Aurelius, Marcus

(AD 121-80) Born in Baetica (Spain), he was related to Hadrian. He succeeded Antoninus Pius as emperor in 161 and ruled jointly with his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, until 169. He defended the empire's frontiers in Britain, Spain, Upper Germany, along the Danube and in the east. His son and successor Commodus was far less capable and the empire entered a long period of political instability. Marcus Aurelius was also a Stoic philosopher, widely admired for his Meditations.