Roman History 19 - Marcus Aurelius 140-180 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 91 Marcus and Lucius and Rome episode 91 Marcus and Lucius and Rome episode 91 Marcus and Lucius and the the the parthians from very early on everyone parthians from very early on everyone parthians from very early on everyone knew that Marcus aelius was going to be knew that Marcus aelius was going to be knew that Marcus aelius was going to be Emperor someday born Marcus anus verus Emperor someday born Marcus anus verus Emperor someday born Marcus anus verus the future Emperor displayed from a the future Emperor displayed from a the future Emperor displayed from a young age the serious and scholarly young age the serious and scholarly young age the serious and scholarly temperament that first recommended him temperament that first recommended him temperament that first recommended him to hadrien and then cemented his to hadrien and then cemented his to hadrien and then cemented his reputation as Rome's great philosopher reputation as Rome's great philosopher reputation as Rome's great philosopher Emperor but of course for the first8 Emperor but of course for the first8 Emperor but of course for the first8 years of his Reign Marcus did not rule years of his Reign Marcus did not rule years of his Reign Marcus did not rule alone for the first time in history at alone for the first time in history at alone for the first time in history at Marcus's insistence no less there were Marcus's insistence no less there were Marcus's insistence no less there were actually two Emperors ruling Rome at the actually two Emperors ruling Rome at the actually two Emperors ruling Rome at the same same same time from very early on no one knew what time from very early on no one knew what time from very early on no one knew what was going to become of lucious virus was going to become of lucious virus was going to become of lucious virus born Lucius konus Commodus the future born Lucius konus Commodus the future born Lucius konus Commodus the future Emperor displayed from a young age the Emperor displayed from a young age the Emperor displayed from a young age the self-indulgent and fun-loving self-indulgent and fun-loving self-indulgent and fun-loving temperament that first led antoninus in temperament that first led antoninus in temperament that first led antoninus in the Senate to dismiss him and then the Senate to dismiss him and then the Senate to dismiss him and then cemented his reputation as one of Rome's cemented his reputation as one of Rome's cemented his reputation as one of Rome's great hedonist great hedonist great hedonist Emperors the unlikely partnership Emperors the unlikely partnership Emperors the unlikely partnership between Marcus and Lucius which Lucius between Marcus and Lucius which Lucius between Marcus and Lucius which Lucius managed to not screw up too badly would managed to not screw up too badly would managed to not screw up too badly would prove to be a watershed moment in the prove to be a watershed moment in the prove to be a watershed moment in the development of the always evolving development of the always evolving development of the always evolving Imperial political apparatus and in less Imperial political apparatus and in less Imperial political apparatus and in less than a century multiple Emperors would than a century multiple Emperors would than a century multiple Emperors would become the rule rather than the exception marcus' family family like the exception marcus' family family like the families of Hadrian and Tran before him families of Hadrian and Tran before him families of Hadrian and Tran before him originated in Rome and Spain and though originated in Rome and Spain and though originated in Rome and Spain and though they had only risen to prominence the they had only risen to prominence the they had only risen to prominence the century before by the time Marcus was century before by the time Marcus was century before by the time Marcus was born in 121 his family was rich and

born in 121 his family was rich and born in 121 his family was rich and Powerful connected closely to the Powerful connected closely to the Powerful connected closely to the Imperial Court and living fat off The Imperial Court and living fat off The Imperial Court and living fat off The Brick Works they owned which hadrien had Brick Works they owned which hadrien had Brick Works they owned which hadrien had used to build his architectural used to build his architectural used to build his architectural Empire the grandson of one of Hadrian's Empire the grandson of one of Hadrian's Empire the grandson of one of Hadrian's closest friends Marcus was only six when closest friends Marcus was only six when closest friends Marcus was only six when hadrien ordered the boy enrollment in hadrien ordered the boy enrollment in hadrien ordered the boy enrollment in the equestrian order and only the equestrian order and only the equestrian order and only when hadrien appointed him to an ancient when hadrien appointed him to an ancient when hadrien appointed him to an ancient and exclusive priesthood for young men and exclusive priesthood for young men and exclusive priesthood for young men even though Marcus due to his age and even though Marcus due to his age and even though Marcus due to his age and the fact that his father was dead did the fact that his father was dead did the fact that his father was dead did not qualify for the not qualify for the not qualify for the honor Adrien had clearly taken a shine honor Adrien had clearly taken a shine honor Adrien had clearly taken a shine to the boy and from that young age a to the boy and from that young age a to the boy and from that young age a precedent was said the rules would not precedent was said the rules would not precedent was said the rules would not apply to apply to apply to Marcus after rising to the occasion and Marcus after rising to the occasion and Marcus after rising to the occasion and displaying a talent for leadership displaying a talent for leadership displaying a talent for leadership within the priesthood the emperor within the priesthood the emperor within the priesthood the emperor arranged for the boy now 15 and ready to arranged for the boy now 15 and ready to arranged for the boy now 15 and ready to Dawn the toga of manhood to wed to konia Dawn the toga of manhood to wed to konia Dawn the toga of manhood to wed to konia Fabia daughter of Hadrian's newly Fabia daughter of Hadrian's newly Fabia daughter of Hadrian's newly adopted Heir Lucius elas adopted Heir Lucius elas adopted Heir Lucius elas Caesar when Marcus's wouldbe Caesar when Marcus's wouldbe Caesar when Marcus's wouldbe father-in-law died in 138 hadrien was father-in-law died in 138 hadrien was father-in-law died in 138 hadrien was forced to scramble for a new air and as forced to scramble for a new air and as forced to scramble for a new air and as you know the burden honor fell to you know the burden honor fell to you know the burden honor fell to antoninus with the famous Proviso that antoninus with the famous Proviso that antoninus with the famous Proviso that he must adopt both Marcus and Lucius he must adopt both Marcus and Lucius he must adopt both Marcus and Lucius Caesar's 7-year-old biological son Caesar's 7-year-old biological son Caesar's 7-year-old biological son Lucius konus Commodus antoninus agreed Lucius konus Commodus antoninus agreed Lucius konus Commodus antoninus agreed and Marcus anus verus became Marcus elus and Marcus anus verus became Marcus elus and Marcus anus verus became Marcus elus or Rus virus taking a name each from or Rus virus taking a name each from or Rus virus taking a name each from hrin and hrin and hrin and antoninus Marcus was reportedly unhappy antoninus Marcus was reportedly unhappy antoninus Marcus was reportedly unhappy with the arranged adoption doubly so for with the arranged adoption doubly so for with the arranged adoption doubly so for having to move in with the unstable having to move in with the unstable having to move in with the unstable Hadrian who historians and Scholars have

Hadrian who historians and Scholars have Hadrian who historians and Scholars have surmised Marcus did not particularly surmised Marcus did not particularly surmised Marcus did not particularly like but whatever his own misgivings like but whatever his own misgivings like but whatever his own misgivings Marcus was now clearly marked for high Marcus was now clearly marked for high Marcus was now clearly marked for high office and hadrien requested that the office and hadrien requested that the office and hadrien requested that the rules once again be set aside so that rules once again be set aside so that rules once again be set aside so that the now 17-year-old boy could serve the now 17-year-old boy could serve the now 17-year-old boy could serve quter in quter in quter in 139 after hen's death in July 138 139 after hen's death in July 138 139 after hen's death in July 138 antoninus approached Marcus about antoninus approached Marcus about antoninus approached Marcus about canceling the arranged marriage with canceling the arranged marriage with canceling the arranged marriage with konia Fabia and instead asked Marcus to konia Fabia and instead asked Marcus to konia Fabia and instead asked Marcus to marry his own daughter fostina despite marry his own daughter fostina despite marry his own daughter fostina despite the fact that technically the two were the fact that technically the two were the fact that technically the two were now brother and now brother and now brother and sister the engagements thus shuffled sister the engagements thus shuffled sister the engagements thus shuffled around to better reflect the new around to better reflect the new around to better reflect the new dynastic realities antoninus made his dynastic realities antoninus made his dynastic realities antoninus made his 19-year-old adopted son SL future 19-year-old adopted son SL future 19-year-old adopted son SL future son-in-law Marcus conso for 140 and son-in-law Marcus conso for 140 and son-in-law Marcus conso for 140 and Honor made even more prestigious by the Honor made even more prestigious by the Honor made even more prestigious by the fact that the emperor himself served as fact that the emperor himself served as fact that the emperor himself served as Marcus's Marcus's Marcus's colleague lest anyone miss the point colleague lest anyone miss the point colleague lest anyone miss the point antoninus enrolled Marcus in every antoninus enrolled Marcus in every antoninus enrolled Marcus in every important priesthood he could think of important priesthood he could think of important priesthood he could think of and then as the topping Cherry added and then as the topping Cherry added and then as the topping Cherry added Caesar to Marcus's growing list of names Caesar to Marcus's growing list of names Caesar to Marcus's growing list of names there was no doubt Marcus was destined there was no doubt Marcus was destined there was no doubt Marcus was destined for the for the for the purple this all might have gone to a purple this all might have gone to a purple this all might have gone to a lesser man's head but Marcus by this lesser man's head but Marcus by this lesser man's head but Marcus by this time was already showing signs of the time was already showing signs of the time was already showing signs of the stoic character that would come to stoic character that would come to stoic character that would come to Define him and with each new honor he Define him and with each new honor he Define him and with each new honor he cautioned himself against getting caught cautioned himself against getting caught cautioned himself against getting caught up in the power and the pageantry that up in the power and the pageantry that up in the power and the pageantry that now surrounded him or succumbing to the now surrounded him or succumbing to the now surrounded him or succumbing to the sheer exceptionalism that seemed to sheer exceptionalism that seemed to sheer exceptionalism that seemed to radiate from his very radiate from his very radiate from his very being as I mentioned during the bid

being as I mentioned during the bid being as I mentioned during the bid about Roman Early Education Marcus about Roman Early Education Marcus about Roman Early Education Marcus himself had been homeschooled a state of himself had been homeschooled a state of himself had been homeschooled a state of affairs he counted amongst the greatest affairs he counted amongst the greatest affairs he counted amongst the greatest blessings of his life he had been taught blessings of his life he had been taught blessings of his life he had been taught and still a young man was still being and still a young man was still being and still a young man was still being taught by some of the most gifted taught by some of the most gifted taught by some of the most gifted orators and rhetoricians the Empire had orators and rhetoricians the Empire had orators and rhetoricians the Empire had to offer including the Athenian herodes to offer including the Athenian herodes to offer including the Athenian herodes atus and the Latin Authority Marcus atus and the Latin Authority Marcus atus and the Latin Authority Marcus Cornelius Cornelius Cornelius fronto both were considered masters of fronto both were considered masters of fronto both were considered masters of their respective languages and Marcus their respective languages and Marcus their respective languages and Marcus was the ever hardworking if skeptical was the ever hardworking if skeptical was the ever hardworking if skeptical student of their student of their student of their lessons but by his early 20s Marcus had lessons but by his early 20s Marcus had lessons but by his early 20s Marcus had grown disillusioned with the empty grown disillusioned with the empty grown disillusioned with the empty sophistry of mere rhetoric and began sophistry of mere rhetoric and began sophistry of mere rhetoric and began moving towards the philosophy of moving towards the philosophy of moving towards the philosophy of stoicism Guided by the most prominent stoicism Guided by the most prominent stoicism Guided by the most prominent stoic of the day Junius rustic stoic of the day Junius rustic stoic of the day Junius rustic fronto in particular warned Marcus fronto in particular warned Marcus fronto in particular warned Marcus against falling in with the wrong crowd against falling in with the wrong crowd against falling in with the wrong crowd but the stoic Doctrine passed down to but the stoic Doctrine passed down to but the stoic Doctrine passed down to rusticus from his grandfather by way of rusticus from his grandfather by way of rusticus from his grandfather by way of senica himself spoke to Marcus and senica himself spoke to Marcus and senica himself spoke to Marcus and seemed to fit easily with his own native seemed to fit easily with his own native seemed to fit easily with his own native outlook on outlook on outlook on life the rigid self-analysis appealed to life the rigid self-analysis appealed to life the rigid self-analysis appealed to the introspective Marcus as did its the introspective Marcus as did its the introspective Marcus as did its emphasis on duty which help Marcus cope emphasis on duty which help Marcus cope emphasis on duty which help Marcus cope with the immense and largely unasked for with the immense and largely unasked for with the immense and largely unasked for burden that was being foed upon Him burden that was being foed upon Him burden that was being foed upon Him indeed it was was likely this sense of indeed it was was likely this sense of indeed it was was likely this sense of stoic Duty that compelled Marcus who stoic Duty that compelled Marcus who stoic Duty that compelled Marcus who seemed to be repelled by all things seemed to be repelled by all things seemed to be repelled by all things sexual to help fosa conceive each of the sexual to help fosa conceive each of the sexual to help fosa conceive each of the 14 yes 14 children they had 14 yes 14 children they had 14 yes 14 children they had together Marcus and fostina were together Marcus and fostina were together Marcus and fostina were officially wed in 145 the same year that

officially wed in 145 the same year that officially wed in 145 the same year that Marcus served as conso for the second Marcus served as conso for the second Marcus served as conso for the second time and their first child was born in time and their first child was born in time and their first child was born in 147 the same year that Marcus was given 147 the same year that Marcus was given 147 the same year that Marcus was given tribun authority to match that of tribun authority to match that of tribun authority to match that of antoninus aside from these public h antoninus aside from these public h antoninus aside from these public h throughout the 140s antoninus included throughout the 140s antoninus included throughout the 140s antoninus included Marcus in just about every aspect of his Marcus in just about every aspect of his Marcus in just about every aspect of his daily daily daily Administration the emperor admirably Administration the emperor admirably Administration the emperor admirably enough wanted Marcus to learn how to enough wanted Marcus to learn how to enough wanted Marcus to learn how to rule by staying by his side at all times rule by staying by his side at all times rule by staying by his side at all times and Marcus subsequently became an expert and Marcus subsequently became an expert and Marcus subsequently became an expert in the day-to-day bureaucratic in the day-to-day bureaucratic in the day-to-day bureaucratic responsibilities of office but there was responsibilities of office but there was responsibilities of office but there was a huge drawback to this right-hand man a huge drawback to this right-hand man a huge drawback to this right-hand man status wherever antoninus went Marcus status wherever antoninus went Marcus status wherever antoninus went Marcus followed but if antoninus did not go followed but if antoninus did not go followed but if antoninus did not go anywhere neither did Marcus anywhere neither did Marcus anywhere neither did Marcus and as we know antoninus never went and as we know antoninus never went and as we know antoninus never went anywhere this meant that the Arab parent anywhere this meant that the Arab parent anywhere this meant that the Arab parent never went abroad to help govern a never went abroad to help govern a never went abroad to help govern a province or serve in the legions or even province or serve in the legions or even province or serve in the legions or even visit the places he would one day visit the places he would one day visit the places he would one day rule he was a kept man locked up tight rule he was a kept man locked up tight rule he was a kept man locked up tight in a very small bubble it was a rich in a very small bubble it was a rich in a very small bubble it was a rich bubble and it was a powerful bubble and bubble and it was a powerful bubble and bubble and it was a powerful bubble and Marcus learned a great deal while living Marcus learned a great deal while living Marcus learned a great deal while living in it but there is no mistaking the fact in it but there is no mistaking the fact in it but there is no mistaking the fact that when it was his turn to rule he that when it was his turn to rule he that when it was his turn to rule he lacked a great deal of the Practical lacked a great deal of the Practical lacked a great deal of the Practical worldly experience that helped all the worldly experience that helped all the worldly experience that helped all the really good Emperors be really really good Emperors be really really good Emperors be really good it is to his great credit then that good it is to his great credit then that good it is to his great credit then that he was able to overcome this rather he was able to overcome this rather he was able to overcome this rather gaping hole in his gaping hole in his gaping hole in his education however if antoninus neglected education however if antoninus neglected education however if antoninus neglected a part of Marcus's education he a part of Marcus's education he a part of Marcus's education he neglected the man who would serve as neglected the man who would serve as neglected the man who would serve as Marcus's Imperial colleague alt together

Marcus's Imperial colleague alt together Marcus's Imperial colleague alt together playing the part of demission to playing the part of demission to playing the part of demission to Marcus's Titus the future Lucius virus Marcus's Titus the future Lucius virus Marcus's Titus the future Lucius virus drifted along with only the title son of drifted along with only the title son of drifted along with only the title son of Augustus to keep him company for the Augustus to keep him company for the Augustus to keep him company for the first decade and a half of antonin's first decade and a half of antonin's first decade and a half of antonin's Reign I say the future Lucius verus Reign I say the future Lucius verus Reign I say the future Lucius verus because at this point he was called because at this point he was called because at this point he was called Lucius elas orus Lucius elas orus Lucius elas orus comus he had no responsibilities No comus he had no responsibilities No comus he had no responsibilities No Authority and no expectation of Authority and no expectation of Authority and no expectation of either whatever Hadrian's wishes had either whatever Hadrian's wishes had either whatever Hadrian's wishes had been in forcing antoninus to adopt been in forcing antoninus to adopt been in forcing antoninus to adopt Lucius it was clear that antoninus Lucius it was clear that antoninus Lucius it was clear that antoninus himself had no use for the himself had no use for the himself had no use for the boy nine years Marcus's Jr Lucius was boy nine years Marcus's Jr Lucius was boy nine years Marcus's Jr Lucius was raised in the shadow of everyone his raised in the shadow of everyone his raised in the shadow of everyone his dead biological father Lucius Caesar his dead biological father Lucius Caesar his dead biological father Lucius Caesar his living adopted father antoninus and his living adopted father antoninus and his living adopted father antoninus and his favored adopted brother favored adopted brother favored adopted brother Marcus on the surface he was given the Marcus on the surface he was given the Marcus on the surface he was given the same rigorous excellent education Marcus same rigorous excellent education Marcus same rigorous excellent education Marcus received but as student to the same men received but as student to the same men received but as student to the same men who had taught his often brilliant who had taught his often brilliant who had taught his often brilliant brother the intelligent but not nearly brother the intelligent but not nearly brother the intelligent but not nearly as focused Lucius was a bit of a letdown as focused Lucius was a bit of a letdown as focused Lucius was a bit of a letdown and it seems that early on the boy and it seems that early on the boy and it seems that early on the boy sensed that the scholarly life was not sensed that the scholarly life was not sensed that the scholarly life was not for for for him while Marcus served as the right him while Marcus served as the right him while Marcus served as the right hand of antoninus the now teenage Lucius hand of antoninus the now teenage Lucius hand of antoninus the now teenage Lucius embraced the distracting world of embraced the distracting world of embraced the distracting world of chariot races gladiatorial fights the chariot races gladiatorial fights the chariot races gladiatorial fights the atrical Productions and that favorite of atrical Productions and that favorite of atrical Productions and that favorite of Roman vices Roman vices Roman vices gambling where Marcus disdained All gambling where Marcus disdained All gambling where Marcus disdained All Sport and thought taking sides unseemly Sport and thought taking sides unseemly Sport and thought taking sides unseemly Lucius enthusiastically supported the Lucius enthusiastically supported the Lucius enthusiastically supported the green faction in the chariot

green faction in the chariot green faction in the chariot races Lucius was finally brought into races Lucius was finally brought into races Lucius was finally brought into the Imperial Administration when he was the Imperial Administration when he was the Imperial Administration when he was made quaser in 152 and Consul in 15 made quaser in 152 and Consul in 15 made quaser in 152 and Consul in 15 4 forever reminding him of which son 4 forever reminding him of which son 4 forever reminding him of which son antoninus favored more though Lucius antoninus favored more though Lucius antoninus favored more though Lucius reached each office at the age of 22 and reached each office at the age of 22 and reached each office at the age of 22 and 24 respectively compared to Marcus's 17 24 respectively compared to Marcus's 17 24 respectively compared to Marcus's 17 and and and 19 as antoninus aged and Marcus more and 19 as antoninus aged and Marcus more and 19 as antoninus aged and Marcus more and more took the lead in Imperial Affairs more took the lead in Imperial Affairs more took the lead in Imperial Affairs it seemed to everyone that Lucius was it seemed to everyone that Lucius was it seemed to everyone that Lucius was destined for a comfortable life as the destined for a comfortable life as the destined for a comfortable life as the emperor's brother but not much more than emperor's brother but not much more than emperor's brother but not much more than that but when antonus finally died in that but when antonus finally died in that but when antonus finally died in March of 161 after 2 3 years on the March of 161 after 2 3 years on the March of 161 after 2 3 years on the throne a funny thing happened the Senate throne a funny thing happened the Senate throne a funny thing happened the Senate was readying an official Proclamation was readying an official Proclamation was readying an official Proclamation stating that all Imperial Authority stating that all Imperial Authority stating that all Imperial Authority would be transferred to and held solely would be transferred to and held solely would be transferred to and held solely by the dead Emperor's capable Heir the by the dead Emperor's capable Heir the by the dead Emperor's capable Heir the newly dubbed Marcus Aurelius antoninus newly dubbed Marcus Aurelius antoninus newly dubbed Marcus Aurelius antoninus Augustus Marcus himself though sent Augustus Marcus himself though sent Augustus Marcus himself though sent along word that there was a condition to along word that there was a condition to along word that there was a condition to his acceptance of authority and power his acceptance of authority and power his acceptance of authority and power his brother Lucius who hadrien had his brother Lucius who hadrien had his brother Lucius who hadrien had clearly meant to join Marcus in the clearly meant to join Marcus in the clearly meant to join Marcus in the purple must be granted the same purple must be granted the same purple must be granted the same Authority and Authority and Authority and power the Senate a bit bewildered at the power the Senate a bit bewildered at the power the Senate a bit bewildered at the request agreed to the terms in order to request agreed to the terms in order to request agreed to the terms in order to avoid a crisis of political continuity avoid a crisis of political continuity avoid a crisis of political continuity but it left everyone scratching their but it left everyone scratching their but it left everyone scratching their heads why would Marcus want to share heads why would Marcus want to share heads why would Marcus want to share power especially with Lucius whose power especially with Lucius whose power especially with Lucius whose reputation for good times was beginning reputation for good times was beginning reputation for good times was beginning to precede to precede to precede him but it seems that out of some him but it seems that out of some him but it seems that out of some lingering sense of Duty to hadrien

lingering sense of Duty to hadrien lingering sense of Duty to hadrien Marcus was not going to leave Lucius Marcus was not going to leave Lucius Marcus was not going to leave Lucius behind or perhaps he saw what the later behind or perhaps he saw what the later behind or perhaps he saw what the later Empire would see all too well one man Empire would see all too well one man Empire would see all too well one man cannot govern the whole of the cannot govern the whole of the cannot govern the whole of the Mediterranean by Mediterranean by Mediterranean by himself whatever the reasons alcius took himself whatever the reasons alcius took himself whatever the reasons alcius took his brother's unexpected yes for an his brother's unexpected yes for an his brother's unexpected yes for an answer and changed his name one last answer and changed his name one last answer and changed his name one last time to Lucius Aurelius verus Augustus time to Lucius Aurelius verus Augustus time to Lucius Aurelius verus Augustus taking up Marcus's discarded cognum and taking up Marcus's discarded cognum and taking up Marcus's discarded cognum and virus out of respect for his elder virus out of respect for his elder virus out of respect for his elder brother which is how we roundabout come brother which is how we roundabout come brother which is how we roundabout come to now calling him Lucius to now calling him Lucius to now calling him Lucius verus ironically in 160 the dying verus ironically in 160 the dying verus ironically in 160 the dying antonine had arranged for his two antonine had arranged for his two antonine had arranged for his two adopted Sons to serve a Consul ship adopted Sons to serve a Consul ship adopted Sons to serve a Consul ship together in together in together in 161 so when they jointly accepted 161 so when they jointly accepted 161 so when they jointly accepted Imperial Authority in March they had Imperial Authority in March they had Imperial Authority in March they had likely just finished serving alongside likely just finished serving alongside likely just finished serving alongside each other as the year's naming ordinary each other as the year's naming ordinary each other as the year's naming ordinary consules making 161 officially the year consules making 161 officially the year consules making 161 officially the year of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Varys of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Varys of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Varys which it very much turned out to which it very much turned out to which it very much turned out to be in most respects the two men were be in most respects the two men were be in most respects the two men were equals both held tribun Power equals both held tribun Power equals both held tribun Power proconsular Authority over the provinces proconsular Authority over the provinces proconsular Authority over the provinces etc etc ET but Marcus was clearly the etc etc ET but Marcus was clearly the etc etc ET but Marcus was clearly the first among first among first among equals he was 9 years lucius's senior equals he was 9 years lucius's senior equals he was 9 years lucius's senior had served one more consulship than his had served one more consulship than his had served one more consulship than his brother and perhaps most pointedly was brother and perhaps most pointedly was brother and perhaps most pointedly was the sitting ponteix Maximus an honor he the sitting ponteix Maximus an honor he the sitting ponteix Maximus an honor he declined to share with his declined to share with his declined to share with his brother so in practice their power brother so in practice their power brother so in practice their power sharing worked out a bit like the old sharing worked out a bit like the old sharing worked out a bit like the old dictator and master of the horse dictator and master of the horse dictator and master of the horse relationship Marcus the dictator whose

