Peace comes to the Roman Empire
Live, Learn, Travel: Emperor Antoninus Pius
As a rare period of peace falls across the Roman Empire, Antoninus Pius focuses on improving the lives of the Roman citizens. His 23 year reign builds on the years of leadership under Emperor Hadrian.
Antoninus Pius was born Titus Aurelius Fulvius Boionius Arrius Antoninus on September 19, 86 AD, in Lanuvium, a small town near Rome.
He came from a wealthy and noble family, and like many future Roman leaders, he was raised in an environment filled with politics, law, and Roman tradition.
His family had a history of public service and his interests in law and administration would serve him well later in life.
Antoninus married Faustina the Elder, who came from another prominent Roman family. Together, they had several children, but only Faustina the Younger survived to adulthood.
Antoninus was known as a loving and devoted family man, and he maintained a sense of humility despite his rising political stature.
Path to power
Antoninus’ rise to power did not come from military glory or political intrigue but from his reputation as a skilled administrator and his unwavering sense of duty.
He served in several important positions throughout the empire, including proconsul of Asia, where he earned a reputation for his fairness and honesty.
His administrative skills caught the attention of the emperor Hadrian.
In 138 AD, as Hadrian’s health declined, he began to consider who would succeed him. Hadrian had already adopted Lucius Aelius as his heir, but when Aelius died unexpectedly, Hadrian turned to Antoninus.
In a strategic move, Hadrian adopted Antoninus on the condition that he, in turn, would adopt Marcus Aurelius (Hadrian’s nephew) and Lucius Verus, ensuring a stable line of succession.
On July 10, 138 AD, following Hadrian’s death, Antoninus Pius was declared emperor. It would be the beginning of one of the most peaceful and successful reigns in Roman history.
A peaceful reign
If Hadrian was the traveling emperor, Antoninus was the emperor who never left Italy.
Antoninus Pius ruled for an impressive 23 years—one of the longest reigns in Roman history.
What made his reign unique was the extraordinary peace and stability that lasted through those years. Unlike many of his predecessors and successors, Antoninus was not a warrior emperor. He never led a military campaign.
Instead, he focused on consolidating the empire, ensuring that the vast territories acquired by previous emperors were well-governed and stable.
Securing the empire
Although Antoninus didn’t lead armies into battle, he was no less effective in securing the empire’s borders.
He believed in diplomacy and defensive fortification rather than aggressive expansion.
One of his most notable contributions was the construction of the Antonine Wall in Britannia. It was built further north than Hadrian’s Wall to protect Roman territory from the Caledonian tribes.
In other regions, Antoninus dealt with minor uprisings and frontier skirmishes, but he handled these with local commanders and governors, ensuring that the empire remained secure without the need for large-scale wars.
His reign was often called a time of “Roman Peace”, where the empire prospered without the constant threat of conflict.
A wise governor
Antoninus wasn’t just a peacemaker, he was a highly effective and just ruler. His reign is remembered for the numerous legal reforms he implemented, which were aimed at making Roman law fairer and more humane.
He introduced laws that protected slaves from excessive cruelty by their masters and granted them certain rights that had not been recognized before.
He also worked to improve the status of women and children within Roman society, reflecting his belief in the importance of family.
He was deeply committed to the welfare of the people. Like his predecessors, Antoninus continued to improve the infrastructure across the empire.
His administrative skill ensured that tax systems were efficient, funds were used wisely, and the empire remained prosperous. His careful management allowed the empire to maintain its stability even during periods of famine and natural disasters.
Working with the senate
Antoninus Pius maintained an excellent relationship with the Roman Senate, which had become strained during Hadrian’s reign.
He frequently consulted with the Senate on matters of governance and respected its role in Roman political life. His willingness to work with the Senate, rather than rule over it as some emperors had done, created an era of cooperation and political stability.
The Senate greatly respected Antoninus, who was seen as fair, kind, and attentive to the needs of both the empire and its ruling class.
Pius is the surname that Antoninus was given from the Senate for his dutiful acts.
His ability to balance imperial power with senatorial respect marked his reign as a period of peace not only for the provinces but also for the governing elite.
Family life and legacy
Antoninus Pius was a devoted family man, particularly to his wife, Faustina the Elder, and their surviving daughter, Faustina the Younger. Faustina the Elder was greatly loved by the people and was involved in charitable works.
After her death in 141 AD, Antoninus deified her and built a Temple of Faustina in the Roman Forum to honor her memory. Coins were minted in her name, and she became a revered figure in Roman society.
