Despite his extensive building projects around the empire and in the capital, he still managed to leave a substantial surplus — around two and a half million sesterces — in the imperial treasury at the time of his death. Nevertheless, he was not avaricious in taxation, famously suspending it in those cities who suffered the misfortune of a natural disaster.
Together they had four children, two sons and two daughters. Unfortunately for the couple three of the children — both sons and one of the daughters — all died before AD The surviving child, Annia Galeria Faustina Minor also known as Faustina the Younger , grew up to be a future empress as the wife of Marcus Aurelius and mother of Commodus. As a reflection of her importance to Antoninus and her role as the imperial mother, she was granted the title of Augusta by the Senate , which was a sign of public respect and a clear indication of her status.
His grief found expression in a number of magnificent monuments across the imperial capital. Chief amongst these, of course, is the Temple of the Deified Faustina — to which the cult of Antoninus would be added after his death — in the Forum Romanum. The most evocative representation of this deification however is presented in a relief sculpture from the base of the Column of Antoninus Pius, which is now displayed in the Vatican Museums.
Set up in the Campus Martius by Marcus Aurelius to honor his deceased predecessor, the ornate relief decorations on the base unfortunately all that survives of the monument includes a depiction of Faustina and Antoninus being carried away on the back of a winged Genius as they ascend to the heavens. The only complete biography that survives can be found in the Historia Augusta , a collection of imperial biographies produced in the late 4 th century and often rich in scandalous falsehoods and lurid gossip.
That being said, for the reign of earlier emperors, it is often possible to ascertain elements of truth in this text. Historians have pondered whether the very lack of conflict in the empire during the reign of Antoninus Pius was responsible for the dearth of contemporary historiography; it is telling that the reign of Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius after Antoninus — wracked by war, violence and a terrible plague — would lead the historians to pick up their pens once more. The reign of Antoninus Pius may also be pieced together using the anecdotes and traditions that were preserved by later historians.
Despite his decision to remain in Italy, Antoninus Pius nevertheless remained actively involved in the administration of the empire and was well aware of the world outside of Rome. Although a reign of peace, Antoninus did in fact order an aggressive incursion into the north of Britain. To mark the new imperial boundary — which ran from the Firth of Forth to the Firth of Clyde — the Antonine Wall was built.
The Antonine Wall was different from the earlier Hadrianic fortification in that it was built predominately of turf, not stone. The lack of benefit to acquiring this additional territory — the land was barren — and the costs involved in manning the new fortification have led some to ponder whether the whole campaign was conducted purely to provide Antoninus with a modest military victory upon which to further boost his legitimacy as emperor.
He was the emperor responsible for what is believed to be the first diplomatic mission from Rome to China! The Chinese historian makes clear that this is the first instance of direct contact between China and Rome! Although the emperor in question could also be Marcus Aurelius who was reigning in AD and also called Antoninus , the discovery of golden medallions from the reign of Antoninus found in the Far East do indicate the relationship between the two great powers.
His adoption of Antoninus as his heir was predicated on the future-emperor. To confirm the adoption of the young men into the imperial household, Antoninus had Marcus annul his betrothal to one Ceionia Fabia. Hadrian Third of "Five Good Emperors. Improved condition of poor. Justin Christian saint whose writings influenced Antoninus. Antoninus Pius in. The Story of the Romans by H. Marcus Aurelius.
Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Ancient History and Latin Expert. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin.
Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Gill, N. Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius. The Life and Accomplishments of Marcus Aurelius. Economic Reasons for the Fall of Rome. Biography of Tiberius, 1st Century Roman Emperor.
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