relationship Marcus the dictator whose relationship Marcus the dictator whose authority was absolute and Lucius the authority was absolute and Lucius the authority was absolute and Lucius the master of horse who ruled everyone but master of horse who ruled everyone but master of horse who ruled everyone but Marcus to whom even he Marcus to whom even he Marcus to whom even he deferred the history books like to point deferred the history books like to point deferred the history books like to point out that this was the first time the out that this was the first time the out that this was the first time the empire was ruled by co-emperors which empire was ruled by co-emperors which empire was ruled by co-emperors which would become the norm in the coming would become the norm in the coming would become the norm in the coming Century but I don't think that we should Century but I don't think that we should Century but I don't think that we should forget other critical power sharing forget other critical power sharing forget other critical power sharing agreements that served as well-known agreements that served as well-known agreements that served as well-known precedents Augustus and Marcus agria precedents Augustus and Marcus agria precedents Augustus and Marcus agria Augustus and Tiberius and in all but Augustus and Tiberius and in all but Augustus and Tiberius and in all but name Tran and nurva having been granted the Senate's nurva having been granted the Senate's blessing Marcus and Lucius went down to blessing Marcus and Lucius went down to blessing Marcus and Lucius went down to the petorian camp where they promised the petorian camp where they promised the petorian camp where they promised the largest Ascension donative in the largest Ascension donative in the largest Ascension donative in history equivalent to nearly 3 years pay history equivalent to nearly 3 years pay history equivalent to nearly 3 years pay for the soldiers and more than that for for the soldiers and more than that for for the soldiers and more than that for the the the officers the guard had not been making officers the guard had not been making officers the guard had not been making any sedici noises and was not even any sedici noises and was not even any sedici noises and was not even challenging the elevation of either man challenging the elevation of either man challenging the elevation of either man but with the two new Emperors lacking but with the two new Emperors lacking but with the two new Emperors lacking any experience or rapport with the any experience or rapport with the any experience or rapport with the legions it was perhaps prudent to legions it was perhaps prudent to legions it was perhaps prudent to overwhelm any doubts that might creep overwhelm any doubts that might creep overwhelm any doubts that might creep into their heads down the road with an into their heads down the road with an into their heads down the road with an enormous chunk of cash up front it did enormous chunk of cash up front it did enormous chunk of cash up front it did the trick the trick the trick the provincial Legions would be taken the provincial Legions would be taken the provincial Legions would be taken care of in due course but Marcus and care of in due course but Marcus and care of in due course but Marcus and Lucius left the petorian camp secure in Lucius left the petorian camp secure in Lucius left the petorian camp secure in the knowledge that the only armed men the knowledge that the only armed men the knowledge that the only armed men within 500 miles of Rome were firmly on within 500 miles of Rome were firmly on within 500 miles of Rome were firmly on their side all in all the New Emperor's first side all in all the New Emperor's first day in power went swimmingly and closed day in power went swimmingly and closed day in power went swimmingly and closed without any major disasters or crises without any major disasters or crises without any major disasters or crises erupting and at least for that one day

erupting and at least for that one day erupting and at least for that one day it seemed like their joint rain might it seemed like their joint rain might it seemed like their joint rain might turn out to be a pleasant continuation turn out to be a pleasant continuation turn out to be a pleasant continuation of antoninus of antoninus of antoninus for the scholarly introspective Marcus for the scholarly introspective Marcus for the scholarly introspective Marcus and the funloving Lucius an Empire at and the funloving Lucius an Empire at and the funloving Lucius an Empire at peace meant that they would be left free peace meant that they would be left free peace meant that they would be left free to pursue whatever particular Pleasures to pursue whatever particular Pleasures to pursue whatever particular Pleasures actually interested them Marcus could actually interested them Marcus could actually interested them Marcus could read and think Lucius could drink and read and think Lucius could drink and read and think Lucius could drink and gamble but unfortunately unbeknownst to gamble but unfortunately unbeknownst to gamble but unfortunately unbeknownst to them the Golden Age of antoninus was them the Golden Age of antoninus was them the Golden Age of antoninus was already already already dead day one may have come and Gone dead day one may have come and Gone dead day one may have come and Gone without incident but that would prove to without incident but that would prove to without incident but that would prove to be the exception rather than the rule be the exception rather than the rule be the exception rather than the rule the Jo reign of Marcus aelius and Lucius the Jo reign of Marcus aelius and Lucius the Jo reign of Marcus aelius and Lucius Fus was one of near continuous War Fus was one of near continuous War Fus was one of near continuous War plague and disaster right away the peace was disaster right away the peace was shattered by a newly aggressive shattered by a newly aggressive shattered by a newly aggressive Parthia the parthan king vosis appears Parthia the parthan king vosis appears Parthia the parthan king vosis appears to have been biting his time waiting for to have been biting his time waiting for to have been biting his time waiting for antoninus to die so he could jump the antoninus to die so he could jump the antoninus to die so he could jump the Romans while they were absorbed with the Romans while they were absorbed with the Romans while they were absorbed with the transfer of transfer of transfer of power Marcus had tried to avoid just power Marcus had tried to avoid just power Marcus had tried to avoid just this sort of incident by leaving most of this sort of incident by leaving most of this sort of incident by leaving most of antoninus key Eastern governors in place antoninus key Eastern governors in place antoninus key Eastern governors in place so that there would be continuity of so that there would be continuity of so that there would be continuity of leadership on the leadership on the leadership on the Frontiers but it's possible that volosi Frontiers but it's possible that volosi Frontiers but it's possible that volosi read this to mean that the new Emperors read this to mean that the new Emperors read this to mean that the new Emperors were weak and that now more than ever were weak and that now more than ever were weak and that now more than ever the Roman Empire was a paper tiger ready the Roman Empire was a paper tiger ready the Roman Empire was a paper tiger ready to be kicked to be kicked to be kicked around so he led an army across the around so he led an army across the around so he led an army across the border into Armenia deposed the Roman border into Armenia deposed the Roman border into Armenia deposed the Roman approved King appointed his own man and approved King appointed his own man and approved King appointed his own man and dare the Romans to do anything about

dare the Romans to do anything about dare the Romans to do anything about it with Rome once again on the verge of it with Rome once again on the verge of it with Rome once again on the verge of war with Parthia I think we should stop war with Parthia I think we should stop war with Parthia I think we should stop for a second and answer one of the for a second and answer one of the for a second and answer one of the questions I couldn't get to last week questions I couldn't get to last week questions I couldn't get to last week which was suggested by a few people but which was suggested by a few people but which was suggested by a few people but first asked by honel Brook can you give first asked by honel Brook can you give first asked by honel Brook can you give a brief historical outline of the a brief historical outline of the a brief historical outline of the Persian parthan Empire why yes I think I Persian parthan Empire why yes I think I Persian parthan Empire why yes I think I can the parthians have been popping in can the parthians have been popping in can the parthians have been popping in and out of our narrative for a long and out of our narrative for a long and out of our narrative for a long while now first appearing way back in while now first appearing way back in while now first appearing way back in episode 37 as lukullus led the initial episode 37 as lukullus led the initial episode 37 as lukullus led the initial offensive of the third mithraic war but offensive of the third mithraic war but offensive of the third mithraic war but you're right I never really stopped to you're right I never really stopped to you're right I never really stopped to tell you who the parthians actually were tell you who the parthians actually were tell you who the parthians actually were so I want to finish this week by so I want to finish this week by so I want to finish this week by correcting that correcting that correcting that oversight the thing that makes it oversight the thing that makes it oversight the thing that makes it difficult is that the parthians left us difficult is that the parthians left us difficult is that the parthians left us very little in the way of written very little in the way of written very little in the way of written records we know far more about the seusd records we know far more about the seusd records we know far more about the seusd who preceded them and the cids who who preceded them and the cids who who preceded them and the cids who succeeded them than we do about the succeeded them than we do about the succeeded them than we do about the parthians themselves that being said parthians themselves that being said parthians themselves that being said here's some stuff that we do here's some stuff that we do here's some stuff that we do know the largest Empire in the history know the largest Empire in the history know the largest Empire in the history of the ancient world world had been the of the ancient world world had been the of the ancient world world had been the old Persian Empire or more properly the old Persian Empire or more properly the old Persian Empire or more properly the aate Empire founded in 550 BC and which aate Empire founded in 550 BC and which aate Empire founded in 550 BC and which at its height controlled all the at its height controlled all the at its height controlled all the Territory between India and the ionian Territory between India and the ionian Territory between India and the ionian Sea this was the Empire of Darius and Sea this was the Empire of Darius and Sea this was the Empire of Darius and Xerxes and the Empire that had tried to Xerxes and the Empire that had tried to Xerxes and the Empire that had tried to envelop the Greeks in the 400s BC envelop the Greeks in the 400s BC envelop the Greeks in the 400s BC leading to some of the most legendary leading to some of the most legendary leading to some of the most legendary battles in the history of the Western battles in the history of the Western battles in the history of the Western World Marathon thermopolymerization

seemingly insurmountable odds been seemingly insurmountable odds been driven off the Greeks never forgave or driven off the Greeks never forgave or driven off the Greeks never forgave or forgot the terrible destruction The forgot the terrible destruction The forgot the terrible destruction The Invasion had Invasion had Invasion had caused in the 350s BC the Greek world caused in the 350s BC the Greek world caused in the 350s BC the Greek world became dominated by the Macedonian King became dominated by the Macedonian King became dominated by the Macedonian King Philip II and then his son Alexander yes Philip II and then his son Alexander yes Philip II and then his son Alexander yes that that that Alexander still nursing the Greek Grudge Alexander still nursing the Greek Grudge Alexander still nursing the Greek Grudge Alexander launched himself East in 334 Alexander launched himself East in 334 Alexander launched himself East in 334 BC and took revenge on the BC and took revenge on the BC and took revenge on the Persians over the course of the next Persians over the course of the next Persians over the course of the next decade he sliced through Persia like a decade he sliced through Persia like a decade he sliced through Persia like a hot knife through butter tossed out the hot knife through butter tossed out the hot knife through butter tossed out the AIDS and then pushed his way to AIDS and then pushed his way to AIDS and then pushed his way to India when he died in 323 BC the huge India when he died in 323 BC the huge India when he died in 323 BC the huge Macedonian empire was divided not at all Macedonian empire was divided not at all Macedonian empire was divided not at all amicably between Alexander's amicably between Alexander's amicably between Alexander's generals most of the old Persian Empire generals most of the old Persian Empire generals most of the old Persian Empire was seized by the general ccus who was seized by the general ccus who was seized by the general ccus who founded Antioch and forged an Eastern H founded Antioch and forged an Eastern H founded Antioch and forged an Eastern H helenic kingdom known as the CID Empire helenic kingdom known as the CID Empire helenic kingdom known as the CID Empire which ruled Persia until the rise of the which ruled Persia until the rise of the which ruled Persia until the rise of the parthians in the mid2 200s BC parthians in the mid2 200s BC parthians in the mid2 200s BC the parthians took their name from the the parthians took their name from the the parthians took their name from the northeastern satrapy of the cusd Empire northeastern satrapy of the cusd Empire northeastern satrapy of the cusd Empire from which they from which they from which they arose in around 247 BC a Central Asian arose in around 247 BC a Central Asian arose in around 247 BC a Central Asian nomadic tribe called the parney invaded nomadic tribe called the parney invaded nomadic tribe called the parney invaded and took control of Parthia which was and took control of Parthia which was and took control of Parthia which was already in revolt against cusd already in revolt against cusd already in revolt against cusd domination the cusd at this point were domination the cusd at this point were domination the cusd at this point were caught up in a war with toic Egypt and caught up in a war with toic Egypt and caught up in a war with toic Egypt and the parney tribe were able to cement the parney tribe were able to cement the parney tribe were able to cement their power over Parthia un their power over Parthia un their power over Parthia un opposed when things in the west settled opposed when things in the west settled opposed when things in the west settled down the solution King was able to turn down the solution King was able to turn down the solution King was able to turn East and attempted to reassert control

East and attempted to reassert control East and attempted to reassert control over his lost SAT tropy but by then it over his lost SAT tropy but by then it over his lost SAT tropy but by then it was too late a peace settlement left the was too late a peace settlement left the was too late a peace settlement left the rising Northeastern power nominally a rising Northeastern power nominally a rising Northeastern power nominally a client Kingdom but a highly independent client Kingdom but a highly independent client Kingdom but a highly independent one from the60s to the40s though an one from the60s to the40s though an one from the60s to the40s though an ambitious parthan King named myth radus ambitious parthan King named myth radus ambitious parthan King named myth radus the first of Parthia swept East reaching the first of Parthia swept East reaching the first of Parthia swept East reaching besieging and conquering all of the besieging and conquering all of the besieging and conquering all of the territory up to and including territory up to and including territory up to and including Babylon in 139 Babylon in 139 Babylon in 139 mithradates captured the seusd king mithradates captured the seusd king mithradates captured the seusd king Demetrius effectively silencing cusd Demetrius effectively silencing cusd Demetrius effectively silencing cusd claims to anything east of the claims to anything east of the claims to anything east of the Euphrates but the Old helenic Kingdom Euphrates but the Old helenic Kingdom Euphrates but the Old helenic Kingdom now consisting only of Antioch and its now consisting only of Antioch and its now consisting only of Antioch and its surrounding territory was left intact by surrounding territory was left intact by surrounding territory was left intact by The parthians Who Saw the territory as a The parthians Who Saw the territory as a The parthians Who Saw the territory as a convenient buffer zone between them and convenient buffer zone between them and convenient buffer zone between them and the rising Roman Menace sweeping out of the rising Roman Menace sweeping out of the rising Roman Menace sweeping out of the the the West this was basically where things West this was basically where things West this was basically where things stood as pompy led his Legions around stood as pompy led his Legions around stood as pompy led his Legions around the bend into Syria during the Eastern the bend into Syria during the Eastern the bend into Syria during the Eastern camp campaign of the 60s camp campaign of the 60s camp campaign of the 60s BC confident in the might of Rome pompy BC confident in the might of Rome pompy BC confident in the might of Rome pompy had no compunctions about sharing a had no compunctions about sharing a had no compunctions about sharing a border with the now firmly established border with the now firmly established border with the now firmly established parthan Empire deposed the last seusd parthan Empire deposed the last seusd parthan Empire deposed the last seusd king and turned Syria into a Roman king and turned Syria into a Roman king and turned Syria into a Roman province for the next 300 or so years province for the next 300 or so years province for the next 300 or so years the Romans and parthians lived as the Romans and parthians lived as the Romans and parthians lived as sometimes hostile and sometimes peaceful sometimes hostile and sometimes peaceful sometimes hostile and sometimes peaceful Neighbors after the massive defeats of Neighbors after the massive defeats of Neighbors after the massive defeats of crus and Mark Anthony the Romans crus and Mark Anthony the Romans crus and Mark Anthony the Romans basically sheld the idea of expanding basically sheld the idea of expanding basically sheld the idea of expanding further east and apart from their further east and apart from their further east and apart from their persistent attempts to gain the upper persistent attempts to gain the upper persistent attempts to gain the upper hand in Armenia the parthians never

hand in Armenia the parthians never hand in Armenia the parthians never seriously contemplated further expansion seriously contemplated further expansion seriously contemplated further expansion West the border between the two great West the border between the two great West the border between the two great Powers was set at the Euphrates river Powers was set at the Euphrates river Powers was set at the Euphrates river and each settled in to enjoying the and each settled in to enjoying the and each settled in to enjoying the fruits of their particular fruits of their particular fruits of their particular Empires for the parthians the fruits of Empires for the parthians the fruits of Empires for the parthians the fruits of their empire were primarily harvested their empire were primarily harvested their empire were primarily harvested along the Silk along the Silk along the Silk Road as I mentioned last week just as Road as I mentioned last week just as Road as I mentioned last week just as the Romans were rising in the west and the Romans were rising in the west and the Romans were rising in the west and the parthians were rising in Central the parthians were rising in Central the parthians were rising in Central Asia the Han were rising in the East and Asia the Han were rising in the East and Asia the Han were rising in the East and the great Overland trade route known as the great Overland trade route known as the great Overland trade route known as the Silk Road began to the Silk Road began to the Silk Road began to form the entire West Central leg of the form the entire West Central leg of the form the entire West Central leg of the Silk Road including any and all Spurs Silk Road including any and all Spurs Silk Road including any and all Spurs passed through parthian territory and as passed through parthian territory and as passed through parthian territory and as a result most of the revenue coming into a result most of the revenue coming into a result most of the revenue coming into the central parthan treasury was derived the central parthan treasury was derived the central parthan treasury was derived from the taxes they charged traders to from the taxes they charged traders to from the taxes they charged traders to get from here to there with their highly get from here to there with their highly get from here to there with their highly decentralized governmental apparatus decentralized governmental apparatus decentralized governmental apparatus which left most provinces relatively which left most provinces relatively which left most provinces relatively autonomous the money coming coming in autonomous the money coming coming in autonomous the money coming coming in from the Import and Export duties was from the Import and Export duties was from the Import and Export duties was the one steady source of income for the the one steady source of income for the the one steady source of income for the central government and as a result the central government and as a result the central government and as a result the overriding political and economic overriding political and economic overriding political and economic imperative for the parthians was imperative for the parthians was imperative for the parthians was maintaining their Monopoly of the trade maintaining their Monopoly of the trade maintaining their Monopoly of the trade roads of course this meant that one of roads of course this meant that one of roads of course this meant that one of the overriding political and economic the overriding political and economic the overriding political and economic imperatives of the Eastern Roman Empire imperatives of the Eastern Roman Empire imperatives of the Eastern Roman Empire was figuring out a way to crack that was figuring out a way to crack that was figuring out a way to crack that parthan Monopoly and some have argued parthan Monopoly and some have argued parthan Monopoly and some have argued that this is exactly what was on Tran's that this is exactly what was on Tran's that this is exactly what was on Tran's mind as he headed off to invade mind as he headed off to invade mind as he headed off to invade Mesopotamia in 115 Mesopotamia in 115 Mesopotamia in 115 that campaign you'll recall eventually that campaign you'll recall eventually that campaign you'll recall eventually found the Romans in control of Cher a

found the Romans in control of Cher a found the Romans in control of Cher a port along the Persian Gulf which had port along the Persian Gulf which had port along the Persian Gulf which had the Romans kept it could have been one the Romans kept it could have been one the Romans kept it could have been one of the keys to Breaking the parthan of the keys to Breaking the parthan of the keys to Breaking the parthan Monopoly but hadrien surmised that the Monopoly but hadrien surmised that the Monopoly but hadrien surmised that the benefits far outweighed the costs and benefits far outweighed the costs and benefits far outweighed the costs and retreated back to the retreated back to the retreated back to the Mediterranean some argued then and argue Mediterranean some argued then and argue Mediterranean some argued then and argue today that hadrien should have shown today that hadrien should have shown today that hadrien should have shown stiffer resolve but others point out stiffer resolve but others point out stiffer resolve but others point out that the parthians had been caught up in that the parthians had been caught up in that the parthians had been caught up in one of their frequent dynastic struggles one of their frequent dynastic struggles one of their frequent dynastic struggles during Tran's campaign and once their during Tran's campaign and once their during Tran's campaign and once their internal disputes were settled that the internal disputes were settled that the internal disputes were settled that the Romans would have found the parthians Romans would have found the parthians Romans would have found the parthians themselves showing much stiffer resolve themselves showing much stiffer resolve themselves showing much stiffer resolve than traan had than traan had than traan had encountered when parth was politically encountered when parth was politically encountered when parth was politically fractured as it frequently was because fractured as it frequently was because fractured as it frequently was because of their decentralized structure it of their decentralized structure it of their decentralized structure it could be steamrolled easily but United could be steamrolled easily but United could be steamrolled easily but United it had obliterated some of the largest it had obliterated some of the largest it had obliterated some of the largest armies Rome had ever armies Rome had ever armies Rome had ever assembled in 161 the parthians were once assembled in 161 the parthians were once assembled in 161 the parthians were once again United under the rule of volosi i again United under the rule of volosi i again United under the rule of volosi i 4 who had watched the Romans under 4 who had watched the Romans under 4 who had watched the Romans under hadrien and then antoninus undertake no hadrien and then antoninus undertake no hadrien and then antoninus undertake no meaningful military operations for meaningful military operations for meaningful military operations for decades the Eastern Legions by the decades the Eastern Legions by the decades the Eastern Legions by the parthan king's estimation had gotten fat parthan king's estimation had gotten fat parthan king's estimation had gotten fat and complacent after nearly 40 Years of and complacent after nearly 40 Years of and complacent after nearly 40 Years of inactivity emboldened by his own inactivity emboldened by his own inactivity emboldened by his own reunification of the eastern and western reunification of the eastern and western reunification of the eastern and western halves of the parthian Empire volosi halves of the parthian Empire volosi halves of the parthian Empire volosi revived the ages old parthan dream of revived the ages old parthan dream of revived the ages old parthan dream of controlling controlling controlling Armenia perhaps it was time to test Armenia perhaps it was time to test Armenia perhaps it was time to test whether or not the legendary Roman whether or not the legendary Roman whether or not the legendary Roman invincibility which had often met its invincibility which had often met its invincibility which had often met its match in the parthians anyway was still match in the parthians anyway was still match in the parthians anyway was still a living fact or whether it was now

a living fact or whether it was now a living fact or whether it was now simply a myth for the simply a myth for the simply a myth for the ages and with the elevation of two ages and with the elevation of two ages and with the elevation of two military novices to the Roman Throne the military novices to the Roman Throne the military novices to the Roman Throne the iron was never going to be iron was never going to be iron was never going to be hotter next week the parthians will hotter next week the parthians will hotter next week the parthians will strike and Rome will quickly find itself strike and Rome will quickly find itself strike and Rome will quickly find itself embroiled in its first major foreign war embroiled in its first major foreign war embroiled in its first major foreign war in two in two in two generations following the pattern of so generations following the pattern of so generations following the pattern of so many Roman wars things will go from bad many Roman wars things will go from bad many Roman wars things will go from bad to worse at the outset of the conflict to worse at the outset of the conflict to worse at the outset of the conflict at which point the Romans will rally to at which point the Romans will rally to at which point the Romans will rally to Victory and prove once again that while Victory and prove once again that while Victory and prove once again that while messing with Rome always seems like a messing with Rome always seems like a messing with Rome always seems like a good idea it never ever pays at least good idea it never ever pays at least good idea it never ever pays at least not yet not yet not yet [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 92 the parthan Rome episode 92 the parthan Rome episode 92 the parthan war when Marcus and Lucius became war when Marcus and Lucius became war when Marcus and Lucius became co-emperors in 161 the borders of the co-emperors in 161 the borders of the co-emperors in 161 the borders of the Roman Empire had been quiet for more Roman Empire had been quiet for more Roman Empire had been quiet for more than 40 years sure there were periodic r than 40 years sure there were periodic r than 40 years sure there were periodic r from the nomadic tribes living beyond from the nomadic tribes living beyond from the nomadic tribes living beyond the frontier but for the most part Rome the frontier but for the most part Rome the frontier but for the most part Rome had not dealt with a major foreign had not dealt with a major foreign had not dealt with a major foreign threat in decades that was about to

threat in decades that was about to threat in decades that was about to change just minutes after taking office change just minutes after taking office change just minutes after taking office the new Emperors found themselves facing the new Emperors found themselves facing the new Emperors found themselves facing war with Parthia in the East and after war with Parthia in the East and after war with Parthia in the East and after dispatching that threat they were forced dispatching that threat they were forced dispatching that threat they were forced to immediately turn north and fight like to immediately turn north and fight like to immediately turn north and fight like mad to protect the danu mad to protect the danu mad to protect the danu provinces ironically the two Emperors provinces ironically the two Emperors provinces ironically the two Emperors who between them had served not a single who between them had served not a single who between them had served not a single day in the legions spent the majority of day in the legions spent the majority of day in the legions spent the majority of their Reigns out on the front lines their Reigns out on the front lines their Reigns out on the front lines leading Rome's army in a running battle leading Rome's army in a running battle leading Rome's army in a running battle to ward off Foreign to ward off Foreign to ward off Foreign encroachment today I want to focus on encroachment today I want to focus on encroachment today I want to focus on the initial threat posed by a newly the initial threat posed by a newly the initial threat posed by a newly resurgent parthan Empire in the East resurgent parthan Empire in the East resurgent parthan Empire in the East while next time we'll get into marcus' while next time we'll get into marcus' while next time we'll get into marcus' long war on the danu against a forever long war on the danu against a forever long war on the danu against a forever shifting Coalition of German shifting Coalition of German shifting Coalition of German tribes in the years after Tran's tribes in the years after Tran's tribes in the years after Tran's invasion of Mesopotamia in 115 the invasion of Mesopotamia in 115 the invasion of Mesopotamia in 115 the parthians had been divided internally parthians had been divided internally parthians had been divided internally and had neither the time the resources and had neither the time the resources and had neither the time the resources nor the ambition to to make trouble for nor the ambition to to make trouble for nor the ambition to to make trouble for Rome but in the late 140s a parthan Rome but in the late 140s a parthan Rome but in the late 140s a parthan claimant to the throne named volosi IV claimant to the throne named volosi IV claimant to the throne named volosi IV succeeded in reuniting what had become succeeded in reuniting what had become succeeded in reuniting what had become two distinct eastern and western halves two distinct eastern and western halves two distinct eastern and western halves of his Empire Riding High from this of his Empire Riding High from this of his Empire Riding High from this domestic Victory vosis began casting his domestic Victory vosis began casting his domestic Victory vosis began casting his ambition into deeper ambition into deeper ambition into deeper waters in the early 150s he reasserted waters in the early 150s he reasserted waters in the early 150s he reasserted control over chars the Persian Gulf City control over chars the Persian Gulf City control over chars the Persian Gulf City I mentioned last week that had been I mentioned last week that had been I mentioned last week that had been enjoying Independence since the enjoying Independence since the enjoying Independence since the withdrawal of the Romans in 118 withdrawal of the Romans in 118 withdrawal of the Romans in 118 taking back the small Kingdom without taking back the small Kingdom without taking back the small Kingdom without difficulty or a peep from Roman difficulty or a peep from Roman difficulty or a peep from Roman diplomats emboldened vasis To Tread diplomats emboldened vasis To Tread diplomats emboldened vasis To Tread still further afar and this is how still further afar and this is how still further afar and this is how Armenia once again became the cause of

