Chapter I
Pocket History of The Roman Empire
Volume 2
From the reign of Marcus Aurelius until the death of Titus Aurelius II
printed in Mediolanum 1512 AD
Marcus Aurelius (161 AD–186 AD)
”Whatever happens at all happens as it should”- Meditations. Book IV. IV,4
Today, this great emperor is usually only remembered by historians for giving the name of the House Aurelius and being the father of Titus Aurelius the Great or for his intellectual pursuits. But I – Quintus Salonius Piso the Scholar – will not fall into that trap my fellow readers! No! I tell you the truth about his greatness and strategic mastermind{1}. This Chronica Regni was especially made to reveal those forgotten Emperors to the public and mark the way to future scholars{2} who will dig into the deep mud of what they call…
history!
Synopsis:
Marcus Aurelius was born on April 26, 121, in Rome, and was chosen by Emperor Hadrian to be his successor. In 161, Marcus took control of the Roman Empire along with his brother Verus.
War and disease threatened Rome on all sides. He held his territories, even after the death of his brother Verus. He succesfully invaded the jazyges and integrated their territory as the province Sarmatia into the Great Empire. Unfortunately, he couldn’t finish his dream, the conquest of Marcomannia. That remained to his son…
Early life:
He was born into a wealthy and politically prominent family. Growing up, he was a dedicated student, learning Latin and Greek. His serious and hard working nature was even noticed by Emperor Hadrian. He arranged for Antonius – later Emperor Pius Antonius – to adopt Marcus Aurelius.
Into Politics:
In 140 , he became consul, which he held three times in his lifetime. Marius also continued his philosophical studies and developed an interest in law. He also had a contented personal life. He married Faustina, the emperor’s daughter, in 145. They had many children, some did not live long. Best known are Lucilla and Titus Aurelius.
The Emperor:
After his father die din 161, he rose to power and got the name Marcus Aurelius Antonius{3} Augustus. His brother Lucius Verus served as his co-ruler, who commanded the eastern campaigns and died suddenly in 169 in plague. And so began the most difficult period of his life.
The German Wars:
In 169, the Marcomanni and Quadi crossed the Danube and entered Italy. The Emperor had to facet he enemy alone and drove away the Germans. In 175, the governor of Syria, Avidius Cassius declared himself Emperor. Marcus responded quickly. He left the northern war and travelled to the East but Cassius was murdured before he arrived. After he returned to Italy, he took his son with him to the North. Titus was merelt 16, but he was made co-emperor in 177. Together they fought the northern enemies of the empire. His hope to extend the empire became true as he, the brilliant stategist, succesfully conquered the jazyges in 183 and made their homeland into the province of Sarmatia. Unfortunately, the war was not over yet, as the Marcomannians refused to surrender. Three years later, the war still rages on, but not for him, as Marcus Aurelius the Philospher, the founder of a great dynasty, the last of the 4 adopted Emperors passed on in his camp, far from the borders of his Empire. It was August 4, 186. Even the Gods cried over him for days{4} and when the rain finally stopped and the sun returned everyone knew that a new time was coming.
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{1}:This prologue is one of the many exaggerations of Scholar Piso. (this old book is edited by the Chief Librarian of the Lunar Colony)
{2}:The view on M.A. haven't changed for many centuries.
{3}:The dynasty name of the later emperors was originally Antonian but as they called themselves the member of the House Aurelius, this changed
{4}:There is no other record about that. I mean the heavy rain.