Extract

Aurelius, Marcus, emperor 161–80ce, was born in 121 and named M. Annius (RE 94) Verus. His homonymous grandfather, M. *Annius Verus , from Ucubi (Espejo) in Baetica, consul for the third time (as ordinarius) in 126 and city prefect, a relative of *Hadrian and an influential figure, brought him up after his father's early death. His mother Domitia Lucilla inherited the fortune created by Cn. *Domitius Afer . From early childhood Marcus was a favourite of Hadrian, who nicknamed him Verissimus. At the age of 15 he was betrothed at Hadrian's wish to Ceionia Fabia, daughter of the man Hadrian adopted as L. *Aelius Caesar . In 138 Hadrian ordered his second heir *Antoninus Pius , whose wife was Marcus' aunt *Annia Galeria Faustina (1) , to adopt Marcus along with Aelius' son Lucius: he now became M. (Aelius) Aurelius Verus Caesar. When Hadrian died, Marcus was betrothed to Antoninus' daughter, his own cousin *Annia Galeria Faustina (2) , instead of Ceionia.