Armenia once again became the cause of Armenia once again became the cause of conflict between the two great conflict between the two great conflict between the two great empires in the mid to late 150s aasis empires in the mid to late 150s aasis empires in the mid to late 150s aasis began making noise that he was unhappy began making noise that he was unhappy began making noise that he was unhappy with the political status quo along the with the political status quo along the with the political status quo along the border which of course gave fit to the border which of course gave fit to the border which of course gave fit to the patron saint of the status quo antonas patron saint of the status quo antonas patron saint of the status quo antonas Pas it is reported that as he Lay Dying Pas it is reported that as he Lay Dying Pas it is reported that as he Lay Dying antonin's final thoughts were consumed antonin's final thoughts were consumed antonin's final thoughts were consumed by the treachery of various foreign by the treachery of various foreign by the treachery of various foreign Kings who he felt had wronged him over Kings who he felt had wronged him over Kings who he felt had wronged him over the years and that he railed against the years and that he railed against the years and that he railed against vasis in particular for making deceitful vasis in particular for making deceitful vasis in particular for making deceitful trouble where no deceitful trouble ought trouble where no deceitful trouble ought trouble where no deceitful trouble ought to be to be to be made what in particular the dying made what in particular the dying made what in particular the dying Emperor was referring to as unknown but Emperor was referring to as unknown but Emperor was referring to as unknown but the Swift invasion of Armenia the the Swift invasion of Armenia the the Swift invasion of Armenia the parthan king led following antonin's parthan king led following antonin's parthan king led following antonin's death leaves little doubt that the death leaves little doubt that the death leaves little doubt that the emperor was not just ranting emperor was not just ranting emperor was not just ranting deliriously fosis was clearly aiming to deliriously fosis was clearly aiming to deliriously fosis was clearly aiming to reshape the border between Rome and reshape the border between Rome and reshape the border between Rome and Parthia whether he always intended a Parthia whether he always intended a Parthia whether he always intended a military confrontation as unknown but as military confrontation as unknown but as military confrontation as unknown but as I said at the close of last week's I said at the close of last week's I said at the close of last week's episode the rise of two men without a episode the rise of two men without a episode the rise of two men without a Gladius to their name seems to have Gladius to their name seems to have Gladius to their name seems to have tipped the scales in favor of taking by tipped the scales in favor of taking by tipped the scales in favor of taking by force what could not be peacefully force what could not be peacefully force what could not be peacefully agreed agreed agreed to up to this point ai's life and career to up to this point ai's life and career to up to this point ai's life and career had been one of continuous success and had been one of continuous success and had been one of continuous success and there was no reason for him to think there was no reason for him to think there was no reason for him to think that this new campaign would be any that this new campaign would be any that this new campaign would be any different and at the outset of the War different and at the outset of the War different and at the outset of the War events seemed to give the parthan King events seemed to give the parthan King events seemed to give the parthan King still less to pause over Rome blundered still less to pause over Rome blundered still less to pause over Rome blundered its way from defeat to defeat its its way from defeat to defeat its its way from defeat to defeat its leaders weak and its Legion leaders weak and its Legion leaders weak and its Legion soft probably unsure of what his

soft probably unsure of what his soft probably unsure of what his prodding would provoke volosi had to prodding would provoke volosi had to prodding would provoke volosi had to have been thrilled at the anemic Roman have been thrilled at the anemic Roman have been thrilled at the anemic Roman response crazy as it sounds as the rate response crazy as it sounds as the rate response crazy as it sounds as the rate things were going it was not entirely things were going it was not entirely things were going it was not entirely out of the question that the parthians out of the question that the parthians out of the question that the parthians might just be able to snatch the entire might just be able to snatch the entire might just be able to snatch the entire Eastern Mediterranean Eastern Mediterranean Eastern Mediterranean Coast in the summer of 161 aasi LED an Coast in the summer of 161 aasi LED an Coast in the summer of 161 aasi LED an army into Armenia deposed the Roman army into Armenia deposed the Roman army into Armenia deposed the Roman approved King and appointed one of his approved King and appointed one of his approved King and appointed one of his own countrymen own countrymen own countrymen Monarch the legions in the East did not Monarch the legions in the East did not Monarch the legions in the East did not need to wait for instructions from the need to wait for instructions from the need to wait for instructions from the emperor to begin making preparations for emperor to begin making preparations for emperor to begin making preparations for war the governor of capadia in this case war the governor of capadia in this case war the governor of capadia in this case Marcus sedus sanis was the Roman Marcus sedus sanis was the Roman Marcus sedus sanis was the Roman official tasked with keeping watch over official tasked with keeping watch over official tasked with keeping watch over Armenia and you'll recall from our tour Armenia and you'll recall from our tour Armenia and you'll recall from our tour of the Empire he had two Legions of the Empire he had two Legions of the Empire he had two Legions stationed on the Armenian border at his stationed on the Armenian border at his stationed on the Armenian border at his disposal to help him neutralize any disposal to help him neutralize any disposal to help him neutralize any threat threat threat overall strategic command of the Eastern overall strategic command of the Eastern overall strategic command of the Eastern Legions though fell to the governor of Legions though fell to the governor of Legions though fell to the governor of Syria in this case Lucius a tious Syria in this case Lucius a tious Syria in this case Lucius a tious Cornelius both men had been at their Cornelius both men had been at their Cornelius both men had been at their respective posts for years and were kept respective posts for years and were kept respective posts for years and were kept on by Marcus following the death of on by Marcus following the death of on by Marcus following the death of antoninus to ensure the stability of the antoninus to ensure the stability of the antoninus to ensure the stability of the East would not be disrupted while he and East would not be disrupted while he and East would not be disrupted while he and Lucius settled into Lucius settled into Lucius settled into power but whatever their experience and power but whatever their experience and power but whatever their experience and qualifications both men proved unequal qualifications both men proved unequal qualifications both men proved unequal to the task at hand SAR Onis on the front lines in capid SAR Onis on the front lines in capid doia witnessed the southern parthan doia witnessed the southern parthan doia witnessed the southern parthan Invasion and immediately huddled with Invasion and immediately huddled with Invasion and immediately huddled with his advisers to plan the initial Roman his advisers to plan the initial Roman his advisers to plan the initial Roman response unfortunately the capid Doan

response unfortunately the capid Doan response unfortunately the capid Doan Governor had lately come under the Governor had lately come under the Governor had lately come under the influence of an Infamous mystical influence of an Infamous mystical influence of an Infamous mystical Charlotte named Charlotte named Charlotte named Alexander not that this was a totally Alexander not that this was a totally Alexander not that this was a totally crazy thing to have had happen Alexander crazy thing to have had happen Alexander crazy thing to have had happen Alexander had by this point fashioned himself into had by this point fashioned himself into had by this point fashioned himself into a rich and famous Oracle who spoke a rich and famous Oracle who spoke a rich and famous Oracle who spoke Divine prophecies on behalf of a python Divine prophecies on behalf of a python Divine prophecies on behalf of a python named glycon who Alexander claimed was a named glycon who Alexander claimed was a named glycon who Alexander claimed was a new fertility God by the 160s Alexander new fertility God by the 160s Alexander new fertility God by the 160s Alexander was not only the father-in-law of a was not only the father-in-law of a was not only the father-in-law of a Roman Senator but his cult had grown to Roman Senator but his cult had grown to Roman Senator but his cult had grown to rival that of the epicurian and the rival that of the epicurian and the rival that of the epicurian and the Christians and he counted a number of Christians and he counted a number of Christians and he counted a number of aristocratic Romans as his aristocratic Romans as his aristocratic Romans as his friend so the fact the governor of capid friend so the fact the governor of capid friend so the fact the governor of capid dohia consulted Alexander about the dohia consulted Alexander about the dohia consulted Alexander about the situation in Armenia was not a huge situation in Armenia was not a huge situation in Armenia was not a huge breach of Sanity lots of people believed breach of Sanity lots of people believed breach of Sanity lots of people believed in Alexander s very Onis was just one of in Alexander s very Onis was just one of in Alexander s very Onis was just one of them Alexander told s very Hest that if them Alexander told s very Hest that if them Alexander told s very Hest that if the Romans counterattacked right away the Romans counterattacked right away the Romans counterattacked right away that the governor would score an easy that the governor would score an easy that the governor would score an easy Victory and Come Away with riches and Victory and Come Away with riches and Victory and Come Away with riches and fame to match those of the greatest fame to match those of the greatest fame to match those of the greatest Roman Roman Roman generals understandably excited by this generals understandably excited by this generals understandably excited by this response sanis led a legion across the response sanis led a legion across the response sanis led a legion across the border practically the next border practically the next border practically the next day but sadly for the Romans in general day but sadly for the Romans in general day but sadly for the Romans in general and sanas in particular Alexander was and sanas in particular Alexander was and sanas in particular Alexander was more profit with an F than profit with a more profit with an F than profit with a more profit with an F than profit with a pH and just 3 days after entering pH and just 3 days after entering pH and just 3 days after entering Armenia the legion under sanis was Armenia the legion under sanis was Armenia the legion under sanis was cornered the mountains by a much larger cornered the mountains by a much larger cornered the mountains by a much larger Armenian force and wiped out sanis after Armenian force and wiped out sanis after Armenian force and wiped out sanis after a long and distinguished career a long and distinguished career a long and distinguished career committed committed committed suicide the situation in Syria suicide the situation in Syria suicide the situation in Syria compounded this initial

compounded this initial compounded this initial embarrassment Cornel Onis who had been embarrassment Cornel Onis who had been embarrassment Cornel Onis who had been proconsul of Syria for almost 5 years proconsul of Syria for almost 5 years proconsul of Syria for almost 5 years and was presumably a competent and was presumably a competent and was presumably a competent administrator in general led a administrator in general led a administrator in general led a disorganized attack against parthian disorganized attack against parthian disorganized attack against parthian forces massed along the eastern border forces massed along the eastern border forces massed along the eastern border and was soundly and was soundly and was soundly defeated with one of the capian Legions defeated with one of the capian Legions defeated with one of the capian Legions destroyed and the Syrian Legions now destroyed and the Syrian Legions now destroyed and the Syrian Legions now nursing both physical and psychological nursing both physical and psychological nursing both physical and psychological wounds the parthians looked poised to wounds the parthians looked poised to wounds the parthians looked poised to deal the Empire its first major deal the Empire its first major deal the Empire its first major territorial loss since practically the territorial loss since practically the territorial loss since practically the founding of founding of founding of Rome unlike the fine and dandy closing Rome unlike the fine and dandy closing Rome unlike the fine and dandy closing to their first day in power the close of to their first day in power the close of to their first day in power the close of Marcus and lucius's first year in power Marcus and lucius's first year in power Marcus and lucius's first year in power was an altogether different was an altogether different was an altogether different story during the winter of story during the winter of story during the winter of 16162 there had to be a very palpable 16162 there had to be a very palpable 16162 there had to be a very palpable feeling of doubt about the future of the feeling of doubt about the future of the feeling of doubt about the future of the Empire would lifelong civilians like Empire would lifelong civilians like Empire would lifelong civilians like Marcus and Lucius be able to respond Marcus and Lucius be able to respond Marcus and Lucius be able to respond effectively to this major military effectively to this major military effectively to this major military crisis what if the parthians decided to crisis what if the parthians decided to crisis what if the parthians decided to invade Syria and inexperienced Emperors invade Syria and inexperienced Emperors invade Syria and inexperienced Emperors aside would the supposedly seasoned aside would the supposedly seasoned aside would the supposedly seasoned Professionals in the Army be able to Professionals in the Army be able to Professionals in the Army be able to respond effectively because so far respond effectively because so far respond effectively because so far clearly they had not so what did that clearly they had not so what did that clearly they had not so what did that mean but one thing Rome always had going mean but one thing Rome always had going mean but one thing Rome always had going for it was a deep talent pool from which for it was a deep talent pool from which for it was a deep talent pool from which to draw its leaders and a large enough to draw its leaders and a large enough to draw its leaders and a large enough population that refilling a depleted population that refilling a depleted population that refilling a depleted Legion was just an imperial edict away Legion was just an imperial edict away Legion was just an imperial edict away well at least for the moment we'll get well at least for the moment we'll get well at least for the moment we'll get into the rotten effects of the antonine into the rotten effects of the antonine into the rotten effects of the antonine plague here in a plague here in a plague here in a second Marcus ordered the capable second Marcus ordered the capable second Marcus ordered the capable governor of Britain Marcus stadius governor of Britain Marcus stadius governor of Britain Marcus stadius priscus into capid doia and to help the

priscus into capid doia and to help the priscus into capid doia and to help the new governor reassert dominion over new governor reassert dominion over new governor reassert dominion over Armenia let priscus pick up legionary Armenia let priscus pick up legionary Armenia let priscus pick up legionary detachments from marine and danu along detachments from marine and danu along detachments from marine and danu along the way so that when he arrived in capid the way so that when he arrived in capid the way so that when he arrived in capid doia he had the manpower to complete his doia he had the manpower to complete his doia he had the manpower to complete his mission Marcus also shifted threefold mission Marcus also shifted threefold mission Marcus also shifted threefold Legion from the r to the danu to Syria Legion from the r to the danu to Syria Legion from the r to the danu to Syria which while necessary to fight the which while necessary to fight the which while necessary to fight the present hot war with Parthia would not present hot war with Parthia would not present hot war with Parthia would not go unnoticed by the German tribes to the go unnoticed by the German tribes to the go unnoticed by the German tribes to the north Marcus initially sent his cousin north Marcus initially sent his cousin north Marcus initially sent his cousin Marcus anus Libo to Syria to take over Marcus anus Libo to Syria to take over Marcus anus Libo to Syria to take over for the discredited Cornel Onis but when for the discredited Cornel Onis but when for the discredited Cornel Onis but when he began to receive reports that he began to receive reports that he began to receive reports that sedition was breaking out in the legions sedition was breaking out in the legions sedition was breaking out in the legions and a full-on popular Revolt was and a full-on popular Revolt was and a full-on popular Revolt was possibly in the making Marcus decided possibly in the making Marcus decided possibly in the making Marcus decided that a far more drastic measure was that a far more drastic measure was that a far more drastic measure was needed what the East needed was an needed what the East needed was an needed what the East needed was an emperor to to take responsibility for emperor to to take responsibility for emperor to to take responsibility for the war and clamp down on any whiff of the war and clamp down on any whiff of the war and clamp down on any whiff of insubordination since he considered his insubordination since he considered his insubordination since he considered his own firm presence in Rome indispensable own firm presence in Rome indispensable own firm presence in Rome indispensable Marcus determined that the war in the Marcus determined that the war in the Marcus determined that the war in the East would have to be handed over to East would have to be handed over to East would have to be handed over to Lucius there are suspicions though that Lucius there are suspicions though that Lucius there are suspicions though that Marcus sent Lucius East not just so that Marcus sent Lucius East not just so that Marcus sent Lucius East not just so that Imperial Authority was present on the Imperial Authority was present on the Imperial Authority was present on the scene but also to get his party hearty scene but also to get his party hearty scene but also to get his party hearty brother out of Rome and into the field brother out of Rome and into the field brother out of Rome and into the field where maybe some serious life and death where maybe some serious life and death where maybe some serious life and death responsibility would grow him up a responsibility would grow him up a responsibility would grow him up a bit ious though was in no hurry to grow bit ious though was in no hurry to grow bit ious though was in no hurry to grow up and in 162 the 31-year-old set out up and in 162 the 31-year-old set out up and in 162 the 31-year-old set out for Syria to take command of what was for Syria to take command of what was for Syria to take command of what was easily the biggest existential crisis to easily the biggest existential crisis to easily the biggest existential crisis to hit the Empire since the third Jewish hit the Empire since the third Jewish hit the Empire since the third Jewish Revolt he would finally arrive in Revolt he would finally arrive in Revolt he would finally arrive in Antioch as a 32-year-old having spent

Antioch as a 32-year-old having spent Antioch as a 32-year-old having spent nearly a full year Meandering his way nearly a full year Meandering his way nearly a full year Meandering his way through Greece and the southern through Greece and the southern through Greece and the southern Anatolian Anatolian Anatolian Coast the slow Imperial procession Coast the slow Imperial procession Coast the slow Imperial procession stopped at every tourist trap and Resort stopped at every tourist trap and Resort stopped at every tourist trap and Resort town along the way so that the emperor town along the way so that the emperor town along the way so that the emperor could fully enjoy what he had apparently could fully enjoy what he had apparently could fully enjoy what he had apparently understood stood to be an extended understood stood to be an extended understood stood to be an extended holiday when he finally arrived in Syria holiday when he finally arrived in Syria holiday when he finally arrived in Syria he set himself up in Antioch in he set himself up in Antioch in he set himself up in Antioch in luxurious fashion took a mistress and luxurious fashion took a mistress and luxurious fashion took a mistress and got down to the serious business of the got down to the serious business of the got down to the serious business of the day gambling and day gambling and day gambling and drinking though he communicated little drinking though he communicated little drinking though he communicated little with Marcus he made sure to have nearly with Marcus he made sure to have nearly with Marcus he made sure to have nearly daily dispatches sent from Rome to daily dispatches sent from Rome to daily dispatches sent from Rome to appraise him of how the greens were appraise him of how the greens were appraise him of how the greens were fairing in the circus fairing in the circus fairing in the circus Maximus though the details are likely Maximus though the details are likely Maximus though the details are likely exaggerated there is no doubt that exaggerated there is no doubt that exaggerated there is no doubt that Lucius was taking the whole thing Lucius was taking the whole thing Lucius was taking the whole thing perhaps a little a little less seriously perhaps a little a little less seriously perhaps a little a little less seriously than he should than he should than he should have that being said if there was one have that being said if there was one have that being said if there was one upside Del lucius's character it was upside Del lucius's character it was upside Del lucius's character it was that he was a champion delegator the that he was a champion delegator the that he was a champion delegator the co-emperor basically handed the actual co-emperor basically handed the actual co-emperor basically handed the actual prosecution of the war over to a few prosecution of the war over to a few prosecution of the war over to a few highly capable subordinates and watched highly capable subordinates and watched highly capable subordinates and watched them rack up Victory after victory in them rack up Victory after victory in them rack up Victory after victory in his his his name up in capid doia the new governor name up in capid doia the new governor name up in capid doia the new governor priscus had been busily preparing for a priscus had been busily preparing for a priscus had been busily preparing for a campaign of Vengeance and when the campaign of Vengeance and when the campaign of Vengeance and when the spring of 163 arrived he was ready for spring of 163 arrived he was ready for spring of 163 arrived he was ready for action action action he invaded Armenia with two Legions on he invaded Armenia with two Legions on he invaded Armenia with two Legions on routes planned well in advance to avoid routes planned well in advance to avoid routes planned well in advance to avoid the kind of trap sanas had blundered the kind of trap sanas had blundered the kind of trap sanas had blundered into this far more sober approach to into this far more sober approach to into this far more sober approach to work wonders and it turned out that the work wonders and it turned out that the work wonders and it turned out that the parthan Menace was not so great and parthan Menace was not so great and parthan Menace was not so great and terrible after all experiencing no major

terrible after all experiencing no major terrible after all experiencing no major setbacks priscus took the Armenian setbacks priscus took the Armenian setbacks priscus took the Armenian Capital after a short Siege evicted The Capital after a short Siege evicted The Capital after a short Siege evicted The Pretender to have thrown and drove off Pretender to have thrown and drove off Pretender to have thrown and drove off what was left of the parthan occupation what was left of the parthan occupation what was left of the parthan occupation Force for the key role he played sitting Force for the key role he played sitting Force for the key role he played sitting in Antioch and um overseeing things in Antioch and um overseeing things in Antioch and um overseeing things Lucius took for himself the grandiose Lucius took for himself the grandiose Lucius took for himself the grandiose title armenicus title armenicus title armenicus later in 163 the parthians countered by later in 163 the parthians countered by later in 163 the parthians countered by invading and capturing the Roman Allied invading and capturing the Roman Allied invading and capturing the Roman Allied Kingdom of osini which lay on the Kingdom of osini which lay on the Kingdom of osini which lay on the southern Armenian southern Armenian southern Armenian border the Romans and parthians then border the Romans and parthians then border the Romans and parthians then spent the whole of the next year spent the whole of the next year spent the whole of the next year posturing Lucius apparently offered posturing Lucius apparently offered posturing Lucius apparently offered peace terms following the victory in peace terms following the victory in peace terms following the victory in Armenia which vosis perhaps a bit rashly Armenia which vosis perhaps a bit rashly Armenia which vosis perhaps a bit rashly brushed aside brushed aside brushed aside the terms were said to have been the terms were said to have been the terms were said to have been generous and there was some heavy generous and there was some heavy generous and there was some heavy criticism lobbed at Lucius by criticism lobbed at Lucius by criticism lobbed at Lucius by conservative members of the senate for conservative members of the senate for conservative members of the senate for offering anything to the parthians but offering anything to the parthians but offering anything to the parthians but their total their total their total Destruction the year's relative Destruction the year's relative Destruction the year's relative inactivity though did provide the inactivity though did provide the inactivity though did provide the Imperial Clan an opportunity to further Imperial Clan an opportunity to further Imperial Clan an opportunity to further cement their internal cement their internal cement their internal alliances when Marcus demanded that alliances when Marcus demanded that alliances when Marcus demanded that Lucius be made emperor in 161 he also Lucius be made emperor in 161 he also Lucius be made emperor in 161 he also arranged for his adopted brother to arranged for his adopted brother to arranged for his adopted brother to marry his second daughter marry his second daughter marry his second daughter Lucilla she was only 11 at the time so Lucilla she was only 11 at the time so Lucilla she was only 11 at the time so the wedding had to be postponed a few the wedding had to be postponed a few the wedding had to be postponed a few years but when 164 proved to be a quiet years but when 164 proved to be a quiet years but when 164 proved to be a quiet one Arrangements were made for Lucius to one Arrangements were made for Lucius to one Arrangements were made for Lucius to meet up with the Imperial Entourage at meet up with the Imperial Entourage at meet up with the Imperial Entourage at Ephesus where the marriage would take Ephesus where the marriage would take Ephesus where the marriage would take place Lucilla not particularly happy place Lucilla not particularly happy place Lucilla not particularly happy about any of this then accompanied about any of this then accompanied about any of this then accompanied Lucius back to Antioch where she gave

