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Contents

Events

By Place

Roman Empire

By Topic

Arts and Sciences

Births

Deaths

Events

By Place

Roman Empire

★ March 7 — Roman emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by Marcus Aurelius who shares imperial power with Lucius Verus, although Marcus retains the title Pontifex Maximus.

★
★ 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 endeavours to create new principles of morality and humanity, particularly favouring women and slaves.

★ The weight of a goldpiece, the aureus, is reduced from 7.81 grams under Aurelius to 7.12 grams.

By Topic

Arts and Sciences

★ Publication of Gaius' ''Institutiones''.

Births

★ August 31 — Commodus, future Roman emperor

★ Liu Bei, founder of the Shu Kingdom of China

★ Lu Dai, general of Wu

Deaths

★ March 7 — Antoninus Pius, Roman Emperor