Directory

161 CE

Emperor Antoninus Pius dies, and is succeeded by Marcus Aurelius, who shares imperial power with Lucius Verus, although Marcus retains the title Pontifex Maximus. Autumn – The Parthians invade Armenia, and install their own candidate on the throne. A legion (perhaps Legio IX Hispana) is destroyed at Elegeia. Marcus Aurelius, a Spaniard like Trajan and Hadrian, is a stoical disciple of Epictetus, and an energetic man of action. He pursues the policy of his predecessor and maintains good relations with the Senate. As a legislator, he endeavors to create new principles of morality and humanity, particularly favoring women and slaves.

Geopolitics & Diplomacy

  • Marcus Aurelius, a Spaniard like Trajan and Hadrian, is a stoical disciple of Epictetus, and an energetic man of action. He pursues the policy of his predecessor and maintains good relations with the Senate. As a legislator, he endeavors to create new principles of morality and humanity, particularly favoring women and slaves.source

Conflict & Security

  • Autumn – The Parthians invade Armenia, and install their own candidate on the throne. A legion (perhaps Legio IX Hispana) is destroyed at Elegeia.source

Economy & Finance

  • Aurelius reduces the weight of a goldpiece, the aureus, from 7.81 grams to 7.12 grams.source
  • The silver content of the Roman denarius falls to 68 percent under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, down from 75 percent under Antoninus Pius.source

Science & Discovery

  • Gaius' Institutiones are published.source

Births

  • August 31 – Commodus, Roman emperor (d. 192)source
  • Lü Dai, general of the Eastern Wu state (Three Kingdoms) (d. 256)source
  • Liu Bei, founder of the Shu Han (Three Kingdoms) (d. 223)source

Deaths

  • March 7 – Emperor Antoninus Pius dies, and is succeeded by Marcus Aurelius, who shares imperial power with Lucius Verus, although Marcus retains the title Pontifex Maximus.source
  • March 7 – Antoninus Pius, Roman emperor (b. AD 86)source
  • Athenais, Roman noblewoman (b. AD 143)source