Marcus Aurelius was born as Marcus Annius Verus in April 121 AD. His father was Annius Verus, who was a senator and a praetorian prefect under Hadrian. His mother was Domitia Lucilla, who came from an aristocratic family.
Aurelius became co-emperor with his father in 161 AD after his father’s sudden death. He was also made ruler of the eastern provinces by his stepmother, Faustina, who was intent on seeing her son succeed to the throne as sole emperor. His brother Lucius Verus was made co-emperor with him and given command of the Roman legions fighting on the borders between the empire and its enemies in Germania and Parthia.
Emperor had two sons with Faustina: Commodus and Lucilla (who died before reaching adulthood), both born in 145 AD. He also adopted Lucius Verus’ son Marcus Annius Verus as his own son (this adoption took place after he had been made co-emperor with Lucius Verus).
The reign of Marcus Aurelius lasted for 19 years from 161 to 180 AD. During this time, he fought many wars against foreign enemies such as the Marcomanni, Quadi and Sarmatians in central Europe; the Parthians in the east; and later on against Germanic tribes who attacked Roman territory during his reign (167–169).
He also fought against other Roman generals who attempted to seize power after his death, like Avidius Cassius (182-183), Septimius Severus (193-197) and Pescennius Niger (193-194).
