Marcus Aelius Aurelius Verus, Caesar 139 - 161, Augustus 161 - 180

Born (Marcus Annius Verus) 121 in Rome. Selected for the highest office by Hadrian, who appointed him to be eventual successor to Antoninus Pius. Adopted by Antoninus and married to his daughter. On his accession to the throne in 180, he immediately appointed Lucius Verus, son of Aelius Caesar and also an adopted son of Antoninus, to be co-emperor with him. Aurelius is famous as a Stoic philosopher, and his book "Meditations", written largely during his frontier campaigns, is still in print today, more than 1,800 years after his death. He was a fine soldier and conducted many campaigns against the frequent incursions which marred the peace of his reign. A personification of Roman virtue, his one real failing was his inability to see the weakness in his son, Commodus, whom he appointed as Augustus in 177. On his death, he was deified by the senate.
 

As Caesar

As Augustus