Lucius back to Antioch where she gave Lucius back to Antioch where she gave birth to their first child shortly birth to their first child shortly birth to their first child shortly thereafter when 165 opened though the thereafter when 165 opened though the thereafter when 165 opened though the time for posturing was over and the time for posturing was over and the time for posturing was over and the Romans launched a two-pronged assault Romans launched a two-pronged assault Romans launched a two-pronged assault into parthan held territory into parthan held territory into parthan held territory the northern thrust into osini was led the northern thrust into osini was led the northern thrust into osini was led by Marius virus while the southern by Marius virus while the southern by Marius virus while the southern thrust was led by aidus Casas a man who thrust was led by aidus Casas a man who thrust was led by aidus Casas a man who we will have cause to deal with a little we will have cause to deal with a little we will have cause to deal with a little further down the further down the further down the road just as happened in Armenia the road just as happened in Armenia the road just as happened in Armenia the parthians were driven out of parthians were driven out of parthians were driven out of oini the parthan army fled back to a oini the parthan army fled back to a oini the parthan army fled back to a fortified City inside their own fortified City inside their own fortified City inside their own territory but the Romans besieged the territory but the Romans besieged the territory but the Romans besieged the city and took city and took city and took it the parthian general went awall and it the parthian general went awall and it the parthian general went awall and what was left of the army was smashed up what was left of the army was smashed up what was left of the army was smashed up against The Tigress river by the legions against The Tigress river by the legions against The Tigress river by the legions and and and destroyed aidus cashes meanwhile marched destroyed aidus cashes meanwhile marched destroyed aidus cashes meanwhile marched down along the southern tigers and down along the southern tigers and down along the southern tigers and captured Tesson the parthan capital captured Tesson the parthan capital captured Tesson the parthan capital Tessa's greek-speaking sister city salua Tessa's greek-speaking sister city salua Tessa's greek-speaking sister city salua surrendered to the Romans at once and surrendered to the Romans at once and surrendered to the Romans at once and threw their gates open to the legions threw their gates open to the legions threw their gates open to the legions but for whatever reason Casas let his but for whatever reason Casas let his but for whatever reason Casas let his men sack the city anyway leaving an men sack the city anyway leaving an men sack the city anyway leaving an unusually cruel black mark on what had unusually cruel black mark on what had unusually cruel black mark on what had been an otherwise Sterling been an otherwise Sterling been an otherwise Sterling record with the victories in both the record with the victories in both the record with the victories in both the North and South piling up luus decided North and South piling up luus decided North and South piling up luus decided from his um military headquarters that from his um military headquarters that from his um military headquarters that it was time to award himself the title it was time to award himself the title it was time to award himself the title paricus Maximus to celebrate the great paricus Maximus to celebrate the great paricus Maximus to celebrate the great triumphs he had so skillfully triumphs he had so skillfully triumphs he had so skillfully overseen in 166 cashes crossed the overseen in 166 cashes crossed the overseen in 166 cashes crossed the tigress and took control of media tigress and took control of media tigress and took control of media leading Lucius to add yet another title

leading Lucius to add yet another title leading Lucius to add yet another title medus to his already somewhat medus to his already somewhat medus to his already somewhat embarrassingly bloated list of embarrassingly bloated list of embarrassingly bloated list of names but whoever was taking credit for names but whoever was taking credit for names but whoever was taking credit for what and the string of defeats finally what and the string of defeats finally what and the string of defeats finally convinced fasis that perhaps it was convinced fasis that perhaps it was convinced fasis that perhaps it was better that he settle for what he had in better that he settle for what he had in better that he settle for what he had in Parthia and not worry so much about Parthia and not worry so much about Parthia and not worry so much about trying to take what the Romans did not trying to take what the Romans did not trying to take what the Romans did not want to give want to give want to give him he sued for peace and wound up him he sued for peace and wound up him he sued for peace and wound up seeding the Romans control over a chunk seeding the Romans control over a chunk seeding the Romans control over a chunk of Mesopotamia in exchange for a of Mesopotamia in exchange for a of Mesopotamia in exchange for a ceasefire worse than the loss of a chunk ceasefire worse than the loss of a chunk ceasefire worse than the loss of a chunk of desert though vasi's aggression had of desert though vasi's aggression had of desert though vasi's aggression had cost him even nominal influence over cost him even nominal influence over cost him even nominal influence over Armenia thinking he was adding the Armenia thinking he was adding the Armenia thinking he was adding the kingdom to his Empire he wound up kingdom to his Empire he wound up kingdom to his Empire he wound up convincing the Romans that the power convincing the Romans that the power convincing the Romans that the power sharing agreement was broken and Marcus sharing agreement was broken and Marcus sharing agreement was broken and Marcus ordered the kingdom reorganized as a ordered the kingdom reorganized as a ordered the kingdom reorganized as a proper Roman proper Roman proper Roman province rather than a comfortable province rather than a comfortable province rather than a comfortable buffer zone then vasis brought even more buffer zone then vasis brought even more buffer zone then vasis brought even more legance right to his doorstep for the Romans the whole thing doorstep for the Romans the whole thing seemed like a Nifty little war there had seemed like a Nifty little war there had seemed like a Nifty little war there had been some early setbacks but Marcus and been some early setbacks but Marcus and been some early setbacks but Marcus and Lucius proved that they were not totally Lucius proved that they were not totally Lucius proved that they were not totally in over their heads the legions proved in over their heads the legions proved in over their heads the legions proved that they were still a fighting force to that they were still a fighting force to that they were still a fighting force to be reckoned with and the Empire as a be reckoned with and the Empire as a be reckoned with and the Empire as a whole would prove that it was still whole would prove that it was still whole would prove that it was still capable of churning out talented field capable of churning out talented field capable of churning out talented field commanders and hey look we even added a commanders and hey look we even added a commanders and hey look we even added a bit of territory to the bit of territory to the bit of territory to the Empire but these short-term benefits Empire but these short-term benefits Empire but these short-term benefits eventually gave way to some real eventually gave way to some real eventually gave way to some real long-term issues that would Mar the long-term issues that would Mar the long-term issues that would Mar the whole rest of Marcus and lucius's Reign to deal with the issue that we'll Reign to deal with the issue that we'll set up the next episode The reassignment

set up the next episode The reassignment set up the next episode The reassignment of Legions from the Ry and danu of Legions from the Ry and danu of Legions from the Ry and danu Frontiers to the east left those Frontiers to the east left those Frontiers to the east left those Frontiers badly Frontiers badly Frontiers badly undermanned Governors were ordered to undermanned Governors were ordered to undermanned Governors were ordered to avoid conflict at all cost but soon avoid conflict at all cost but soon avoid conflict at all cost but soon enough the German tribes began to enough the German tribes began to enough the German tribes began to realize that the Romans may have left realize that the Romans may have left realize that the Romans may have left the lights on but there wasn't really the lights on but there wasn't really the lights on but there wasn't really anyone tending the anyone tending the anyone tending the fire it would prove to be a minor point fire it would prove to be a minor point fire it would prove to be a minor point in the long run as those Legions were in the long run as those Legions were in the long run as those Legions were easily transferred back to their easily transferred back to their easily transferred back to their Northern posts but in the mid 1160s the Northern posts but in the mid 1160s the Northern posts but in the mid 1160s the desperate Germans began to coales into desperate Germans began to coales into desperate Germans began to coales into far more unified far more unified far more unified confederacies and the thought of easy confederacies and the thought of easy confederacies and the thought of easy Roman loot definitely played a part in Roman loot definitely played a part in Roman loot definitely played a part in the consolidation the consolidation the consolidation process easy Roman loot was a viable process easy Roman loot was a viable process easy Roman loot was a viable prize because the Romans were all east prize because the Romans were all east prize because the Romans were all east fighting the parthians had there been no fighting the parthians had there been no fighting the parthians had there been no war with Parthia the various tribes may war with Parthia the various tribes may war with Parthia the various tribes may have ignored these initial calls for have ignored these initial calls for have ignored these initial calls for everyone to join forces and invade the everyone to join forces and invade the everyone to join forces and invade the Empire because they would have seen the Empire because they would have seen the Empire because they would have seen the Roman defenses as Roman defenses as Roman defenses as insurmountable but now the Roman insurmountable but now the Roman insurmountable but now the Roman defenses aren't so insurmountable are defenses aren't so insurmountable are defenses aren't so insurmountable are they but the second great cost of the they but the second great cost of the they but the second great cost of the parthan war was what the legions brought parthan war was what the legions brought parthan war was what the legions brought back from the East namely the anonine back from the East namely the anonine back from the East namely the anonine plague likely first contracted by ases plague likely first contracted by ases plague likely first contracted by ases his troops as they occupied Tesson the his troops as they occupied Tesson the his troops as they occupied Tesson the plague would wreak havoc and first the plague would wreak havoc and first the plague would wreak havoc and first the legions and then the public at large legions and then the public at large legions and then the public at large putting the empire in an almost putting the empire in an almost putting the empire in an almost permanent state of Crisis for the next permanent state of Crisis for the next permanent state of Crisis for the next decade modern scholars believe based on decade modern scholars believe based on decade modern scholars believe based on contemporary descriptions if the Romans contemporary descriptions if the Romans contemporary descriptions if the Romans were up against a small poox epidemic were up against a small poox epidemic were up against a small poox epidemic that before it had run its course wound

that before it had run its course wound that before it had run its course wound up killing something like 5 million up killing something like 5 million up killing something like 5 million people in just a few people in just a few people in just a few years not only did this deal a crushing years not only did this deal a crushing years not only did this deal a crushing blow to the larger economy but with the blow to the larger economy but with the blow to the larger economy but with the pl contracted by the legions first it pl contracted by the legions first it pl contracted by the legions first it spread through the various camps like spread through the various camps like spread through the various camps like wildfire and before long was ravaging wildfire and before long was ravaging wildfire and before long was ravaging the armies of the Ry and the the armies of the Ry and the the armies of the Ry and the danu for the entirety of his running war danu for the entirety of his running war danu for the entirety of his running war with the Germans Marcus would have to with the Germans Marcus would have to with the Germans Marcus would have to contend not only with a visible enemy contend not only with a visible enemy contend not only with a visible enemy trying to kill him from without but also trying to kill him from without but also trying to kill him from without but also with an invisible enemy killing his with an invisible enemy killing his with an invisible enemy killing his Legions from Legions from Legions from within more than one campaign was cut within more than one campaign was cut within more than one campaign was cut short or not begun at all because of the short or not begun at all because of the short or not begun at all because of the chronic Manpower shortages brought about chronic Manpower shortages brought about chronic Manpower shortages brought about by the plague and of course it was the by the plague and of course it was the by the plague and of course it was the plague that likely killed Lucius in 169 plague that likely killed Lucius in 169 plague that likely killed Lucius in 169 and definitely killed Marcus a decade and definitely killed Marcus a decade and definitely killed Marcus a decade later in short the role that the later in short the role that the later in short the role that the antonine plague played in the evolution antonine plague played in the evolution antonine plague played in the evolution of the Roman Empire could not be of the Roman Empire could not be of the Roman Empire could not be understated but that was all for the understated but that was all for the understated but that was all for the future for now the Romans were riding future for now the Romans were riding future for now the Romans were riding High Lucius verus returned to Rome High Lucius verus returned to Rome High Lucius verus returned to Rome Lucius Aurelius vus Augustus armenicus Lucius Aurelius vus Augustus armenicus Lucius Aurelius vus Augustus armenicus paricus Maximus Medicus and upon his paricus Maximus Medicus and upon his paricus Maximus Medicus and upon his arrival in the city he celebrated with arrival in the city he celebrated with arrival in the city he celebrated with Marcus somewhat reluctantly by his side Marcus somewhat reluctantly by his side Marcus somewhat reluctantly by his side a full-blown a full-blown a full-blown Triumph for the next 2 years the Triumph for the next 2 years the Triumph for the next 2 years the Emperors would once again share Rome Emperors would once again share Rome Emperors would once again share Rome with Marcus plotting his way stoically with Marcus plotting his way stoically with Marcus plotting his way stoically through the day's routine while Lucius through the day's routine while Lucius through the day's routine while Lucius enjoyed the riotous life of a wealthy enjoyed the riotous life of a wealthy enjoyed the riotous life of a wealthy libertine his experience in the East libertine his experience in the East libertine his experience in the East apparently not having matured him one apparently not having matured him one apparently not having matured him one bit however though the lifestyle of his

bit however though the lifestyle of his bit however though the lifestyle of his brother rankled Marcus to no end Lucius brother rankled Marcus to no end Lucius brother rankled Marcus to no end Lucius was not an utterly disinterested was not an utterly disinterested was not an utterly disinterested hedonist and in between parties did hedonist and in between parties did hedonist and in between parties did perform his duties as Emperor with perform his duties as Emperor with perform his duties as Emperor with intelligence and intelligence and intelligence and efficiency and this is the part that efficiency and this is the part that efficiency and this is the part that separates him from a Nero or a Caligula separates him from a Nero or a Caligula separates him from a Nero or a Caligula because though Lucius surrounded himself because though Lucius surrounded himself because though Lucius surrounded himself with actors and Gladiators and all the with actors and Gladiators and all the with actors and Gladiators and all the other drgs of society he was not crazy other drgs of society he was not crazy other drgs of society he was not crazy enough to promote his social favorites enough to promote his social favorites enough to promote his social favorites to a positions of authority the real to a positions of authority the real to a positions of authority the real work was always left to Serious men and work was always left to Serious men and work was always left to Serious men and for that alone Lucius does not make the for that alone Lucius does not make the for that alone Lucius does not make the list of the worst Emperors of all time the good times though did not last time the good times though did not last coinciding with the victory in the East coinciding with the victory in the East coinciding with the victory in the East the northern border of the empire was the northern border of the empire was the northern border of the empire was suddenly beset with attacks on multiple suddenly beset with attacks on multiple suddenly beset with attacks on multiple fronts there were a number of different fronts there were a number of different fronts there were a number of different factors that combined in the late 160s factors that combined in the late 160s factors that combined in the late 160s 80 to produce the unprecedented pressure 80 to produce the unprecedented pressure 80 to produce the unprecedented pressure that was being felt on the danu frontier that was being felt on the danu frontier that was being felt on the danu frontier including the southern migration of the including the southern migration of the including the southern migration of the Goths in the far north which pushed Goths in the far north which pushed Goths in the far north which pushed everyone else South an increased level everyone else South an increased level everyone else South an increased level of political cooperation between the of political cooperation between the of political cooperation between the German tribes which seemed to break the German tribes which seemed to break the German tribes which seemed to break the spell of divide and conquer that the spell of divide and conquer that the spell of divide and conquer that the Romans had always been able to weave so Romans had always been able to weave so Romans had always been able to weave so successfully and of course as I've successfully and of course as I've successfully and of course as I've already mentioned the shift of legionary already mentioned the shift of legionary already mentioned the shift of legionary strength to the east which left the strength to the east which left the strength to the east which left the borders more poorest than they had ever borders more poorest than they had ever borders more poorest than they had ever been before it all added up to an been before it all added up to an been before it all added up to an emboldened German population perhaps emboldened German population perhaps emboldened German population perhaps even a desperate population if you even a desperate population if you even a desperate population if you believe that the migrating Goths were believe that the migrating Goths were believe that the migrating Goths were pushing the southern tribes to seek pushing the southern tribes to seek pushing the southern tribes to seek settlement within the Empire or face settlement within the Empire or face settlement within the Empire or face death it was more willing than ever to

death it was more willing than ever to death it was more willing than ever to go and have it out with Rome on the go and have it out with Rome on the go and have it out with Rome on the battlefield in 166 our early 167 a battlefield in 166 our early 167 a battlefield in 166 our early 167 a confederation of tribes invaded panonia confederation of tribes invaded panonia confederation of tribes invaded panonia but they were repulsed by a collection but they were repulsed by a collection but they were repulsed by a collection of local auxiliaries led by the governor of local auxiliaries led by the governor of local auxiliaries led by the governor Marcus Marcus Marcus basses basses was concerned Enough by basses basses was concerned Enough by basses basses was concerned Enough by the situation and his own limited the situation and his own limited the situation and his own limited Military resources that he called a Military resources that he called a Military resources that he called a conference of the major tribes that was conference of the major tribes that was conference of the major tribes that was formerly mediated by the marom manic formerly mediated by the marom manic formerly mediated by the marom manic King Baler who was at least in theory a King Baler who was at least in theory a King Baler who was at least in theory a trustworthy client of Rome but in trustworthy client of Rome but in trustworthy client of Rome but in practice was about to prove one of their practice was about to prove one of their practice was about to prove one of their greatest adversaries greatest adversaries greatest adversaries the conference ended with renewed the conference ended with renewed the conference ended with renewed pledges from everyone to respect the pledges from everyone to respect the pledges from everyone to respect the borders but just a few months later a borders but just a few months later a borders but just a few months later a combined Army invaded lower moesia and combined Army invaded lower moesia and combined Army invaded lower moesia and managed to kill the governor of the managed to kill the governor of the managed to kill the governor of the province during the subsequent province during the subsequent province during the subsequent fighting back in Rome Marcus and Lucius fighting back in Rome Marcus and Lucius fighting back in Rome Marcus and Lucius watched these event unfold with an alarm watched these event unfold with an alarm watched these event unfold with an alarm magnified by the fact that the city and magnified by the fact that the city and magnified by the fact that the city and the legionary camps of the empire were the legionary camps of the empire were the legionary camps of the empire were being crippled by the antonine being crippled by the antonine being crippled by the antonine plague they could barely keep the plague they could barely keep the plague they could barely keep the existing Legion staffed raising new existing Legion staffed raising new existing Legion staffed raising new forces was for the moment forces was for the moment forces was for the moment unfeasible but in 168 they were able to unfeasible but in 168 they were able to unfeasible but in 168 they were able to muster two new Legions and safely think muster two new Legions and safely think muster two new Legions and safely think about traveling north to inspect the about traveling north to inspect the about traveling north to inspect the borders for borders for borders for themselves the co-emperor set up a themselves the co-emperor set up a themselves the co-emperor set up a headquarters in the northern Italian headquarters in the northern Italian headquarters in the northern Italian city of aquala and from there headed up city of aquala and from there headed up city of aquala and from there headed up to the danu to get firsthand reports to the danu to get firsthand reports to the danu to get firsthand reports from the soldiers who had suddenly found from the soldiers who had suddenly found from the soldiers who had suddenly found themselves in a war themselves in a war themselves in a war zone it was while the Emperors were

zone it was while the Emperors were zone it was while the Emperors were returning to aquala from the front returning to aquala from the front returning to aquala from the front during the winter of 168 169 that Lucius during the winter of 168 169 that Lucius during the winter of 168 169 that Lucius came down with a severe came down with a severe came down with a severe sickness at the time it was diagnosed as sickness at the time it was diagnosed as sickness at the time it was diagnosed as food poisoning but many think he came food poisoning but many think he came food poisoning but many think he came down with the same plague that was down with the same plague that was down with the same plague that was ravaging the ravaging the ravaging the Empire whatever the cause after a few Empire whatever the cause after a few Empire whatever the cause after a few days lingering in bed Lucius died in days lingering in bed Lucius died in days lingering in bed Lucius died in early early early 169 in some respects it was surprising 169 in some respects it was surprising 169 in some respects it was surprising that Lucius still in his 30s would so that Lucius still in his 30s would so that Lucius still in his 30s would so suddenly die but given his family suddenly die but given his family suddenly die but given his family medical history the fact that Lucius medical history the fact that Lucius medical history the fact that Lucius lasted as long as he did is perhaps the lasted as long as he did is perhaps the lasted as long as he did is perhaps the greater surprise remember that his greater surprise remember that his greater surprise remember that his father Lucius Caesar was so often father Lucius Caesar was so often father Lucius Caesar was so often bedridden that people thought it insane bedridden that people thought it insane bedridden that people thought it insane hadrien would even choose him to be Heir though the situation on the danu Heir though the situation on the danu was of pressing concern Marcus was of pressing concern Marcus was of pressing concern Marcus nonetheless accompanied the body of his nonetheless accompanied the body of his nonetheless accompanied the body of his brother back to Rome where an elaborate brother back to Rome where an elaborate brother back to Rome where an elaborate funeral was staged complete with a set funeral was staged complete with a set funeral was staged complete with a set of Memorial games the kind that Marcus of Memorial games the kind that Marcus of Memorial games the kind that Marcus so despised and Lucius so so despised and Lucius so so despised and Lucius so loved since I am even as we speak loved since I am even as we speak loved since I am even as we speak entertaining an influential diplomat entertaining an influential diplomat entertaining an influential diplomat from the People's Republic of Portland I from the People's Republic of Portland I from the People's Republic of Portland I am taking next week off but in 2 weeks am taking next week off but in 2 weeks am taking next week off but in 2 weeks we'll accompany Marcus as he heads back we'll accompany Marcus as he heads back we'll accompany Marcus as he heads back North alone now the sole ruler of the North alone now the sole ruler of the North alone now the sole ruler of the Roman Empire for the next decade the Roman Empire for the next decade the Roman Empire for the next decade the Frozen front line along the danu will be Frozen front line along the danu will be Frozen front line along the danu will be Marcus's home where the philosopher Marcus's home where the philosopher Marcus's home where the philosopher Emperor more at home with books than Emperor more at home with books than Emperor more at home with books than swords will prove that whatever he'd swords will prove that whatever he'd swords will prove that whatever he'd rather be doing he always did what rather be doing he always did what rather be doing he always did what needed to be done

needed to be done needed to be done [Music] hello and welcome welcome to the history hello and welcome welcome to the history of of of Rome episode 93 the marom manic Wars the victory over Parthia had been a Wars the victory over Parthia had been a double-edged sword on the one hand Rome double-edged sword on the one hand Rome double-edged sword on the one hand Rome had proven to their enemies that whether had proven to their enemies that whether had proven to their enemies that whether or not the rumors were true that the or not the rumors were true that the or not the rumors were true that the empire was slipping into decline for the empire was slipping into decline for the empire was slipping into decline for the moment it was still the premier moment it was still the premier moment it was still the premier political economic and military force in political economic and military force in political economic and military force in the western world but on the other hand the western world but on the other hand the western world but on the other hand the legions of aidus Casas Legions that the legions of aidus Casas Legions that the legions of aidus Casas Legions that had been so decisive in proving that had been so decisive in proving that had been so decisive in proving that point had brought the devastating point had brought the devastating point had brought the devastating antonine plague back home with antonine plague back home with antonine plague back home with them thus Rome so recently reestablished them thus Rome so recently reestablished them thus Rome so recently reestablished Aura of invincibility was immediately Aura of invincibility was immediately Aura of invincibility was immediately Shattered by an epidemic that hastened Shattered by an epidemic that hastened Shattered by an epidemic that hastened the pace of the Empire's the pace of the Empire's the pace of the Empire's decline in the end it seems that labor decline in the end it seems that labor decline in the end it seems that labor shortages famines and underman Legions shortages famines and underman Legions shortages famines and underman Legions were the only permanent Spoils of War were the only permanent Spoils of War were the only permanent Spoils of War won by Rome in the conflict with won by Rome in the conflict with won by Rome in the conflict with Parthia while these ill effects were not

