Although he did not participate in person, Antoninus fought against the Britons, made peace in the East, and fought tribes of Germans and Dacians (see Map of the Empire). He dealt with rebellions of Jews, Achaeans, and Egyptians, and suppressed the pillaging Alani. He would not allow senators to be executed.
Generosity of Antoninus:
As was customary, Antoninus gave money to the people and the troops. The Historia Augusta mentions that he lent money at the very low interest rate of 4%. He founded an order for poor girls that was named after his wife, Puellae Faustinianae. He refused legacies from people with children of their own.
As was customary, Antoninus gave money to the people and the troops. The Historia Augusta mentions that he lent money at the very low interest rate of 4%. He founded an order for poor girls that was named after his wife, Puellae Faustinianae. He refused legacies from people with children of their own.
Antoninus was involved in many public works and building projects. He built a temple of Hadrian, repsired the amphitheater, baths at Ostia, the aqueduct at Antium, and more.
Death:
Antoninus Pius died in March 161. Historia Augusta describes the cause of death: "after he had eaten too freely some Alpine cheese at dinner he vomited during the night, and was taken with a fever the next day." He died a few days later. His daughter was his principal heir. He was deified by the Senate.
Antoninus Pius died in March 161. Historia Augusta describes the cause of death: "after he had eaten too freely some Alpine cheese at dinner he vomited during the night, and was taken with a fever the next day." He died a few days later. His daughter was his principal heir. He was deified by the Senate.
Source:
Lives of the Later Caesars
Lives of the Later Caesars
