General Notes

1  NAME T. Aurelius Fulvus Bionius Arrius /Antoninus/


ENCYCLOPÆDIA BRITANNICA
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Antoninus Pius
born Sept. 19, 86, Lanuvium, Latium
died March 7, 161, Lorium, Etruria


Antoninus Pius, marble bust; in the British Museum
 
in full Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius, original name Titus Aurelius Fulvius Boionius Arrius AntoninusRoman emperor from AD 138 to 161. Mild-mannered and capable, he was the fourth of the “five good emperors” who guided the empire through an 84-year period (96–180) of internal peace and prosperity. His family originated in Gaul, and his father and grandfathers had all been consuls.

After serving as consul in 120, Antoninus was assigned by the emperor Hadrian (ruled 117–138) to assist with judicial administration in Italy. He governed the province of Asia (c. 134) and then became an adviser to the Emperor. In 138 Antoninus was adopted by Hadrian and designated as his successor. Hadrian specified that two men—the future emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus—were to succeed Antoninus. Upon acceding to power, Antoninus persuaded a reluctant Senate to offer the customary divine honours to Hadrian. For this, and possibly other such dutiful acts, he was given the surname Pius by the Senate. When his wife, Faustina, died in late 140 or early 141 he founded in her memory the Puellae Faustinianae, a charitable institution for the daughters of the poor.

References to Antoninus in 2nd-century literature are exceptionally scanty; it is certain that few striking events occurred during his 23-year reign. A rebellion in Roman Britain was suppressed, and in 142 a 36-mile (58-kilometre) garrisoned barrier—called the Antonine Wall—was built to extend the Roman frontier some 100 miles north of Hadrian's Wall (q.v.). Antoninus' armies contained revolts in Mauretania, Germany, Dacia, and Egypt.

The feeling of well-being that pervaded the empire under Antoninus is reflected in the celebrated panegyric by the orator Aelius Aristides in 143–144. After Antoninus' death, however, the empire suffered invasion by hostile tribes, followed by severe civil strife.

Born in Lanuvium, Latium. Died in Lorium. Adopted by Emperor Hadrian. He is regarded as one of the "Five Good Emperors" in Roman history. Around 133-136, he served in Asia as proconsul, and there he earned the respect of Emperor Hadrian. After Hadrian's return from the Jewish war, Antoninus was made a member of his council not only on grounds of friendshipsand family connection, but because of his experience as a jurist and administrator. After the sudden death of L. Aelius Caesar, Antoninus was officially adopted by Hadrian on February 25, 138 as successor to the throne. After administering the imperial offices, Hadrian died and Antoninus became emperor. Antoninus restored the status of the senate without losing any of the imperial powers, improved and strengthen the great bureaucratic machinery of the Empire and was a great builder, especially in Italy. The whole world pressed on Antoninus with demands and petitions ofevery kind, and there was clear evidence that he satisfied many of them. Cities like Rome, and Ostia, Lanuvium and Tarquinii, Lorium and Caieta, Antinum and Terraccina, Capua and Puteoli and other places in Campaniaor South Italy, all owed buildings to him. He induced the rich to make benefactions, but he was also generous with his own resources. Antoninusbelieved the Empire needed no further conquests. He decided between claimants to the throne of the Bosporan realm whose king was 'Amicus Caesaris et Populi Romani', and supported the people of Olbia against the Scythians. As Hadrian threw himself into the task and built up the basis from which the distant influence could be exerted, Antoninus used up and did not add to the Empire's reserves. While he sought peace, he justified it with the plea of Scipio and Augustus that he would rather save the life of one citizen than slay a thousand enemies. People looked in vain for creative ideas during this quarter of a century of Antoninus's governing. After a short illness he died in peace. The reign of Antoninus was aperiod of peace and calm. He was an incredible administrator in his time, thus creating an era of prosperity.


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