Parthia while these ill effects were not Parthia while these ill effects were not so immediately felt that the triumph so immediately felt that the triumph so immediately felt that the triumph over Parthia could be called a pck over Parthia could be called a pck over Parthia could be called a pck victory the conquest of the East victory the conquest of the East victory the conquest of the East definitely wound up a close cousin as it definitely wound up a close cousin as it definitely wound up a close cousin as it was after all costly to the point of was after all costly to the point of was after all costly to the point of negating all benefit Marcus had spent the years of benefit Marcus had spent the years of the parthan war in Rome running every the parthan war in Rome running every the parthan war in Rome running every other part of the Empire while other part of the Empire while other part of the Empire while hostilities unfolded in the hostilities unfolded in the hostilities unfolded in the East I didn't mention this last week but East I didn't mention this last week but East I didn't mention this last week but just as the new Emperors were forced to just as the new Emperors were forced to just as the new Emperors were forced to deal with the immediate crisis of a deal with the immediate crisis of a deal with the immediate crisis of a parthan invasion of arm Armenia they parthan invasion of arm Armenia they parthan invasion of arm Armenia they were also forced to deal with two other were also forced to deal with two other were also forced to deal with two other crises right in their own crises right in their own crises right in their own backyard in 162 after less than a year backyard in 162 after less than a year backyard in 162 after less than a year on the throne the Tyber flooded causing on the throne the Tyber flooded causing on the throne the Tyber flooded causing extensive damage to the capital and extensive damage to the capital and extensive damage to the capital and triggering catastrophic food triggering catastrophic food triggering catastrophic food shortages hunger and panic gripped the shortages hunger and panic gripped the shortages hunger and panic gripped the city and both Marcus and Lucius who was city and both Marcus and Lucius who was city and both Marcus and Lucius who was still in Italy at the time had to still in Italy at the time had to still in Italy at the time had to scramble to initiate rescue relief and scramble to initiate rescue relief and scramble to initiate rescue relief and cleanup efforts both men receive high cleanup efforts both men receive high cleanup efforts both men receive high marks for their response and the marks for their response and the marks for their response and the suffering of the general population was suffering of the general population was suffering of the general population was kept as low as a disaster of that kept as low as a disaster of that kept as low as a disaster of that magnitude would magnitude would magnitude would allow the other crisis that struck Rome allow the other crisis that struck Rome allow the other crisis that struck Rome in the early years of marcus' Reign was in the early years of marcus' Reign was in the early years of marcus' Reign was neither immediately recognized nor neither immediately recognized nor neither immediately recognized nor frankly even suspected would become a frankly even suspected would become a frankly even suspected would become a crisis in August 161 fosa gave birth to crisis in August 161 fosa gave birth to crisis in August 161 fosa gave birth to twins as so often happened with Roman twins as so often happened with Roman twins as so often happened with Roman children one of the two a boy named children one of the two a boy named children one of the two a boy named Titus died in 165 having just barely Titus died in 165 having just barely Titus died in 165 having just barely emerged from infancy

emerged from infancy emerged from infancy this was a tragedy but in the grand this was a tragedy but in the grand this was a tragedy but in the grand scheme of things only a minor one the scheme of things only a minor one the scheme of things only a minor one the far greater tragedy was that the other far greater tragedy was that the other far greater tragedy was that the other twin a boy named Commodus twin a boy named Commodus twin a boy named Commodus survived but that time bomb wasn't set survived but that time bomb wasn't set survived but that time bomb wasn't set to go off for another 20 years and for to go off for another 20 years and for to go off for another 20 years and for now the emperor and the Empire seemed now the emperor and the Empire seemed now the emperor and the Empire seemed blessed that this healthy young boy was blessed that this healthy young boy was blessed that this healthy young boy was managing to thrive in a world full of managing to thrive in a world full of managing to thrive in a world full of disease famine and disease famine and disease famine and War during the early 160s then while War during the early 160s then while War during the early 160s then while Rome was dealing with a series of Rome was dealing with a series of Rome was dealing with a series of disasters both manifest and dormant the disasters both manifest and dormant the disasters both manifest and dormant the challenge that would consume the second challenge that would consume the second challenge that would consume the second half of Marcus's Reign was just half of Marcus's Reign was just half of Marcus's Reign was just beginning to come into its beginning to come into its beginning to come into its own north of the danu the desparate own north of the danu the desparate own north of the danu the desparate German tribes were beginning to rethink German tribes were beginning to rethink German tribes were beginning to rethink their relationship with each other and their relationship with each other and their relationship with each other and question their greater relationship with question their greater relationship with question their greater relationship with Rome after the massacre in the tberg Rome after the massacre in the tberg Rome after the massacre in the tberg forest the Romans had successfully forest the Romans had successfully forest the Romans had successfully prevented arminius from uniting all the prevented arminius from uniting all the prevented arminius from uniting all the German tribes into a single Force by German tribes into a single Force by German tribes into a single Force by exploiting the ascendant German leaders exploiting the ascendant German leaders exploiting the ascendant German leaders rivalry with the marom manic King morus rivalry with the marom manic King morus rivalry with the marom manic King morus famously when Armenia sent varus's head famously when Armenia sent varus's head famously when Armenia sent varus's head to morbidus in an attempt to persuade to morbidus in an attempt to persuade to morbidus in an attempt to persuade the macroman to join him the already the macroman to join him the already the macroman to join him the already co-opted mobus sent the head along to co-opted mobus sent the head along to co-opted mobus sent the head along to Augustus for Augustus for Augustus for burial without the necessary support burial without the necessary support burial without the necessary support from the Marco Mani by far the strongest from the Marco Mani by far the strongest from the Marco Mani by far the strongest single tribe in Southwest Germany arm single tribe in Southwest Germany arm single tribe in Southwest Germany arm minus' Coalition eventually collapsed minus' Coalition eventually collapsed minus' Coalition eventually collapsed and the Romans did not face another and the Romans did not face another and the Romans did not face another serious threat from Beyond the frontier serious threat from Beyond the frontier serious threat from Beyond the frontier for a century and a for a century and a for a century and a half the basic Roman strategy of divide

half the basic Roman strategy of divide half the basic Roman strategy of divide and conquer was never on better display and conquer was never on better display and conquer was never on better display than in Germany during the years of the than in Germany during the years of the than in Germany during the years of the early early early principate as I mentioned while principate as I mentioned while principate as I mentioned while discussing the construction of the lies discussing the construction of the lies discussing the construction of the lies germanicus the Roman walls were not germanicus the Roman walls were not germanicus the Roman walls were not built to radically cut off quote built to radically cut off quote built to radically cut off quote Civilization from quote The Barbarians Civilization from quote The Barbarians Civilization from quote The Barbarians but rather they were designed to control but rather they were designed to control but rather they were designed to control trade limit available points of entry trade limit available points of entry trade limit available points of entry and exit and serve as a base from which and exit and serve as a base from which and exit and serve as a base from which to project Roman power north and to project Roman power north and to project Roman power north and east Roman interaction with the tribes east Roman interaction with the tribes east Roman interaction with the tribes was extensive I and robust and at all was extensive I and robust and at all was extensive I and robust and at all times along with the economic times along with the economic times along with the economic exploitation a political hand was kept exploitation a political hand was kept exploitation a political hand was kept stirring the pot and managing the stirring the pot and managing the stirring the pot and managing the loyalties of the loyalties of the loyalties of the Germans not only were some tribes given Germans not only were some tribes given Germans not only were some tribes given advantages over other tribes to keep advantages over other tribes to keep advantages over other tribes to keep their interests Divergent but Elites their interests Divergent but Elites their interests Divergent but Elites within those favored tribes were often within those favored tribes were often within those favored tribes were often further enticed and divided from their further enticed and divided from their further enticed and divided from their own people creating a condition where own people creating a condition where own people creating a condition where the tribes were divided from each other the tribes were divided from each other the tribes were divided from each other both internally and both internally and both internally and externally popular risings were externally popular risings were externally popular risings were suppressed by their own leadership and suppressed by their own leadership and suppressed by their own leadership and hostile tribes were kept in check by hostile tribes were kept in check by hostile tribes were kept in check by their Roman Allied neighbors all without their Roman Allied neighbors all without their Roman Allied neighbors all without the Romans really having to lift a the Romans really having to lift a the Romans really having to lift a finger these deaf political machinations finger these deaf political machinations finger these deaf political machinations lie at the heart of what has lie at the heart of what has lie at the heart of what has occasionally and poetically been dubbed occasionally and poetically been dubbed occasionally and poetically been dubbed the Roman the Roman the Roman genius along with the discipline of the genius along with the discipline of the genius along with the discipline of the legions the unparalleled skill of their legions the unparalleled skill of their legions the unparalleled skill of their Engineers the Roman ability to Engineers the Roman ability to Engineers the Roman ability to politically manipulate their enemies politically manipulate their enemies politically manipulate their enemies into submission was one of the great into submission was one of the great into submission was one of the great keys to the success of the

keys to the success of the keys to the success of the Empire but the times they were a changing when the war with parth erupted changing when the war with parth erupted the Romans were forced to redeploy the the Romans were forced to redeploy the the Romans were forced to redeploy the legions to meet the legions to meet the legions to meet the threat this meant that while the East threat this meant that while the East threat this meant that while the East was reinforced the r and danu Frontiers was reinforced the r and danu Frontiers was reinforced the r and danu Frontiers were were were depleted Governors were forced to rely depleted Governors were forced to rely depleted Governors were forced to rely on locally raised militias rather than on locally raised militias rather than on locally raised militias rather than proper Legions to maintain peace along proper Legions to maintain peace along proper Legions to maintain peace along the border and it did not take long for the border and it did not take long for the border and it did not take long for the Germans to notice the the Germans to notice the the Germans to notice the shift though the Roman rans had for shift though the Roman rans had for shift though the Roman rans had for years been able to successfully buy off years been able to successfully buy off years been able to successfully buy off the tribal leadership that did not mean the tribal leadership that did not mean the tribal leadership that did not mean that if there was more to get that the that if there was more to get that the that if there was more to get that the various Kings wouldn't jump at the various Kings wouldn't jump at the various Kings wouldn't jump at the chance to grab chance to grab chance to grab it some wanted unrestricted access to it some wanted unrestricted access to it some wanted unrestricted access to Roman markets that is exemption from Roman markets that is exemption from Roman markets that is exemption from Import and Export taxes some simply Import and Export taxes some simply Import and Export taxes some simply wanted increased cash tributes to keep wanted increased cash tributes to keep wanted increased cash tributes to keep their tribes loyal While others wanted their tribes loyal While others wanted their tribes loyal While others wanted the whole hog the right to migrate south the whole hog the right to migrate south the whole hog the right to migrate south into the Empire proper where in time into the Empire proper where in time into the Empire proper where in time they would become full-fledged citizens they would become full-fledged citizens they would become full-fledged citizens with Roman attention diverted East this with Roman attention diverted East this with Roman attention diverted East this might prove the perfect opportunity for might prove the perfect opportunity for might prove the perfect opportunity for the Germans to press for greater concessions against this backdrop it is concessions against this backdrop it is possible though not a confirmed fact possible though not a confirmed fact possible though not a confirmed fact that the marom manic King bamar that the marom manic King bamar that the marom manic King bamar technically a Roman appointee began to technically a Roman appointee began to technically a Roman appointee began to sew the seeds for a combined German sew the seeds for a combined German sew the seeds for a combined German campaign against the campaign against the campaign against the Romans there were dozens of tribes of Romans there were dozens of tribes of Romans there were dozens of tribes of various sizes living in and around the various sizes living in and around the various sizes living in and around the Roman border and getting them all to act

Roman border and getting them all to act Roman border and getting them all to act in concert with one another was like in concert with one another was like in concert with one another was like hurting cats but bamar put out his hurting cats but bamar put out his hurting cats but bamar put out his feelers and began to get the sense that feelers and began to get the sense that feelers and began to get the sense that maybe he could Cobble something maybe he could Cobble something maybe he could Cobble something together though his task was made nearly together though his task was made nearly together though his task was made nearly impossible by the years of intertribal impossible by the years of intertribal impossible by the years of intertribal enmity the Romans had stoked it seems enmity the Romans had stoked it seems enmity the Romans had stoked it seems that by the time the parthan campaign that by the time the parthan campaign that by the time the parthan campaign was wrapping up bamar had built up some was wrapping up bamar had built up some was wrapping up bamar had built up some kind of Coalition that was willing to kind of Coalition that was willing to kind of Coalition that was willing to press the Romans from different sides at press the Romans from different sides at press the Romans from different sides at different times to achieve unified different times to achieve unified different times to achieve unified success success success as I mentioned last time in 166 or 167 a as I mentioned last time in 166 or 167 a as I mentioned last time in 166 or 167 a combined Army of about 6,000 Germans combined Army of about 6,000 Germans combined Army of about 6,000 Germans broke across the border into panonia broke across the border into panonia broke across the border into panonia causing all manner of Havoc they were causing all manner of Havoc they were causing all manner of Havoc they were eventually driven back across the danu eventually driven back across the danu eventually driven back across the danu by a locally raised militia but the by a locally raised militia but the by a locally raised militia but the surprise attack put the Romans on notice surprise attack put the Romans on notice surprise attack put the Romans on notice that there was renewed offensive energy that there was renewed offensive energy that there was renewed offensive energy Brewing across the Brewing across the Brewing across the border so the governor of panonia Marcus border so the governor of panonia Marcus border so the governor of panonia Marcus bassis called together the heads of 11 bassis called together the heads of 11 bassis called together the heads of 11 German tribes for a summit mediated by German tribes for a summit mediated by German tribes for a summit mediated by balar who was at that point still acting balar who was at that point still acting balar who was at that point still acting officially as an ally of Rome and who officially as an ally of Rome and who officially as an ally of Rome and who had offered magnanimously to help smooth had offered magnanimously to help smooth had offered magnanimously to help smooth over the difficulties he himself was over the difficulties he himself was over the difficulties he himself was likely likely likely creating the upshot of the talks was creating the upshot of the talks was creating the upshot of the talks was that the Marco Mani agreed to take the that the Marco Mani agreed to take the that the Marco Mani agreed to take the lead in maintaining the good order of lead in maintaining the good order of lead in maintaining the good order of their their their countrymen under the guise of this countrymen under the guise of this countrymen under the guise of this diplomatic peacekeeping Mission Bomar diplomatic peacekeeping Mission Bomar diplomatic peacekeeping Mission Bomar was able to secretly Shore up support was able to secretly Shore up support was able to secretly Shore up support for his planned invasion of the for his planned invasion of the for his planned invasion of the Empire the same Mir is the summit Empire the same Mir is the summit Empire the same Mir is the summit possibly at bomar's order possibly with

possibly at bomar's order possibly with possibly at bomar's order possibly with his Blessing or possibly simply by pure his Blessing or possibly simply by pure his Blessing or possibly simply by pure coincidence a combined force of vandals coincidence a combined force of vandals coincidence a combined force of vandals and a sarmatian tribe called if I'm even and a sarmatian tribe called if I'm even and a sarmatian tribe called if I'm even pronouncing this correctly the aigis pronouncing this correctly the aigis pronouncing this correctly the aigis invaded moesia killed the Roman governor invaded moesia killed the Roman governor invaded moesia killed the Roman governor and then penetrated as far south as and then penetrated as far south as and then penetrated as far south as Greece before retreating back across the Greece before retreating back across the Greece before retreating back across the border Laden with border Laden with border Laden with Treasure of the two the nomadic aigis Treasure of the two the nomadic aigis Treasure of the two the nomadic aigis would prove to be the more permanent would prove to be the more permanent would prove to be the more permanent threat threat threat ironically they had actually been ironically they had actually been ironically they had actually been brought into the dangerous territory brought into the dangerous territory brought into the dangerous territory they occupied between the danu and daia they occupied between the danu and daia they occupied between the danu and daia by trun when they agreed to act as loyal by trun when they agreed to act as loyal by trun when they agreed to act as loyal clients during his war with the clients during his war with the clients during his war with the kist but once the war was over and the kist but once the war was over and the kist but once the war was over and the Eis found their migration routes blocked Eis found their migration routes blocked Eis found their migration routes blocked and hampered by the Romans relations and hampered by the Romans relations and hampered by the Romans relations quickly quickly quickly deteriorated though they were deteriorated though they were deteriorated though they were technically classified as a client of technically classified as a client of technically classified as a client of Rome the Eis were more or less simply Rome the Eis were more or less simply Rome the Eis were more or less simply biting their time through the Reigns of biting their time through the Reigns of biting their time through the Reigns of hadrien and antoninus waiting for an hadrien and antoninus waiting for an hadrien and antoninus waiting for an opportunity to reassert their true opportunity to reassert their true opportunity to reassert their true independence with the war in the East independence with the war in the East independence with the war in the East sapping Roman strength and bamar ready sapping Roman strength and bamar ready sapping Roman strength and bamar ready to press his case further west to press his case further west to press his case further west opportunity seemed to be opportunity seemed to be opportunity seemed to be knocking though there had now been two knocking though there had now been two knocking though there had now been two successful invasions of Imperial successful invasions of Imperial successful invasions of Imperial territory the Romans had to delay territory the Romans had to delay territory the Romans had to delay whatever punitive measures they were whatever punitive measures they were whatever punitive measures they were planning as they watched the antonine planning as they watched the antonine planning as they watched the antonine plague suck the life out of the legions plague suck the life out of the legions plague suck the life out of the legions but by the end of 168 Marcus managed to but by the end of 168 Marcus managed to but by the end of 168 Marcus managed to raise two new Legions and he struck raise two new Legions and he struck raise two new Legions and he struck North with Lucius where the co-emperors North with Lucius where the co-emperors North with Lucius where the co-emperors hoped to reinforce and reorganize the

hoped to reinforce and reorganize the hoped to reinforce and reorganize the danu danu danu border at the outset Marcus was probably border at the outset Marcus was probably border at the outset Marcus was probably planning to Simply set the old order planning to Simply set the old order planning to Simply set the old order back to zero but rather than falling back to zero but rather than falling back to zero but rather than falling back into their divided and submissive back into their divided and submissive back into their divided and submissive State the Germans LED initially by State the Germans LED initially by State the Germans LED initially by balmer's marom manic Coalition instead balmer's marom manic Coalition instead balmer's marom manic Coalition instead turned the heat up and just like that turned the heat up and just like that turned the heat up and just like that the last 12 years of marcus' Reign was the last 12 years of marcus' Reign was the last 12 years of marcus' Reign was written War along the danu for the rest written War along the danu for the rest written War along the danu for the rest of his Natural of his Natural of his Natural Life Lucius meanwhile escaped what fate Life Lucius meanwhile escaped what fate Life Lucius meanwhile escaped what fate had in store for Marcus by dying in had in store for Marcus by dying in had in store for Marcus by dying in early 169 which was probably not such a early 169 which was probably not such a early 169 which was probably not such a bad thing for him as tent Life along the bad thing for him as tent Life along the bad thing for him as tent Life along the Frozen danu was nothing and I mean Frozen danu was nothing and I mean Frozen danu was nothing and I mean nothing like the pleasures he was used nothing like the pleasures he was used nothing like the pleasures he was used to enjoying in Antioch and to enjoying in Antioch and to enjoying in Antioch and Rome with Lucius dead and buried Marcus Rome with Lucius dead and buried Marcus Rome with Lucius dead and buried Marcus returned to the danu in the Autumn of returned to the danu in the Autumn of returned to the danu in the Autumn of 169 this time with his son-in-law the 169 this time with his son-in-law the 169 this time with his son-in-law the eminently capable Claudius pomponis by eminently capable Claudius pomponis by eminently capable Claudius pomponis by his his his side while they were making preparations side while they were making preparations side while they were making preparations for a campaign across the river to for a campaign across the river to for a campaign across the river to assert Roman order the oagis invaded assert Roman order the oagis invaded assert Roman order the oagis invaded daia captured the gold mines moved South daia captured the gold mines moved South daia captured the gold mines moved South into moesia and killed yet another into moesia and killed yet another into moesia and killed yet another Governor Marcus naturally ordered the Governor Marcus naturally ordered the Governor Marcus naturally ordered the legions to counter The Invasion but as legions to counter The Invasion but as legions to counter The Invasion but as soon as they moveed forward other German soon as they moveed forward other German soon as they moveed forward other German tribes launched their own raids into tribes launched their own raids into tribes launched their own raids into Roman territory the most successful of Roman territory the most successful of Roman territory the most successful of which slashed through the Balkans before which slashed through the Balkans before which slashed through the Balkans before reaching and destroying the ancient and reaching and destroying the ancient and reaching and destroying the ancient and sacred Temple of the elisan sacred Temple of the elisan sacred Temple of the elisan Mysteries suddenly Germans were crossing

Mysteries suddenly Germans were crossing Mysteries suddenly Germans were crossing back and forth across the border at will back and forth across the border at will back and forth across the border at will plundering whatever they could find plundering whatever they could find plundering whatever they could find before heading back before heading back before heading back home the Romans scrambled to plug all home the Romans scrambled to plug all home the Romans scrambled to plug all the leaks but all of this was merely a the leaks but all of this was merely a the leaks but all of this was merely a prelude for the great flood balamur had planned west of the Great Bend in the planned west of the Great Bend in the danu where the river begins its Journey danu where the river begins its Journey danu where the river begins its Journey South bamar assembled 20,000 men men South bamar assembled 20,000 men men South bamar assembled 20,000 men men from the tribes he had so carefully from the tribes he had so carefully from the tribes he had so carefully cultivated and led them into the Roman cultivated and led them into the Roman cultivated and led them into the Roman province of province of province of noram they clashed with the legionary noram they clashed with the legionary noram they clashed with the legionary Garrison stationed at kentam and blew Garrison stationed at kentam and blew Garrison stationed at kentam and blew the outnumbered Romans out of the water the outnumbered Romans out of the water the outnumbered Romans out of the water suddenly the path to Italy was suddenly the path to Italy was suddenly the path to Italy was clear leaving behind a contingent to clear leaving behind a contingent to clear leaving behind a contingent to ransack noram bamar led the rest of his ransack noram bamar led the rest of his ransack noram bamar led the rest of his army army army southwest foreshadowing future disasters southwest foreshadowing future disasters southwest foreshadowing future disasters for Rome the Germans made quick time for Rome the Germans made quick time for Rome the Germans made quick time using the well-maintained Roman roads using the well-maintained Roman roads using the well-maintained Roman roads and before any reasonable response could and before any reasonable response could and before any reasonable response could be initiated they were banging at the be initiated they were banging at the be initiated they were banging at the gates of gates of gates of aquelia this was obviously now a crisis aquelia this was obviously now a crisis aquelia this was obviously now a crisis of humongous of humongous of humongous proportions no foreign Invader had set proportions no foreign Invader had set proportions no foreign Invader had set foot in Italy since 101 BC when gas foot in Italy since 101 BC when gas foot in Italy since 101 BC when gas Marius had defeated the combined Army of Marius had defeated the combined Army of Marius had defeated the combined Army of the kimry and the tutonis but now almost the kimry and the tutonis but now almost the kimry and the tutonis but now almost out of nowhere a German Army was out of nowhere a German Army was out of nowhere a German Army was wreaking havoc in the home wreaking havoc in the home wreaking havoc in the home Province worse yet for the Romans a Province worse yet for the Romans a Province worse yet for the Romans a relief Army sent under the command of relief Army sent under the command of relief Army sent under the command of the rorian prefect Furious victorianus the rorian prefect Furious victorianus the rorian prefect Furious victorianus Was Defeated upon arrival and Was Defeated upon arrival and Was Defeated upon arrival and victorianus himself was killed in the

