Lucius Verus

Lucius Verus child Louvre Ma1149

Antoninus Pius Glyptothek Munich 337 Detail

Lucius Verus Denarius

Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna June 2006 050

Figura loricata con testa non pertinente di lucio vero, copro del 50-75 dc, testa del 160-169 dc ca. 6081, 01

Lucius Verus (15 December 130 – 169 AD) was a Roman Emperor who reigned alongside his adoptive brother, Marcus Aurelius, from 161 until his own death in 169. Born Lucius Ceionius Commodus, he was the son of a prominent politician, Lucius Ceionius Commodus, and was adopted by Antoninus Pius at the request of Hadrian. Upon Antoninus Pius' death, Lucius Verus ascended to the throne as co-emperor, a historic event as it was the first time the Roman Empire was ruled by two emperors simultaneously.

Early Life

Lucius Verus was born into a distinguished family, which traced its lineage back to the Roman aristocracy. His early life was marked by the death of his father when he was young, leading to his adoption by Antoninus Pius, who was himself adopted by Emperor Hadrian as part of Hadrian's succession plan. This adoption secured Lucius Verus' path to the throne.

Reign

The reign of Lucius Verus, though overshadowed by that of his more famous co-emperor, Marcus Aurelius, was significant for several reasons. Upon ascending to the throne, the two emperors divided their responsibilities, with Verus initially taking on a more passive role. However, the outbreak of the Parthian War (161-166) necessitated his direct involvement. Lucius Verus took command of the Roman legions in the East, marking one of the few instances where a Roman emperor personally led troops in battle during this period. His campaigns against the Parthian Empire were successful, culminating in the capture of the Parthian capital, Ctesiphon, in 165.

Despite these military successes, Lucius Verus' reign was also marked by the outbreak of the Antonine Plague, which devastated the Roman population and military. The plague, which began in 165 and lasted until 180, significantly weakened the Roman Empire, leading to economic troubles and decreased military strength.

Death and Legacy

Lucius Verus died in 169, while returning to Rome from the campaign in the East. His death, believed to be due to disease, marked the end of his relatively short reign. He was deified by the Senate, and his ashes were placed in Hadrian's Mausoleum. Despite his contributions, particularly in the military sphere, Lucius Verus is often overshadowed by Marcus Aurelius, whose philosophical writings and longer reign have captured the historical imagination.

Lucius Verus' reign, though brief, was a pivotal moment in Roman history, demonstrating the empire's military might but also exposing its vulnerabilities. His co-emperorship with Marcus Aurelius represented a unique solution to the challenges of imperial succession and governance, setting a precedent for future emperors.