Antoninus’ careful planning of succession also helped secure his legacy.
He adopted Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, raising them to positions of power and ensuring that they were well-prepared to take the throne after him.
His choice of Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher who would go on to become one of Rome’s most revered emperors, showed Antoninus’ foresight and commitment to the future of the empire.
Antoninus Pius ruled with wisdom, humility, and a deep sense of duty for 23 years.
His reign was mostly free of the political intrigue, wars, and assassinations that often plagued Roman emperors.
In 161 AD, after a long illness, Antoninus Pius died at the age of 75 at his villa in Lorium, near Rome.
His final moments were reportedly calm, as he asked for the golden statue of Fortune—a symbol of his successful reign—to be passed to his successor, Marcus Aurelius.
Antoninus was buried in Hadrian’s Mausoleum in Rome, alongside the emperors before him, and was deified by the Roman Senate, ensuring that his legacy would live on.
See the life of Antoninus Pius by visiting:
Antonine Wall (Scotland)
The Antonine Wall is one of Antoninus Pius’ most notable achievements. Constructed in 142 AD, the Antonine Wall marked the frontier of Roman territory in Scotland.
What to See: While much of the wall has eroded over time, you can still visit parts of it and explore the Roman forts and museums along its route. The Rough Castle Fort and Bar Hill Fort are well-preserved examples of Roman military outposts along the wall, and the Antonine Wall Museum offers an in-depth look at its construction and purpose.
Temple of Antoninus and Faustina (Rome, Italy)
Located in the Roman Forum, the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina was originally built in 141 AD to honor Antoninus' wife, Faustina the Elder, after her death and deification. After Antoninus’ death in 161 AD, the temple was rededicated to both Antoninus and Faustina.
What to See: The temple’s Corinthian columns and imposing structure make it a striking feature of the Roman Forum. Today, it is integrated into the Church of San Lorenzo in Miranda, but much of the original architecture is still visible.
Hadrian’s Mausoleum (Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome, Italy)
Antoninus Pius was buried in Hadrian’s Mausoleum, now known as Castel Sant’Angelo, following his death in 161 AD. Although originally built by Emperor Hadrian as his tomb, it became the resting place for many emperors, including Antoninus Pius.
What to See: Castel Sant’Angelo is a must-visit for anyone interested in Roman history. Explore the castle’s interior, which has served many roles over the centuries, from a fortress to a papal residence.
Museo Nazionale Romano (Rome, Italy)
The National Roman Museum in Rome houses a vast collection of Roman sculptures, inscriptions, and artifacts, including those from the time of Antoninus Pius. This museum offers an in-depth look at the art, culture, and society of the Roman Empire during the Antonine era.
What to See: Look for busts and statues of Antoninus Pius, his wife Faustina, and his adopted heirs, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, to gain a visual understanding of how the emperor was portrayed and remembered during his time.
Uffizi Gallery (Florence, Italy)
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence houses an important collection of Roman busts and sculptures, including some of Antoninus Pius and his family. Although not as closely associated with Roman architecture as the sites in Rome, the Uffizi's collection offers a glimpse into how Roman emperors were represented in art.
Lanuvium (Modern Lanuvio, Italy)
Lanuvium, the birthplace of Antoninus Pius, was a small town in Latium, south of Rome. While the town has been modernized, it still has Roman ruins that reflect its ancient history.
What to See: You can visit the remnants of Roman villas, shrines, and ancient roads that date back to the time of Antoninus Pius. The town’s connection to Antoninus provides an interesting perspective on his early life and upbringing.
Capitoline Museums (Rome, Italy)
The Capitoline Museums in Rome are home to some of the finest sculptures and artifacts from the Roman Empire, including portraits of Antoninus Pius. These museums provide a wealth of information about Roman emperors, their families, and the society they ruled.
If you enjoyed reading about the life of Antoninus Pius, please consider subscribing to our weekly newsletter that takes a look each week at historical events and people that changed the world. Next week, we’ll explore the life of Marcus Aurelius, one of my personal favorites.
Family travel is all about building lasting memories together. We’ve enjoyed exploring parks, historical places, and new cultures. Having these shared experiences has brought us all closer.
As we’ve explored, we’ve enjoyed keeping track of the countries, US states, and cities we’ve visited.
With our experiences over the years, we decided to build an app to help us keep track of our adventures. It’s a digital scrapbook of our travel memories.
We’ve made the app available for other families to use. It’s currently available for free (for life) to those who join our Founding Families. If you’re interested, we’d love to have you join us.