fighting but as the Germans had no Siege fighting but as the Germans had no Siege Works aquelia held and a second relief Works aquelia held and a second relief Works aquelia held and a second relief Force this time led by pompe Onis and Force this time led by pompe Onis and Force this time led by pompe Onis and his trusty Lieutenant perx was able to his trusty Lieutenant perx was able to his trusty Lieutenant perx was able to pry bamar from his position and force pry bamar from his position and force pry bamar from his position and force him to retreat back into German him to retreat back into German him to retreat back into German territory Marcus and the Romans spent territory Marcus and the Romans spent territory Marcus and the Romans spent the rest of 170 launching armies across the rest of 170 launching armies across the rest of 170 launching armies across the danu on multiple fronts in an the danu on multiple fronts in an the danu on multiple fronts in an attempt to remind the Germans who was attempt to remind the Germans who was attempt to remind the Germans who was boss but the results of these actions boss but the results of these actions boss but the results of these actions were mixed at best the Germans had been were mixed at best the Germans had been were mixed at best the Germans had been purged from the Empire proper but the purged from the Empire proper but the purged from the Empire proper but the tribes were able to deal multiple tribes were able to deal multiple tribes were able to deal multiple defeats to the Romans in skirmishes and defeats to the Romans in skirmishes and defeats to the Romans in skirmishes and battles north of the battles north of the battles north of the frontier by the end of the year badly frontier by the end of the year badly frontier by the end of the year badly shaken but at least having reasserted shaken but at least having reasserted shaken but at least having reasserted Mastery of their own domain Marcus Mastery of their own domain Marcus Mastery of their own domain Marcus opened negotiations with the various opened negotiations with the various opened negotiations with the various tribes to see what could be done about tribes to see what could be done about tribes to see what could be done about re isolating them from one re isolating them from one re isolating them from one another through a combination of carrots another through a combination of carrots another through a combination of carrots and sticks Marcus managed to break both and sticks Marcus managed to break both and sticks Marcus managed to break both the aigis and the quadi one of the other the aigis and the quadi one of the other the aigis and the quadi one of the other seriously badass German tribes from seriously badass German tribes from seriously badass German tribes from bomar's Coalition with both promising bomar's Coalition with both promising bomar's Coalition with both promising neither to fight the Romans themselves neither to fight the Romans themselves neither to fight the Romans themselves nor lend support to those Germans who nor lend support to those Germans who nor lend support to those Germans who did the Romans were able to further did the Romans were able to further did the Romans were able to further fracture German Unity as lesser tribes fracture German Unity as lesser tribes fracture German Unity as lesser tribes began to get the sense that if they began to get the sense that if they began to get the sense that if they didn't cut their own deal with the didn't cut their own deal with the didn't cut their own deal with the Empire that they would be left out in Empire that they would be left out in Empire that they would be left out in the cold when the big dogs decided to the cold when the big dogs decided to the cold when the big dogs decided to make make make peace not that diplomacy was the only peace not that diplomacy was the only peace not that diplomacy was the only tool working in the Roman kit in 171 a tool working in the Roman kit in 171 a tool working in the Roman kit in 171 a midsized tribe was taken out of the

midsized tribe was taken out of the midsized tribe was taken out of the fighting when their Chief was killed in fighting when their Chief was killed in fighting when their Chief was killed in single combat by a rising legionary single combat by a rising legionary single combat by a rising legionary General named Valerius General named Valerius General named Valerius maximianus this Duel not only had the maximianus this Duel not only had the maximianus this Duel not only had the immediate effect of pacifying that one immediate effect of pacifying that one immediate effect of pacifying that one particular tribe but its propaganda particular tribe but its propaganda particular tribe but its propaganda value to the Romans was enormous it was value to the Romans was enormous it was value to the Romans was enormous it was was an exploit straight out of Livy's was an exploit straight out of Livy's was an exploit straight out of Livy's Tales of Rome's early Heroes and Marcus Tales of Rome's early Heroes and Marcus Tales of Rome's early Heroes and Marcus was quick to spread the tale of maximus' was quick to spread the tale of maximus' was quick to spread the tale of maximus' Victory to friend and foe Victory to friend and foe Victory to friend and foe alike with the quadi and eigi bought off alike with the quadi and eigi bought off alike with the quadi and eigi bought off and other lesser tribes beginning to and other lesser tribes beginning to and other lesser tribes beginning to question the fancy Tales balar had spun question the fancy Tales balar had spun question the fancy Tales balar had spun about Roman weakness Marcus pressed about Roman weakness Marcus pressed about Roman weakness Marcus pressed forward and led the legions across the forward and led the legions across the forward and led the legions across the danu on a punitive campaign in 172 to danu on a punitive campaign in 172 to danu on a punitive campaign in 172 to punish those Germans who continued to punish those Germans who continued to punish those Germans who continued to resist though we know little about the resist though we know little about the resist though we know little about the details of the campaign we know that details of the campaign we know that details of the campaign we know that Bomar and the Marco Mani were humbled Bomar and the Marco Mani were humbled Bomar and the Marco Mani were humbled enough that peace terms were agreed to enough that peace terms were agreed to enough that peace terms were agreed to that included the return of Roman that included the return of Roman that included the return of Roman prisoners of War and the Marco Mani prisoners of War and the Marco Mani prisoners of War and the Marco Mani respecting a 10m neutral zone north of respecting a 10m neutral zone north of respecting a 10m neutral zone north of the the the danu Marcus thought enough of the danu Marcus thought enough of the danu Marcus thought enough of the results of his efforts that coins from results of his efforts that coins from results of his efforts that coins from the next year bore the happy slogan the next year bore the happy slogan the next year bore the happy slogan subjugated Germany and he took for subjugated Germany and he took for subjugated Germany and he took for himself the title himself the title himself the title germanicus but this was not the end of germanicus but this was not the end of germanicus but this was not the end of marcus' Adventures along the D marcus' Adventures along the D marcus' Adventures along the D not by a long shot watching the Romans gain ground shot watching the Romans gain ground provoked fear among both the Eis and the provoked fear among both the Eis and the provoked fear among both the Eis and the quadi that perhaps they had come to quadi that perhaps they had come to quadi that perhaps they had come to terms too

terms too terms too quickly the Eis in particular worried quickly the Eis in particular worried quickly the Eis in particular worried about noise being made by Marcus that he about noise being made by Marcus that he about noise being made by Marcus that he felt the Eastern Nomads who are not felt the Eastern Nomads who are not felt the Eastern Nomads who are not Germans per se were too dangerous to Germans per se were too dangerous to Germans per se were too dangerous to tolerate in any fashion and that he tolerate in any fashion and that he tolerate in any fashion and that he considered outright genocide to be the considered outright genocide to be the considered outright genocide to be the best policy for the Romans to best policy for the Romans to best policy for the Romans to pursue the Eis finding themselves pursue the Eis finding themselves pursue the Eis finding themselves considered not an equal power to be considered not an equal power to be considered not an equal power to be dealt with honestly but a menace in need dealt with honestly but a menace in need dealt with honestly but a menace in need of extermination decided to resume of extermination decided to resume of extermination decided to resume hostilities but now fighting alone hostilities but now fighting alone hostilities but now fighting alone rather than is the part of a larger rather than is the part of a larger rather than is the part of a larger Coalition the Eis were defeated by the Coalition the Eis were defeated by the Coalition the Eis were defeated by the Romans in battle and were forced to Romans in battle and were forced to Romans in battle and were forced to withdraw or face the kind of genocidal withdraw or face the kind of genocidal withdraw or face the kind of genocidal Purge Marcus seemed to be Purge Marcus seemed to be Purge Marcus seemed to be planning this defeat of the Eis appr planning this defeat of the Eis appr planning this defeat of the Eis appr prompted Rank and file quadi to revolt prompted Rank and file quadi to revolt prompted Rank and file quadi to revolt against their leadership expel the Roman against their leadership expel the Roman against their leadership expel the Roman approved King and send money and men to approved King and send money and men to approved King and send money and men to help the zigis in their struggle for help the zigis in their struggle for help the zigis in their struggle for survival having already been accused by survival having already been accused by survival having already been accused by legionary officers of offering Sanctuary legionary officers of offering Sanctuary legionary officers of offering Sanctuary to Germans still fighting Rome this to Germans still fighting Rome this to Germans still fighting Rome this latest affront was too much to bear and latest affront was too much to bear and latest affront was too much to bear and as quickly as they had ceased as quickly as they had ceased as quickly as they had ceased hostilities war with the quadi was back hostilities war with the quadi was back hostilities war with the quadi was back on and not just War the combined effect on and not just War the combined effect on and not just War the combined effect of their clandestine support for Rome's of their clandestine support for Rome's of their clandestine support for Rome's enemies and this latest overt abreg of enemies and this latest overt abreg of enemies and this latest overt abreg of the treaty convinced Marcus that the the treaty convinced Marcus that the the treaty convinced Marcus that the very existence of the 2 was too very existence of the 2 was too very existence of the 2 was too dangerous to tolerate more and more this dangerous to tolerate more and more this dangerous to tolerate more and more this war ceased to be about restoring the old war ceased to be about restoring the old war ceased to be about restoring the old Border stability and began to coales as Border stability and began to coales as Border stability and began to coales as a genocidal campaign to eliminate huge a genocidal campaign to eliminate huge a genocidal campaign to eliminate huge portions of the German

population in late 173 a combined force population in late 173 a combined force of quad and aigis raided panonia but as of quad and aigis raided panonia but as of quad and aigis raided panonia but as they made their way back across the they made their way back across the they made their way back across the Frozen danu they were surprised by a Frozen danu they were surprised by a Frozen danu they were surprised by a Roman army led by Marcus personally who Roman army led by Marcus personally who Roman army led by Marcus personally who in a very short time time had in a very short time time had in a very short time time had transformed himself from a bookish transformed himself from a bookish transformed himself from a bookish philosopher into a highly effective philosopher into a highly effective philosopher into a highly effective leader of leader of leader of men that is not to say that he ceased men that is not to say that he ceased men that is not to say that he ceased his intellectual Reflections just that his intellectual Reflections just that his intellectual Reflections just that he refused to allow his natural tendency he refused to allow his natural tendency he refused to allow his natural tendency towards intellectual isolation to get in towards intellectual isolation to get in towards intellectual isolation to get in the way of the fact that right now Rome the way of the fact that right now Rome the way of the fact that right now Rome needed a general not a needed a general not a needed a general not a philosopher but when he wasn't consumed philosopher but when he wasn't consumed philosopher but when he wasn't consumed with running his various campaigns with running his various campaigns with running his various campaigns Marcus did steal time for himself and it Marcus did steal time for himself and it Marcus did steal time for himself and it was during the war with the quadi in was during the war with the quadi in was during the war with the quadi in particular that he began to write and particular that he began to write and particular that he began to write and compile what would become known as the compile what would become known as the compile what would become known as the meditations a book mostly comprising meditations a book mostly comprising meditations a book mostly comprising self-reflective aphorisms designed to self-reflective aphorisms designed to self-reflective aphorisms designed to help Marcus himself deal with the help Marcus himself deal with the help Marcus himself deal with the immense burden he was forced to bear I immense burden he was forced to bear I immense burden he was forced to bear I hope to elaborate on this key addition hope to elaborate on this key addition hope to elaborate on this key addition to the Western Cannon a bit more next to the Western Cannon a bit more next to the Western Cannon a bit more next week in 174 Marcus ordered a two-pronged week in 174 Marcus ordered a two-pronged week in 174 Marcus ordered a two-pronged assault across the danu one aiming at assault across the danu one aiming at assault across the danu one aiming at the zigis led by Marcus himself and the the zigis led by Marcus himself and the the zigis led by Marcus himself and the other aiming at the quadi led by perx other aiming at the quadi led by perx other aiming at the quadi led by perx who was fast making a name for himself who was fast making a name for himself who was fast making a name for himself as one of the Empire's key go-to as one of the Empire's key go-to as one of the Empire's key go-to guys the two campaigns of 174 are guys the two campaigns of 174 are guys the two campaigns of 174 are notable for providing the Romans with notable for providing the Romans with notable for providing the Romans with the two great miracles of the war two the two great miracles of the war two the two great miracles of the war two Miracles which cemented in the Miracles which cemented in the Miracles which cemented in the imaginations of the general Roman

imaginations of the general Roman imaginations of the general Roman citizenry the notion that they're citizenry the notion that they're citizenry the notion that they're elitist philosophic and perhaps not elitist philosophic and perhaps not elitist philosophic and perhaps not entirely liked Emperor Marcus Aurelius entirely liked Emperor Marcus Aurelius entirely liked Emperor Marcus Aurelius was in fact a gift sent by the Gods to was in fact a gift sent by the Gods to was in fact a gift sent by the Gods to save Rome from the German save Rome from the German save Rome from the German Menace the first miracle came while Menace the first miracle came while Menace the first miracle came while Marcus was campaigning against the Marcus was campaigning against the Marcus was campaigning against the Eis the Romans were being pressed hard Eis the Romans were being pressed hard Eis the Romans were being pressed hard and defeat seemed imminent when suddenly and defeat seemed imminent when suddenly and defeat seemed imminent when suddenly the clouds darkened and a lightning bolt the clouds darkened and a lightning bolt the clouds darkened and a lightning bolt struck and destroyed the German Siege struck and destroyed the German Siege struck and destroyed the German Siege Works terrified the eige line collapsed Works terrified the eige line collapsed Works terrified the eige line collapsed and Marcus rolled to Victory this became and Marcus rolled to Victory this became and Marcus rolled to Victory this became known as the lightning known as the lightning known as the lightning Miracle the second Miracle came came Miracle the second Miracle came came Miracle the second Miracle came came about a month later while perx fought about a month later while perx fought about a month later while perx fought the the the quadi the Romans found themselves quadi the Romans found themselves quadi the Romans found themselves surrounded by a much larger quad force surrounded by a much larger quad force surrounded by a much larger quad force and though they were able to temporarily and though they were able to temporarily and though they were able to temporarily resist attack there seemed to be no resist attack there seemed to be no resist attack there seemed to be no Escape compounding the danger was the Escape compounding the danger was the Escape compounding the danger was the fact that the quadi had effectively fact that the quadi had effectively fact that the quadi had effectively blocked Roman access to fresh water and blocked Roman access to fresh water and blocked Roman access to fresh water and in the heat the legions were becoming in the heat the legions were becoming in the heat the legions were becoming dehydrated with Roman morale sinking to dehydrated with Roman morale sinking to dehydrated with Roman morale sinking to its Breaking Point the quadi were about its Breaking Point the quadi were about its Breaking Point the quadi were about to launch what was shap up to be a to launch what was shap up to be a to launch what was shap up to be a massacre when suddenly the clear skies massacre when suddenly the clear skies massacre when suddenly the clear skies clouded over and began pouring clouded over and began pouring clouded over and began pouring rain the demoralized legions suddenly rain the demoralized legions suddenly rain the demoralized legions suddenly sprang back to life catching water in sprang back to life catching water in sprang back to life catching water in their Shields and helmets and drinking their Shields and helmets and drinking their Shields and helmets and drinking deeply from this sudden gift from the deeply from this sudden gift from the deeply from this sudden gift from the gods the quadi recognizing that they gods the quadi recognizing that they gods the quadi recognizing that they needed to act fast closed in on the

needed to act fast closed in on the needed to act fast closed in on the Romans many of whom were so busy Romans many of whom were so busy Romans many of whom were so busy drinking that they forgot to watch out drinking that they forgot to watch out drinking that they forgot to watch out for the for the for the enemy the ensuing battle was a mass of enemy the ensuing battle was a mass of enemy the ensuing battle was a mass of blood mud and rainwater but the sudden blood mud and rainwater but the sudden blood mud and rainwater but the sudden turn in the weather proved decisive as turn in the weather proved decisive as turn in the weather proved decisive as the quadi were driven back as much by the quadi were driven back as much by the quadi were driven back as much by hail thunder and lightning as by any hail thunder and lightning as by any hail thunder and lightning as by any Roman Roman Roman sword this became known as the rain sword this became known as the rain sword this became known as the rain miracle though neither Miracle LED to miracle though neither Miracle LED to miracle though neither Miracle LED to decisive Victory momentum had clearly decisive Victory momentum had clearly decisive Victory momentum had clearly shifted to the Romans and though the shifted to the Romans and though the shifted to the Romans and though the rest of the year saw nothing but an rest of the year saw nothing but an rest of the year saw nothing but an Inglorious series of hardfought brutal Inglorious series of hardfought brutal Inglorious series of hardfought brutal skirmishes Roman morale remained High skirmishes Roman morale remained High skirmishes Roman morale remained High while German Mor all while German Mor all while German Mor all plunged by 175 the quad were ready to plunged by 175 the quad were ready to plunged by 175 the quad were ready to settle convinced now more than ever that settle convinced now more than ever that settle convinced now more than ever that battling the favored by the gods Romans battling the favored by the gods Romans battling the favored by the gods Romans was was was pointless Marcus granted them the same pointless Marcus granted them the same pointless Marcus granted them the same peace he had offered the Marco Mani peace he had offered the Marco Mani peace he had offered the Marco Mani though he made a point of simultaneously though he made a point of simultaneously though he made a point of simultaneously lifting some of the imposed burdens on lifting some of the imposed burdens on lifting some of the imposed burdens on the Marco Mani as a reward for keeping the Marco Mani as a reward for keeping the Marco Mani as a reward for keeping out of the recent out of the recent out of the recent fighting the Eis held out for a little fighting the Eis held out for a little fighting the Eis held out for a little while longer but finding themselves while longer but finding themselves while longer but finding themselves totally isolated further hostility totally isolated further hostility totally isolated further hostility seemed seemed seemed pointless they sent envoys to Marcus pointless they sent envoys to Marcus pointless they sent envoys to Marcus requesting terms but the emperor held to requesting terms but the emperor held to requesting terms but the emperor held to his genocidal line and refused to his genocidal line and refused to his genocidal line and refused to negotiate surrender the aigis were negotiate surrender the aigis were negotiate surrender the aigis were slated for extinction nothing more and slated for extinction nothing more and slated for extinction nothing more and nothing nothing nothing less but then just as the Romans had less but then just as the Romans had less but then just as the Romans had been delivered by a sudden twist of fate

been delivered by a sudden twist of fate been delivered by a sudden twist of fate so too were the so too were the so too were the Eis just as Marcus was closing in for Eis just as Marcus was closing in for Eis just as Marcus was closing in for the kill word came of a crisis in the the kill word came of a crisis in the the kill word came of a crisis in the east east east perhaps spurred by erroneous reports of perhaps spurred by erroneous reports of perhaps spurred by erroneous reports of The Emperor's death aidus Casas hero of The Emperor's death aidus Casas hero of The Emperor's death aidus Casas hero of the parthan war who had been given the the parthan war who had been given the the parthan war who had been given the governorship of Syria as a reward for governorship of Syria as a reward for governorship of Syria as a reward for his service allowed himself to be hail his service allowed himself to be hail his service allowed himself to be hail Emperor by his troops in mid Emperor by his troops in mid Emperor by his troops in mid 175 the other Eastern Legions followed 175 the other Eastern Legions followed 175 the other Eastern Legions followed suit and just like that seemingly suit and just like that seemingly suit and just like that seemingly without cause or warning Casas found without cause or warning Casas found without cause or warning Casas found himself leading the whole Eastern Empire himself leading the whole Eastern Empire himself leading the whole Eastern Empire in revolt against Marcus in revolt against Marcus in revolt against Marcus the Syrian General could perhaps be the Syrian General could perhaps be the Syrian General could perhaps be excused for acting prematurely in a bid excused for acting prematurely in a bid excused for acting prematurely in a bid to snatch power in the vacuum Marcus's to snatch power in the vacuum Marcus's to snatch power in the vacuum Marcus's death would have left at the time his death would have left at the time his death would have left at the time his chosen air Commodus was still only 14 chosen air Commodus was still only 14 chosen air Commodus was still only 14 years old but in persisting with his years old but in persisting with his years old but in persisting with his Revolt even after he learned Marcus was Revolt even after he learned Marcus was Revolt even after he learned Marcus was alive and well cases became a full-blown alive and well cases became a full-blown alive and well cases became a full-blown Enemy of the Enemy of the Enemy of the State Marcus was forced to set aside State Marcus was forced to set aside State Marcus was forced to set aside whatever plans he had for sealing the whatever plans he had for sealing the whatever plans he had for sealing the deal along the danu and Rush East to deal along the danu and Rush East to deal along the danu and Rush East to deal with cases' revolt headon deal with cases' revolt headon deal with cases' revolt headon this sudden domestic eruption was this sudden domestic eruption was this sudden domestic eruption was nothing short of well a miracle for the nothing short of well a miracle for the nothing short of well a miracle for the Eis whose peace envoys now found Eis whose peace envoys now found Eis whose peace envoys now found themselves returning home with favorable themselves returning home with favorable themselves returning home with favorable terms they had to return their prisoners terms they had to return their prisoners terms they had to return their prisoners of war and provide about 8,000 Horsemen of war and provide about 8,000 Horsemen of war and provide about 8,000 Horsemen to act as exilar for the legions but to act as exilar for the legions but to act as exilar for the legions but other than that they would be left alone other than that they would be left alone other than that they would be left alone rather than facing extinction the Eis

rather than facing extinction the Eis rather than facing extinction the Eis found themselves welcomed into the Roman fold next we week will follow Marcus fold next we week will follow Marcus east as he attempts to quell the totally east as he attempts to quell the totally east as he attempts to quell the totally unexpected Eastern Revolt the breathing unexpected Eastern Revolt the breathing unexpected Eastern Revolt the breathing space his absence offered the Germans space his absence offered the Germans space his absence offered the Germans will allow them to regroup for a second will allow them to regroup for a second will allow them to regroup for a second round of fighting that will force Marcus round of fighting that will force Marcus round of fighting that will force Marcus to return to the danu and attempt to to return to the danu and attempt to to return to the danu and attempt to finish a job he had come so finish a job he had come so finish a job he had come so tantalizingly close to finishing already tantalizingly close to finishing already tantalizingly close to finishing already [Music] [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 94 revolt and meditations as winter turned to Spring meditations as winter turned to Spring in 175 ad Marcus aelius was at the in 175 ad Marcus aelius was at the in 175 ad Marcus aelius was at the height of his power and Prestige when he height of his power and Prestige when he height of his power and Prestige when he became emperor 14 years earlier there became emperor 14 years earlier there became emperor 14 years earlier there were very reasonable doubts about his were very reasonable doubts about his were very reasonable doubts about his ability to handle major crisis having ability to handle major crisis having ability to handle major crisis having never set foot outside of Italy or never set foot outside of Italy or never set foot outside of Italy or inside a legionary camp there is no

inside a legionary camp there is no inside a legionary camp there is no begrudging those who saw the fragile begrudging those who saw the fragile begrudging those who saw the fragile intellectual Marcus Ascend to the throne intellectual Marcus Ascend to the throne intellectual Marcus Ascend to the throne in 161 and figure a stiff breeze would in 161 and figure a stiff breeze would in 161 and figure a stiff breeze would blow his whole regime right blow his whole regime right blow his whole regime right over but since then the Empire had been over but since then the Empire had been over but since then the Empire had been drowned starved plagued and sucked into drowned starved plagued and sucked into drowned starved plagued and sucked into two major Wars one in the East against two major Wars one in the East against two major Wars one in the East against Parthia and one in the north against a Parthia and one in the north against a Parthia and one in the north against a forever shifting host of German forever shifting host of German forever shifting host of German tribes not only had frail Marcus not tribes not only had frail Marcus not tribes not only had frail Marcus not been blown over by this gale force wind been blown over by this gale force wind been blown over by this gale force wind but he had risen to meet each and every but he had risen to meet each and every but he had risen to meet each and every challenge with the perfect mix of steady challenge with the perfect mix of steady challenge with the perfect mix of steady confidence and genuine confidence and genuine confidence and genuine ability with such a capable leader ability with such a capable leader ability with such a capable leader leading so capably it is no wonder that leading so capably it is no wonder that leading so capably it is no wonder that in 175 just after Marcus was putting the in 175 just after Marcus was putting the in 175 just after Marcus was putting the finishing touches on His Brilliant finishing touches on His Brilliant finishing touches on His Brilliant Northern campaigns the Eastern Empire Northern campaigns the Eastern Empire Northern campaigns the Eastern Empire rose up in Revolt wait what let's go rose up in Revolt wait what let's go rose up in Revolt wait what let's go over that again good Emperor triumphant over that again good Emperor triumphant over that again good Emperor triumphant General effective administrator General effective administrator General effective administrator Revolt something doesn't add up to Revolt something doesn't add up to Revolt something doesn't add up to escape from this apparent political non escape from this apparent political non escape from this apparent political non sequor we need to take a look at the sequor we need to take a look at the sequor we need to take a look at the Empire situation as the spring of 175 Empire situation as the spring of 175 Empire situation as the spring of 175 Dawn from another perspective and then Dawn from another perspective and then Dawn from another perspective and then also remember that when the Revolt in also remember that when the Revolt in also remember that when the Revolt in question finally breaks out it was question finally breaks out it was question finally breaks out it was probably the result of a simple miscommunication you see not everyone miscommunication you see not everyone was super jazzed about Marcus's was super jazzed about Marcus's was super jazzed about Marcus's Adventures along the danu I didn't do Adventures along the danu I didn't do Adventures along the danu I didn't do much Soldier counting last week but much Soldier counting last week but much Soldier counting last week but during the first phase of the maram during the first phase of the maram during the first phase of the maram manic Wars Marcus had lost something

