2020-03-07 Sat

Marcus Aurelius, who reigned over the Roman Empire from 161-180 CE, was commonly known for his intellectual pursuits. Today on 7th March in the year 161, Marcus Aurelius and L. Commodus (who changes his name to Lucius Verus) become joint emperors of Rome on the death of Antoninus Pius.

Aurelius was a dedicated student, learning Latin and Greek. He was a practitioner of Stoicism, and his untitled writing, commonly known as the Meditations, is the most significant source of the modern understanding of ancient Stoic philosophy. He was the last of the rulers known as the Five Good Emperors, and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace and stability for the Roman Empire.

The above shown Denarius of Antoninus Pius (AD 139) features the laureate bust of Antoninus Pius right on its obverse face. The reverse of a coin depicts the bare head of Marcus Aurelius left.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org