manic Wars Marcus had lost something manic Wars Marcus had lost something like 10% of the 100 to 140,000 men he like 10% of the 100 to 140,000 men he like 10% of the 100 to 140,000 men he had assembled to fight the Germans had assembled to fight the Germans had assembled to fight the Germans true only a fraction of that number were true only a fraction of that number were true only a fraction of that number were actually battle casualties with the rest actually battle casualties with the rest actually battle casualties with the rest succ coming to plague but that only succ coming to plague but that only succ coming to plague but that only reinforced the point the empire was reinforced the point the empire was reinforced the point the empire was being ravaged by small pox the provinces being ravaged by small pox the provinces being ravaged by small pox the provinces were slowly depopulating there was not were slowly depopulating there was not were slowly depopulating there was not enough hands to work the fields and what enough hands to work the fields and what enough hands to work the fields and what grain was being harvested was being sent grain was being harvested was being sent grain was being harvested was being sent to the front to feed the to the front to feed the to the front to feed the troops was now really the best time to troops was now really the best time to troops was now really the best time to be putting our foot down with the be putting our foot down with the be putting our foot down with the Germans was this really the best use of Germans was this really the best use of Germans was this really the best use of the Empire's resources the Empire's resources the Empire's resources these questions were answered at least these questions were answered at least these questions were answered at least in the East with a resounding in the East with a resounding in the East with a resounding no whether their Outlook was overly no whether their Outlook was overly no whether their Outlook was overly parochial is a question for another time parochial is a question for another time parochial is a question for another time so for now let us simply note that so for now let us simply note that so for now let us simply note that seeing only sacrifice without benefit seeing only sacrifice without benefit seeing only sacrifice without benefit the citizens of the East were becoming the citizens of the East were becoming the citizens of the East were becoming progressively more hostile towards progressively more hostile towards progressively more hostile towards Marcus aelius and his pointless war in Marcus aelius and his pointless war in Marcus aelius and his pointless war in the Frozen the Frozen the Frozen North in 172 protesting the excessive North in 172 protesting the excessive North in 172 protesting the excessive tax burden an Insurrection broke out in tax burden an Insurrection broke out in tax burden an Insurrection broke out in Egypt that was was efficiently put down Egypt that was was efficiently put down Egypt that was was efficiently put down by none other than nidus cases who in by none other than nidus cases who in by none other than nidus cases who in just a little while will find himself just a little while will find himself just a little while will find himself harnessing that same angry energy and harnessing that same angry energy and harnessing that same angry energy and his own bid for power back in Rome the Senate was power back in Rome the Senate was generally supportive of Marcus's generally supportive of Marcus's generally supportive of Marcus's policies but there was a growing faction policies but there was a growing faction policies but there was a growing faction of senators who secretly opposed the of senators who secretly opposed the of senators who secretly opposed the Imperial regime of these dissenting Imperial regime of these dissenting Imperial regime of these dissenting Nobles there were roughly two Nobles there were roughly two Nobles there were roughly two overlapping camps one was clustered

overlapping camps one was clustered overlapping camps one was clustered around the extended family of Lucius around the extended family of Lucius around the extended family of Lucius verus who felt they were be being shut verus who felt they were be being shut verus who felt they were be being shut out from their rightful seat at the out from their rightful seat at the out from their rightful seat at the table now that Lucius was dead after all table now that Lucius was dead after all table now that Lucius was dead after all wasn't it lucius's father who wise wasn't it lucius's father who wise wasn't it lucius's father who wise hadrien had elevated first and now we're hadrien had elevated first and now we're hadrien had elevated first and now we're not getting any of the good appointments not getting any of the good appointments not getting any of the good appointments any of the plum any of the plum any of the plum jobs much as the early years of the jobs much as the early years of the jobs much as the early years of the principate had been defined by the principate had been defined by the principate had been defined by the struggle between the Julio and claudian struggle between the Julio and claudian struggle between the Julio and claudian wings of the Imperial family so too was wings of the Imperial family so too was wings of the Imperial family so too was there now an undercurrent of tension there now an undercurrent of tension there now an undercurrent of tension between lucius's koni and marcus' Ani between lucius's koni and marcus' Ani between lucius's koni and marcus' Ani families families families the other Camp was a collection of the other Camp was a collection of the other Camp was a collection of senators who saw an empire in crisis and senators who saw an empire in crisis and senators who saw an empire in crisis and Marcus's obsession with Waging War along Marcus's obsession with Waging War along Marcus's obsession with Waging War along the danu only making things the danu only making things the danu only making things worse like the citizens of the East they worse like the citizens of the East they worse like the citizens of the East they too pointed to the plagues and the too pointed to the plagues and the too pointed to the plagues and the famines and the depopulation but unlike famines and the depopulation but unlike famines and the depopulation but unlike the Eastern parochial grievances these the Eastern parochial grievances these the Eastern parochial grievances these Senators saw the big picture and did not Senators saw the big picture and did not Senators saw the big picture and did not like what they saw in 171 in a sign of things to come saw in 171 in a sign of things to come moish Raiders attack attacked the moish Raiders attack attacked the moish Raiders attack attacked the practically ungarisch sent one of his better ungarisch sent one of his better generals to oversee the expulsion of the generals to oversee the expulsion of the generals to oversee the expulsion of the North African Invaders the emperor North African Invaders the emperor North African Invaders the emperor himself seemed to look upon the crisis himself seemed to look upon the crisis himself seemed to look upon the crisis as being of minor import compared to his as being of minor import compared to his as being of minor import compared to his work in work in work in Germania a number of Senators profoundly

Germania a number of Senators profoundly Germania a number of Senators profoundly disagreed with this ordering of disagreed with this ordering of disagreed with this ordering of priorities and not just because they priorities and not just because they priorities and not just because they owned extensive property on the owned extensive property on the owned extensive property on the peninsula which yeah they did but also peninsula which yeah they did but also peninsula which yeah they did but also because they looked at Marcus expending because they looked at Marcus expending because they looked at Marcus expending 140,000 men in defense of some frozen 140,000 men in defense of some frozen 140,000 men in defense of some frozen patch of dank Forest while Spain burned patch of dank Forest while Spain burned patch of dank Forest while Spain burned and couldn't help but wonder what on and couldn't help but wonder what on and couldn't help but wonder what on Earth the emperor was Earth the emperor was Earth the emperor was thinking but it was not just the trouble thinking but it was not just the trouble thinking but it was not just the trouble in Spain that gave them pause it was in Spain that gave them pause it was in Spain that gave them pause it was also the fact that the natives of also the fact that the natives of also the fact that the natives of Britannia took marcus' almost Britannia took marcus' almost Britannia took marcus' almost single-minded focus on the German single-minded focus on the German single-minded focus on the German question as a sign that they ought to to question as a sign that they ought to to question as a sign that they ought to to once again attempt to expel the Romans once again attempt to expel the Romans once again attempt to expel the Romans from their from their from their Island so the East was being worked to Island so the East was being worked to Island so the East was being worked to death the West was dealing with death the West was dealing with death the West was dealing with uprisings and invasions on multiple uprisings and invasions on multiple uprisings and invasions on multiple fronts and all the while the antonine fronts and all the while the antonine fronts and all the while the antonine plague continued to take its toll and plague continued to take its toll and plague continued to take its toll and where was the emperor fighting where was the emperor fighting where was the emperor fighting uncivilized rabble in the north by day uncivilized rabble in the north by day uncivilized rabble in the north by day and composing esoteric philosophy in his and composing esoteric philosophy in his and composing esoteric philosophy in his tent By Night enter a vidious cashes now as I've mentioned once or cashes now as I've mentioned once or twice aidus cases probably did not mean twice aidus cases probably did not mean twice aidus cases probably did not mean to lead a Revolt the hero of the parthan to lead a Revolt the hero of the parthan to lead a Revolt the hero of the parthan war had been on friendly terms with the war had been on friendly terms with the war had been on friendly terms with the Imperial family for years and in Imperial family for years and in Imperial family for years and in particular maintained a correspondence particular maintained a correspondence particular maintained a correspondence with the empress with the empress with the empress fostina during the winter of 174 175 it fostina during the winter of 174 175 it fostina during the winter of 174 175 it seems that marcus' Health had seems that marcus' Health had seems that marcus' Health had deteriorated to the point that fosa was deteriorated to the point that fosa was deteriorated to the point that fosa was openly expressing concern to cashes openly expressing concern to cashes openly expressing concern to cashes about the delicate issue of about the delicate issue of about the delicate issue of succession Commodus both her and marcus'

succession Commodus both her and marcus' succession Commodus both her and marcus' first choice to be Heir was not yet a first choice to be Heir was not yet a first choice to be Heir was not yet a man and if Marcus died the Empire could man and if Marcus died the Empire could man and if Marcus died the Empire could be sucked into a Civil be sucked into a Civil be sucked into a Civil War the details of all this are sketchy War the details of all this are sketchy War the details of all this are sketchy as the correspondence between the two as the correspondence between the two as the correspondence between the two was burned after cases' death but it was burned after cases' death but it was burned after cases' death but it seems like fosa may have offered her seems like fosa may have offered her seems like fosa may have offered her hand in marriage to cases in exchange hand in marriage to cases in exchange hand in marriage to cases in exchange for cashes protecting Commodus eventual for cashes protecting Commodus eventual for cashes protecting Commodus eventual claim to the throne it also seems that claim to the throne it also seems that claim to the throne it also seems that cashes may have missed the if Marcus cashes may have missed the if Marcus cashes may have missed the if Marcus died part of the sentence and perhaps died part of the sentence and perhaps died part of the sentence and perhaps spurred on by other rumors took the Note spurred on by other rumors took the Note spurred on by other rumors took the Note to read that the emperor was dead and to read that the emperor was dead and to read that the emperor was dead and fosa was urging him to claim the fosa was urging him to claim the fosa was urging him to claim the throne in the spring of 175 then cases throne in the spring of 175 then cases throne in the spring of 175 then cases allowed himself to be proclaimed allowed himself to be proclaimed allowed himself to be proclaimed imperator by the Syrian Legions an oath imperator by the Syrian Legions an oath imperator by the Syrian Legions an oath that was quickly seconded by the that was quickly seconded by the that was quickly seconded by the Egyptian and Palestinian Egyptian and Palestinian Egyptian and Palestinian garrisons but the tide of sedition garrisons but the tide of sedition garrisons but the tide of sedition stopped short in capid doia where marus stopped short in capid doia where marus stopped short in capid doia where marus verus cashes his old comrade from the verus cashes his old comrade from the verus cashes his old comrade from the parthian wars refused to sign on instead parthian wars refused to sign on instead parthian wars refused to sign on instead he dispatched a message to Marcus he dispatched a message to Marcus he dispatched a message to Marcus warning him the East was in warning him the East was in warning him the East was in Revolt as I said at the end of last week Revolt as I said at the end of last week Revolt as I said at the end of last week the emperor was forced to drop what he the emperor was forced to drop what he the emperor was forced to drop what he was doing make peace with the Eis before was doing make peace with the Eis before was doing make peace with the Eis before they learned that Rome was divided and they learned that Rome was divided and they learned that Rome was divided and then head east to confront the then head east to confront the then head east to confront the Rebellion coming to terms with the Rebellion coming to terms with the Rebellion coming to terms with the surprise Nomads he packed up the surprise Nomads he packed up the surprise Nomads he packed up the Imperial Entourage along with fostina Imperial Entourage along with fostina Imperial Entourage along with fostina and Commodus both of whom were living in and Commodus both of whom were living in and Commodus both of whom were living in the camp with him at the time and made the camp with him at the time and made the camp with him at the time and made with all haste for with all haste for with all haste for Syria to the Delight of conspiracy

Syria to the Delight of conspiracy Syria to the Delight of conspiracy theorists who believe that fosa and theorists who believe that fosa and theorists who believe that fosa and cases were not the victims of some cases were not the victims of some cases were not the victims of some innocent miscommunication and were innocent miscommunication and were innocent miscommunication and were instead actively plotting behind marcus' instead actively plotting behind marcus' instead actively plotting behind marcus' back fostina became sick while the back fostina became sick while the back fostina became sick while the Caravan passed through capid doia and Caravan passed through capid doia and Caravan passed through capid doia and succumbing to the illness suddenly died succumbing to the illness suddenly died succumbing to the illness suddenly died in mid in mid in mid 175 as with all Imperial deaths it was 175 as with all Imperial deaths it was 175 as with all Imperial deaths it was suspected that Marcus had D her in for suspected that Marcus had D her in for suspected that Marcus had D her in for conspiring against him or that she had conspiring against him or that she had conspiring against him or that she had committed suicide knowing that all the committed suicide knowing that all the committed suicide knowing that all the sorted details of her plot were about to sorted details of her plot were about to sorted details of her plot were about to come come come out but no one has ever been able to out but no one has ever been able to out but no one has ever been able to show that her relationship with Marcus show that her relationship with Marcus show that her relationship with Marcus involved anything but unwavering support involved anything but unwavering support involved anything but unwavering support or that her death was anything more than or that her death was anything more than or that her death was anything more than a sad tragedy for the emperor yet a sad tragedy for the emperor yet a sad tragedy for the emperor yet another sad tragedy and a life full of another sad tragedy and a life full of another sad tragedy and a life full of them cases' Revolt lasted 3 months and 6 them cases' Revolt lasted 3 months and 6 them cases' Revolt lasted 3 months and 6 days though he was eventually alerted to days though he was eventually alerted to days though he was eventually alerted to the fact that the emperor was you know the fact that the emperor was you know the fact that the emperor was you know alive cases decided to persist probably alive cases decided to persist probably alive cases decided to persist probably Reckoning that the die was a Reckoning that the die was a Reckoning that the die was a cast in any event he knew that there was cast in any event he knew that there was cast in any event he knew that there was untapped discontent among the nobility untapped discontent among the nobility untapped discontent among the nobility that might just rally enough of them to that might just rally enough of them to that might just rally enough of them to his cause that he could Salvage the his cause that he could Salvage the his cause that he could Salvage the situation but the private haters in the situation but the private haters in the situation but the private haters in the Senate unorganized and likely unknown Senate unorganized and likely unknown Senate unorganized and likely unknown even to each other were not going to even to each other were not going to even to each other were not going to stick their necks out for the Syrian stick their necks out for the Syrian stick their necks out for the Syrian General and before Marcus could stop General and before Marcus could stop General and before Marcus could stop them the Senate declared cases An Enemy them the Senate declared cases An Enemy them the Senate declared cases An Enemy of the of the of the State had he been able to the emperor State had he been able to the emperor State had he been able to the emperor would have killed the resolution as he would have killed the resolution as he would have killed the resolution as he was looking forward forward to was looking forward forward to was looking forward forward to generously pardoning his old friend

generously pardoning his old friend generously pardoning his old friend cases for the mistake he had cases for the mistake he had cases for the mistake he had made but the Declaration was made and made but the Declaration was made and made but the Declaration was made and soon after one of cashes his own soon after one of cashes his own soon after one of cashes his own centurions patriotically assassinated centurions patriotically assassinated centurions patriotically assassinated the Rogue General and sent his head to the Rogue General and sent his head to the Rogue General and sent his head to Marcus the emperor robbed of his chance Marcus the emperor robbed of his chance Marcus the emperor robbed of his chance to demonstrate his magnanimity refused to demonstrate his magnanimity refused to demonstrate his magnanimity refused to view the remains and ordered the head to view the remains and ordered the head to view the remains and ordered the head buried with honors though the Revolt fizzled out as honors though the Revolt fizzled out as quickly as it had Arisen Marcus quickly as it had Arisen Marcus quickly as it had Arisen Marcus continued his March East continued his March East continued his March East cases' Rebellion had not emerged from cases' Rebellion had not emerged from cases' Rebellion had not emerged from nothing clearly the Eastern provinces nothing clearly the Eastern provinces nothing clearly the Eastern provinces were feeling put out and put upon so the were feeling put out and put upon so the were feeling put out and put upon so the emperor wisely decided to Dole out a emperor wisely decided to Dole out a emperor wisely decided to Dole out a little Imperial little Imperial little Imperial TLC but along with the carrots he TLC but along with the carrots he TLC but along with the carrots he planned to sprinkle across the East planned to sprinkle across the East planned to sprinkle across the East Marcus also broke out one big stick he Marcus also broke out one big stick he Marcus also broke out one big stick he made a point of bypassing Antioch as he made a point of bypassing Antioch as he made a point of bypassing Antioch as he made his way through Syria this made his way through Syria this made his way through Syria this intentional snubbing of the city that intentional snubbing of the city that intentional snubbing of the city that had been the first to support cases was had been the first to support cases was had been the first to support cases was made permanent by Marcus's declaration made permanent by Marcus's declaration made permanent by Marcus's declaration that all games were indefinitely that all games were indefinitely that all games were indefinitely canceled in the city the Gladiator canceled in the city the Gladiator canceled in the city the Gladiator fighting and Chariot racing mad citizens fighting and Chariot racing mad citizens fighting and Chariot racing mad citizens of Antioch had to suffer through six of Antioch had to suffer through six of Antioch had to suffer through six years without a sport spectacle of any years without a sport spectacle of any years without a sport spectacle of any kind until Commodus lifted the kind until Commodus lifted the kind until Commodus lifted the injunction after Marcus's injunction after Marcus's injunction after Marcus's death which I suppose makes this as good death which I suppose makes this as good death which I suppose makes this as good a time as any to formally introduce a time as any to formally introduce a time as any to formally introduce Lucius arelius Commodus who was by his Lucius arelius Commodus who was by his Lucius arelius Commodus who was by his father's side during all of this and who father's side during all of this and who father's side during all of this and who would remain with the emperor for the would remain with the emperor for the would remain with the emperor for the duration of Marx's duration of Marx's duration of Marx's life as I said last week he had been

life as I said last week he had been life as I said last week he had been born a twin in 161 but lost his brother born a twin in 161 but lost his brother born a twin in 161 but lost his brother 3 years later to Childhood 3 years later to Childhood 3 years later to Childhood disease initially he had taken a disease initially he had taken a disease initially he had taken a backseat to a younger brother named backseat to a younger brother named backseat to a younger brother named Marcus anus virus who had been born in Marcus anus virus who had been born in Marcus anus virus who had been born in 162 and was pretty clearly the emperor's 162 and was pretty clearly the emperor's 162 and was pretty clearly the emperor's favorite but when the younger Marcus favorite but when the younger Marcus favorite but when the younger Marcus died in 169 after failing to recover died in 169 after failing to recover died in 169 after failing to recover from a dangerous surgery Commodus was from a dangerous surgery Commodus was from a dangerous surgery Commodus was left as the emperor's only surviving son left as the emperor's only surviving son left as the emperor's only surviving son and thus became the AA and thus became the AA and thus became the AA parent much as made in the histories parent much as made in the histories parent much as made in the histories that comed's character or lack thereof that comed's character or lack thereof that comed's character or lack thereof was evident from early on but since was evident from early on but since was evident from early on but since these biographies were written well these biographies were written well these biographies were written well after his assassination in 192 we can after his assassination in 192 we can after his assassination in 192 we can probably suspect that the accounts of probably suspect that the accounts of probably suspect that the accounts of Common's early years are to some degree Common's early years are to some degree Common's early years are to some degree mere literary foreshadowing once Commodus was left as foreshadowing once Commodus was left as the only surviving son there was never the only surviving son there was never the only surviving son there was never any question that Marcus planned for the any question that Marcus planned for the any question that Marcus planned for the boy to succeed Fe him the emperor even boy to succeed Fe him the emperor even boy to succeed Fe him the emperor even had a policy of marrying his daughters had a policy of marrying his daughters had a policy of marrying his daughters off to Men of far lower status than one off to Men of far lower status than one off to Men of far lower status than one might expect an imperial princess to might expect an imperial princess to might expect an imperial princess to command so that communist would have no command so that communist would have no command so that communist would have no Rivals within the Rivals within the Rivals within the family the best of marcus' sons-in-law family the best of marcus' sons-in-law family the best of marcus' sons-in-law was Claudius pompe Onis who Marcus had was Claudius pompe Onis who Marcus had was Claudius pompe Onis who Marcus had married to Lucius virus's Widow Lucilla married to Lucius virus's Widow Lucilla married to Lucius virus's Widow Lucilla but pompe Onis too was of lowly origin but pompe Onis too was of lowly origin but pompe Onis too was of lowly origin and he had risen to his high rank in the and he had risen to his high rank in the and he had risen to his high rank in the Army by marcus' favor alone and was Army by marcus' favor alone and was Army by marcus' favor alone and was disdained by most of the nobility disdained by most of the nobility disdained by most of the nobility including fosa who had been furiously including fosa who had been furiously including fosa who had been furiously opposed to the

opposed to the opposed to the wedding commus received the same world wedding commus received the same world wedding commus received the same world class home tutored education Marcus had class home tutored education Marcus had class home tutored education Marcus had received but with one key received but with one key received but with one key difference while Marcus had been kept difference while Marcus had been kept difference while Marcus had been kept away from the Army communist accompanied away from the Army communist accompanied away from the Army communist accompanied marcuson campaign from at least 172 on marcuson campaign from at least 172 on marcuson campaign from at least 172 on and became much like Caligula before him and became much like Caligula before him and became much like Caligula before him a beloved mascot of sorts for the rank a beloved mascot of sorts for the rank a beloved mascot of sorts for the rank and file and file and file soldiers cementing the relationship soldiers cementing the relationship soldiers cementing the relationship between air and army a relationship between air and army a relationship between air and army a relationship Marcus himself had literally been forced Marcus himself had literally been forced Marcus himself had literally been forced to pay for the emperor had Commodus Dawn to pay for the emperor had Commodus Dawn to pay for the emperor had Commodus Dawn the toga of manhood in July 175 in a the toga of manhood in July 175 in a the toga of manhood in July 175 in a legionary camp along the danu rather legionary camp along the danu rather legionary camp along the danu rather than back home in Rome as would have than back home in Rome as would have than back home in Rome as would have been been been customary at 14 the Commodus was on the customary at 14 the Commodus was on the customary at 14 the Commodus was on the Leading Edge of when it was appropriate Leading Edge of when it was appropriate Leading Edge of when it was appropriate to Dawn the Tog of villis which usually to Dawn the Tog of villis which usually to Dawn the Tog of villis which usually happen sometime between the ages of 14 happen sometime between the ages of 14 happen sometime between the ages of 14 and 18 but cashes his Revolt up the and 18 but cashes his Revolt up the and 18 but cashes his Revolt up the timetable timetable timetable Marcus had to be sure that whatever Marcus had to be sure that whatever Marcus had to be sure that whatever happened his chosen Heir would be happened his chosen Heir would be happened his chosen Heir would be literally man enough to succeed him though the immediate crisis ended him though the immediate crisis ended with cases' assassination and the Revolt with cases' assassination and the Revolt with cases' assassination and the Revolt petering out the fact that Commodus was petering out the fact that Commodus was petering out the fact that Commodus was now a man would go a long way towards now a man would go a long way towards now a man would go a long way towards suppressing future suppressing future suppressing future Insurrection after all the whole premise Insurrection after all the whole premise Insurrection after all the whole premise of cases' Revolt was that should Marcus of cases' Revolt was that should Marcus of cases' Revolt was that should Marcus die a dangerous power vacuum would open die a dangerous power vacuum would open die a dangerous power vacuum would open up that the child communist would have up that the child communist would have up that the child communist would have been unable to fill been unable to fill been unable to fill but Commodus the man hopefully was a but Commodus the man hopefully was a but Commodus the man hopefully was a different

different different story Father and Son wintered in story Father and Son wintered in story Father and Son wintered in Alexandria and then spent 176 making Alexandria and then spent 176 making Alexandria and then spent 176 making their way back to their way back to their way back to Rome the settlement with the various Rome the settlement with the various Rome the settlement with the various German tribes seemed to be holding and German tribes seemed to be holding and German tribes seemed to be holding and for the first time in a long time Rome for the first time in a long time Rome for the first time in a long time Rome had no enemies to fight so the emperor had no enemies to fight so the emperor had no enemies to fight so the emperor was free to return was free to return was free to return home both on his way to and returning home both on his way to and returning home both on his way to and returning from the East Marcus initiated a number from the East Marcus initiated a number from the East Marcus initiated a number of reforms that he hoped would help of reforms that he hoped would help of reforms that he hoped would help nullify the causes of all the various nullify the causes of all the various nullify the causes of all the various troubles that had been plaguing the troubles that had been plaguing the troubles that had been plaguing the Empire up to and including the Revolt of Empire up to and including the Revolt of Empire up to and including the Revolt of aidus aidus aidus cashes first his settlement with the cashes first his settlement with the cashes first his settlement with the aigis forced on him by circumstance aigis forced on him by circumstance aigis forced on him by circumstance actually turned out to be a positive actually turned out to be a positive actually turned out to be a positive development as Marcus dispatched 8,000 development as Marcus dispatched 8,000 development as Marcus dispatched 8,000 aigi Horsemen to Britain to help quell aigi Horsemen to Britain to help quell aigi Horsemen to Britain to help quell the native Uprising there at the same the native Uprising there at the same the native Uprising there at the same time he collected an auxiliary force of time he collected an auxiliary force of time he collected an auxiliary force of some 20,000 Allied Germans that is some 20,000 Allied Germans that is some 20,000 Allied Germans that is tribes whose peace terms with Rome had tribes whose peace terms with Rome had tribes whose peace terms with Rome had involved the pledging of troops and involved the pledging of troops and involved the pledging of troops and ordered them to Syria where they would ordered them to Syria where they would ordered them to Syria where they would set up shop and watch over not only the set up shop and watch over not only the set up shop and watch over not only the Border but the locals as Border but the locals as Border but the locals as well the emperor also declared that well the emperor also declared that well the emperor also declared that henceforth no Senator would be allowed henceforth no Senator would be allowed henceforth no Senator would be allowed governorship of his home Province as governorship of his home Province as governorship of his home Province as cases had been with Syria and which was cases had been with Syria and which was cases had been with Syria and which was definitely part of the reason why he had definitely part of the reason why he had definitely part of the reason why he had felt so confident in his little power felt so confident in his little power felt so confident in his little power grab the thrust of all of these grab the thrust of all of these grab the thrust of all of these initiatives is clear the shuffling of initiatives is clear the shuffling of initiatives is clear the shuffling of regional forces would have had the regional forces would have had the regional forces would have had the effect of not only depleting the ranks effect of not only depleting the ranks effect of not only depleting the ranks of potentially rebellious natives but of potentially rebellious natives but of potentially rebellious natives but also simultaneously putting them in

also simultaneously putting them in also simultaneously putting them in charge of other natives to whom they had charge of other natives to whom they had charge of other natives to whom they had no affinity and no reason to support and no affinity and no reason to support and no affinity and no reason to support and within whom the imported soldiers would within whom the imported soldiers would within whom the imported soldiers would find no find no find no support and with the leadership brought support and with the leadership brought support and with the leadership brought in from yet another region Marcus would in from yet another region Marcus would in from yet another region Marcus would be effectively alienating everyone from be effectively alienating everyone from be effectively alienating everyone from everyone everyone everyone else in due time he planned to recruit else in due time he planned to recruit else in due time he planned to recruit soldiers from the East and ship them up soldiers from the East and ship them up soldiers from the East and ship them up to the danu to complete his Circle of to the danu to complete his Circle of to the danu to complete his Circle of soldier citizen leadership alienation soldier citizen leadership alienation soldier citizen leadership alienation and prevent future unifications of and prevent future unifications of and prevent future unifications of interest that led to things like cases' interest that led to things like cases' interest that led to things like cases' Revolt the Imperial Caravan made its way Revolt the Imperial Caravan made its way Revolt the Imperial Caravan made its way to Rome by way of Greece and Athens to Rome by way of Greece and Athens to Rome by way of Greece and Athens where both Emperor and Heir were where both Emperor and Heir were where both Emperor and Heir were inducted into the eloian Mysteries an inducted into the eloian Mysteries an inducted into the eloian Mysteries an act of particular significance as it act of particular significance as it act of particular significance as it demonstrated that some degree of normaly demonstrated that some degree of normaly demonstrated that some degree of normaly was returning to the middle Empire and was returning to the middle Empire and was returning to the middle Empire and that despite the destruction of its that despite the destruction of its that despite the destruction of its Ancient Temple the mystery religion par Ancient Temple the mystery religion par Ancient Temple the mystery religion par excellance was still going excellance was still going excellance was still going strong Marcus and Commodus remained in strong Marcus and Commodus remained in strong Marcus and Commodus remained in Athens for a time enjoying one of the Athens for a time enjoying one of the Athens for a time enjoying one of the Empire's great cultural centers and Empire's great cultural centers and Empire's great cultural centers and while there Marcus decided to Echo while there Marcus decided to Echo while there Marcus decided to Echo Hadrian's push to rejuvenate the city Hadrian's push to rejuvenate the city Hadrian's push to rejuvenate the city but instead of sponsoring architectural but instead of sponsoring architectural but instead of sponsoring architectural projects He endowed four philosophy projects He endowed four philosophy projects He endowed four philosophy chairs one each of the four major chairs one each of the four major chairs one each of the four major schools platonism aristotelianism schools platonism aristotelianism schools platonism aristotelianism epicureanism and stoicism the latter of epicureanism and stoicism the latter of epicureanism and stoicism the latter of which obviously being the most near and which obviously being the most near and which obviously being the most near and dear to marcus' heart as I mentioned last week when heart as I mentioned last week when Marcus was not out fighting in the field Marcus was not out fighting in the field Marcus was not out fighting in the field or in his tent resolving all the

or in his tent resolving all the or in his tent resolving all the administrative and legal disputes that administrative and legal disputes that administrative and legal disputes that poured onto his desk the emperor took poured onto his desk the emperor took poured onto his desk the emperor took time out to write a sort of time out to write a sort of time out to write a sort of philosophical diary as part of his daily philosophical diary as part of his daily philosophical diary as part of his daily quest to crack the underlying code of quest to crack the underlying code of quest to crack the underlying code of existence the result which we call the existence the result which we call the existence the result which we call the meditations but which technically has no meditations but which technically has no meditations but which technically has no proper name does not read as a narrative proper name does not read as a narrative proper name does not read as a narrative but rather as a series of short thoughts but rather as a series of short thoughts but rather as a series of short thoughts that express ideas independently of one that express ideas independently of one that express ideas independently of one another regarding whatever Marcus another regarding whatever Marcus another regarding whatever Marcus happened to be thinking about at the happened to be thinking about at the happened to be thinking about at the time this can make the meditations time this can make the meditations time this can make the meditations difficult to read straight through but difficult to read straight through but difficult to read straight through but it is a style that lends itself it is a style that lends itself it is a style that lends itself particularly well to quotation which is particularly well to quotation which is particularly well to quotation which is why passages from the book show up on why passages from the book show up on why passages from the book show up on magnets and calendars as often as they magnets and calendars as often as they magnets and calendars as often as they do in college do in college do in college curriculum also helping the text to curriculum also helping the text to curriculum also helping the text to remain eternally relevant is that Marcus remain eternally relevant is that Marcus remain eternally relevant is that Marcus was basically writing a series of was basically writing a series of was basically writing a series of reminders for himself as he strove to reminders for himself as he strove to reminders for himself as he strove to live live live virtuously when you remove Marcus from virtuously when you remove Marcus from virtuously when you remove Marcus from the equation and read it yourself what the equation and read it yourself what the equation and read it yourself what you get is a series of injunctions you get is a series of injunctions you get is a series of injunctions reminding you how to live reminding you how to live reminding you how to live virtuously I think to varying degrees we virtuously I think to varying degrees we virtuously I think to varying degrees we are all always trying to improve are all always trying to improve are all always trying to improve ourselves and here is this nice little ourselves and here is this nice little ourselves and here is this nice little collection of utterances telling you collection of utterances telling you collection of utterances telling you exactly how you should exactly how you should exactly how you should act it's probably a bit morbid in places act it's probably a bit morbid in places act it's probably a bit morbid in places like when he tells you that when you like when he tells you that when you like when he tells you that when you kiss your child good night you should kiss your child good night you should kiss your child good night you should remind yourself that they may be dead in remind yourself that they may be dead in remind yourself that they may be dead in the morning but his self-help manuals go the morning but his self-help manuals go the morning but his self-help manuals go you could do a lot worse than the you could do a lot worse than the you could do a lot worse than the meditations of Marcus

Aurelius when everything gets boiled Aurelius when everything gets boiled down am Marcus is essentially rephrasing down am Marcus is essentially rephrasing down am Marcus is essentially rephrasing a few basic themes over and over again a few basic themes over and over again a few basic themes over and over again in dozens of different ways like when a in dozens of different ways like when a in dozens of different ways like when a police officer asks a suspect the same police officer asks a suspect the same police officer asks a suspect the same question over and over again in question over and over again in question over and over again in different ways in order to get them to different ways in order to get them to different ways in order to get them to trip up over their trip up over their trip up over their story Marcus is basically trying to trip story Marcus is basically trying to trip story Marcus is basically trying to trip up his own head so that the really real up his own head so that the really real up his own head so that the really real truth can be truth can be truth can be revealed but what is that truth who revealed but what is that truth who revealed but what is that truth who knows but it certainly doesn't resemble knows but it certainly doesn't resemble knows but it certainly doesn't resemble in any way the universe as we perceive in any way the universe as we perceive in any way the universe as we perceive it for Marcus most of what we see in it for Marcus most of what we see in it for Marcus most of what we see in here is either an illusion like time or here is either an illusion like time or here is either an illusion like time or the apparent division of objects or it the apparent division of objects or it the apparent division of objects or it is an objective fact that we emotionally is an objective fact that we emotionally is an objective fact that we emotionally misinterpret like our negative posture misinterpret like our negative posture misinterpret like our negative posture towards death or our irrational towards death or our irrational towards death or our irrational attachment to Glory attachment to Glory attachment to Glory for the stoics this latter bit was of for the stoics this latter bit was of for the stoics this latter bit was of the utmost importance they were always the utmost importance they were always the utmost importance they were always going on about representations and in going on about representations and in going on about representations and in attempt to address how and why the human attempt to address how and why the human attempt to address how and why the human mind fails to properly grapple with all mind fails to properly grapple with all mind fails to properly grapple with all the sensory data that is thrown its the sensory data that is thrown its the sensory data that is thrown its way Marcus returns to this theme over way Marcus returns to this theme over way Marcus returns to this theme over and over again since for the stoics good and over again since for the stoics good and over again since for the stoics good means only living virtuously and evil means only living virtuously and evil means only living virtuously and evil means only the absence of virtue means only the absence of virtue means only the absence of virtue everything that doesn't fit into one of everything that doesn't fit into one of everything that doesn't fit into one of those two categories is of null those two categories is of null those two categories is of null value Marcus cautions against getting value Marcus cautions against getting value Marcus cautions against getting involved with grief over the death of a involved with grief over the death of a involved with grief over the death of a loved one or anger over the Injustice of loved one or anger over the Injustice of loved one or anger over the Injustice of some crime because these emotions stem some crime because these emotions stem some crime because these emotions stem from a fundamental misrepresentation

from a fundamental misrepresentation from a fundamental misrepresentation within our own heads we are not within our own heads we are not within our own heads we are not assigning the proper value to those assigning the proper value to those assigning the proper value to those events did you act as virtuously as you events did you act as virtuously as you events did you act as virtuously as you could have before the sad or mad event could have before the sad or mad event could have before the sad or mad event occurred if the answer is yes then your occurred if the answer is yes then your occurred if the answer is yes then your grief and anger are grief and anger are grief and anger are groundless the universe unfolds itself groundless the universe unfolds itself groundless the universe unfolds itself and we are mere and we are mere and we are mere Witnesses it was meant to be and there's Witnesses it was meant to be and there's Witnesses it was meant to be and there's nothing you could or should have done nothing you could or should have done nothing you could or should have done about it if you did not act virtuously about it if you did not act virtuously about it if you did not act virtuously then your passions should not be then your passions should not be then your passions should not be directed at the end result but on your directed at the end result but on your directed at the end result but on your own failure to perform the most noble own failure to perform the most noble own failure to perform the most noble actions possible now obviously there is a possible now obviously there is a tension here between fate and Free Will tension here between fate and Free Will tension here between fate and Free Will that neither Marcus nor his fellow that neither Marcus nor his fellow that neither Marcus nor his fellow stoics was ever able to work out stoics was ever able to work out stoics was ever able to work out Marcus returns often to a few basic Marcus returns often to a few basic Marcus returns often to a few basic tenants the universe is one unified tenants the universe is one unified tenants the universe is one unified Force time is an illusion all that will Force time is an illusion all that will Force time is an illusion all that will happen has already happened and will happen has already happened and will happen has already happened and will happen again our Destinies are set from happen again our Destinies are set from happen again our Destinies are set from birth etc birth etc birth etc etc but on the other hand he also dwells etc but on the other hand he also dwells etc but on the other hand he also dwells on the fact that we are supposed to on the fact that we are supposed to on the fact that we are supposed to choose to live virtuously and make choose to live virtuously and make choose to live virtuously and make further choices to conform Our Lives to further choices to conform Our Lives to further choices to conform Our Lives to the will of nature which implies that we the will of nature which implies that we the will of nature which implies that we could make different choices and live at could make different choices and live at could make different choices and live at odds with the will of odds with the will of odds with the will of nature but if all existence is a single nature but if all existence is a single nature but if all existence is a single simultaneously occurring event then simultaneously occurring event then simultaneously occurring event then where does free will enter the picture where does free will enter the picture where does free will enter the picture is that before or after everything that is that before or after everything that is that before or after everything that happens already happens already happens already happened turning away from philosophy to

happened turning away from philosophy to happened turning away from philosophy to a bit of poetic metaphor what I think a bit of poetic metaphor what I think a bit of poetic metaphor what I think Marcus is trying to say is that the Marcus is trying to say is that the Marcus is trying to say is that the universe is like a musical chord and we universe is like a musical chord and we universe is like a musical chord and we are each individual notes we can either are each individual notes we can either are each individual notes we can either choose to pluck ourselves in harmony choose to pluck ourselves in harmony choose to pluck ourselves in harmony with that cord or we can plug away on with that cord or we can plug away on with that cord or we can plug away on some cordant be some cordant be some cordant be flat in Marcus's conception the perfect flat in Marcus's conception the perfect flat in Marcus's conception the perfect fifth is good and the only path to true fifth is good and the only path to true fifth is good and the only path to true happiness that errant be flat though is happiness that errant be flat though is happiness that errant be flat though is evil but philosophically the logic of evil but philosophically the logic of evil but philosophically the logic of this metaphor becomes incoherent when this metaphor becomes incoherent when this metaphor becomes incoherent when you try to assert both fatalism and Free you try to assert both fatalism and Free you try to assert both fatalism and Free Will at the same Will at the same Will at the same time that being said there is a great time that being said there is a great time that being said there is a great deal to admire in Marcus's little deal to admire in Marcus's little deal to admire in Marcus's little nuggets of wisdom like how much greater nuggets of wisdom like how much greater nuggets of wisdom like how much greater are the consequences of anger than the are the consequences of anger than the are the consequences of anger than the causes of it yeah I think about that causes of it yeah I think about that causes of it yeah I think about that almost every day or never let the future almost every day or never let the future almost every day or never let the future disturb you you will meet it if you have disturb you you will meet it if you have disturb you you will meet it if you have to with the same weapons of Reason which to with the same weapons of Reason which to with the same weapons of Reason which today arm you against the present I take today arm you against the present I take today arm you against the present I take some comfort in that and how about the some comfort in that and how about the some comfort in that and how about the object in life is not to be on the side object in life is not to be on the side object in life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding of the majority but to escape finding of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane yeah oneself in the ranks of the insane yeah oneself in the ranks of the insane yeah preach on preach on preach on brother or remember that that there is a brother or remember that that there is a brother or remember that that there is a proper dignity and proportion to be proper dignity and proportion to be proper dignity and proportion to be observed in the performance of Every Act observed in the performance of Every Act observed in the performance of Every Act in life yes I promise not to just in life yes I promise not to just in life yes I promise not to just mindlessly go through the motions or mindlessly go through the motions or mindlessly go through the motions or finally do not act as if you are going finally do not act as if you are going finally do not act as if you are going to live 10,000 years death hangs over

to live 10,000 years death hangs over to live 10,000 years death hangs over you while you live while it is in your you while you live while it is in your you while you live while it is in your power be power be power be good okay I'll good okay I'll good okay I'll try the manuscript of the meditations try the manuscript of the meditations try the manuscript of the meditations originally written in Greek for the originally written in Greek for the originally written in Greek for the emperor's eyes alone somehow managed to emperor's eyes alone somehow managed to emperor's eyes alone somehow managed to get copied and was then published at get copied and was then published at get copied and was then published at some point in the years after Marcus's some point in the years after Marcus's some point in the years after Marcus's death however I have not been able to death however I have not been able to death however I have not been able to track down exactly how this happened so track down exactly how this happened so track down exactly how this happened so if anyone out there has any information if anyone out there has any information if anyone out there has any information on this by all means let me on this by all means let me on this by all means let me know from there if I had to speculate know from there if I had to speculate know from there if I had to speculate I'd say that it probably wound up in the I'd say that it probably wound up in the I'd say that it probably wound up in the Imperial archives or one of the many Imperial archives or one of the many Imperial archives or one of the many private Collections and from there private Collections and from there private Collections and from there transferred to the libraries of the transferred to the libraries of the transferred to the libraries of the Catholic Church where the wisdom of Catholic Church where the wisdom of Catholic Church where the wisdom of Marcus was read but more or less laid Marcus was read but more or less laid Marcus was read but more or less laid dormant for a thousand years before dormant for a thousand years before dormant for a thousand years before being picked up by Renaissance Scholars being picked up by Renaissance Scholars being picked up by Renaissance Scholars who were looking to find truth in places who were looking to find truth in places who were looking to find truth in places other than the Bible since then this other than the Bible since then this other than the Bible since then this little book of sayings has been lotted little book of sayings has been lotted little book of sayings has been lotted by Scholars not only for its insights by Scholars not only for its insights by Scholars not only for its insights into the human condition but also into the human condition but also into the human condition but also because it is one of the first examples because it is one of the first examples because it is one of the first examples of honest personal philosophic of honest personal philosophic of honest personal philosophic reflection John Stewart Mill for example reflection John Stewart Mill for example reflection John Stewart Mill for example went so far to compare it to The Sermon went so far to compare it to The Sermon went so far to compare it to The Sermon on the on the on the Mount ironically the continued Mount ironically the continued Mount ironically the continued publication and citation of the publication and citation of the publication and citation of the meditations keeps Marcus aelius as one meditations keeps Marcus aelius as one meditations keeps Marcus aelius as one of the most identifiable of all Roman of the most identifiable of all Roman of the most identifiable of all Roman figures this for a man who looked so figures this for a man who looked so figures this for a man who looked so disdainfully on the vain glorious quest disdainfully on the vain glorious quest disdainfully on the vain glorious quest for postumus fame and who constantly for postumus fame and who constantly for postumus fame and who constantly reminded himself how many who once Rose

reminded himself how many who once Rose reminded himself how many who once Rose to fame are now consigned to Oblivion to fame are now consigned to Oblivion to fame are now consigned to Oblivion and how many who sang their Fame are and how many who sang their Fame are and how many who sang their Fame are long disappeared next week we'll close the disappeared next week we'll close the book on the living Marcus arelius and book on the living Marcus arelius and book on the living Marcus arelius and try to note without too much sarcasm try to note without too much sarcasm try to note without too much sarcasm that the reason why we know so much that the reason why we know so much that the reason why we know so much about his life and times is that in a about his life and times is that in a about his life and times is that in a vain glorious quest for postumus fame he vain glorious quest for postumus fame he vain glorious quest for postumus fame he ordered a magnificent triumphal column ordered a magnificent triumphal column ordered a magnificent triumphal column built to record his exploits for all built to record his exploits for all built to record his exploits for all time time time [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 95 the beginning of the Rome episode 95 the beginning of the Rome episode 95 the beginning of the end don't worry about the title of this end don't worry about the title of this end don't worry about the title of this episode the transition from Marcus episode the transition from Marcus episode the transition from Marcus aelius to his son kedus is usually aelius to his son kedus is usually aelius to his son kedus is usually pointed to as the point at which the pointed to as the point at which the pointed to as the point at which the luck of the Roman Empire began to run luck of the Roman Empire began to run luck of the Roman Empire began to run out but it has also been joked on more out but it has also been joked on more out but it has also been joked on more than one occasion that as decline phases than one occasion that as decline phases than one occasion that as decline phases go we should all be so lucky to enjoy go we should all be so lucky to enjoy go we should all be so lucky to enjoy one as long as the Romans did we are one as long as the Romans did we are one as long as the Romans did we are still 300 years from the last Roman still 300 years from the last Roman still 300 years from the last Roman emperor and more than a thousand years

emperor and more than a thousand years emperor and more than a thousand years from the fall of from the fall of from the fall of Constantinople to put it another way the Constantinople to put it another way the Constantinople to put it another way the United States has officially been a big United States has officially been a big United States has officially been a big ass state for about 230 years which ass state for about 230 years which ass state for about 230 years which would fit neatly into the pocket of would fit neatly into the pocket of would fit neatly into the pocket of Rome's quote decline phase so for those Rome's quote decline phase so for those Rome's quote decline phase so for those of you who might fear that we are of you who might fear that we are of you who might fear that we are nearing the end of our little podcast nearing the end of our little podcast nearing the end of our little podcast don't worry focus on the fact that this don't worry focus on the fact that this don't worry focus on the fact that this is merely the beginning of the end there is merely the beginning of the end there is merely the beginning of the end there is still a lot to cover the only is still a lot to cover the only is still a lot to cover the only difference is that rather than talking difference is that rather than talking difference is that rather than talking about what battles the Romans won and about what battles the Romans won and about what battles the Romans won and what territory they added to the Empire what territory they added to the Empire what territory they added to the Empire we'll be talking about what battles they we'll be talking about what battles they we'll be talking about what battles they lost and what territory they lost and what territory they lost and what territory they abandoned something whose end is rapidly abandoned something whose end is rapidly abandoned something whose end is rapidly approaching though is augustus's approaching though is augustus's approaching though is augustus's principate principate principate just as the Republic cracked and by just as the Republic cracked and by just as the Republic cracked and by necessity gave way to a new imperial necessity gave way to a new imperial necessity gave way to a new imperial system so too is the principate now on system so too is the principate now on system so too is the principate now on the verge of cracking and by necessity the verge of cracking and by necessity the verge of cracking and by necessity giving way to a new system which giving way to a new system which giving way to a new system which Scholars have usually dubbed the Scholars have usually dubbed the Scholars have usually dubbed the Dominate after the fall of Commodus the Dominate after the fall of Commodus the Dominate after the fall of Commodus the often troubled Severn Dynasty Will begin often troubled Severn Dynasty Will begin often troubled Severn Dynasty Will begin the transition away from the convenient the transition away from the convenient the transition away from the convenient fictions that the emperor is merely the fictions that the emperor is merely the fictions that the emperor is merely the First Citizen and the Senate still First Citizen and the Senate still First Citizen and the Senate still maintains its ancient power to a more maintains its ancient power to a more maintains its ancient power to a more authoritarian and more militant authoritarian and more militant authoritarian and more militant political political political order when the severens were toppled the order when the severens were toppled the order when the severens were toppled the crisis period of the mid-3rd century crisis period of the mid-3rd century crisis period of the mid-3rd century roughly analogous to the Civil Wars of roughly analogous to the Civil Wars of roughly analogous to the Civil Wars of the 1 Century BC finally obliterated the the 1 Century BC finally obliterated the the 1 Century BC finally obliterated the Rome of Augustus and despian and Hadrian Rome of Augustus and despian and Hadrian Rome of Augustus and despian and Hadrian just as Caesar's Civil Wars had just as Caesar's Civil Wars had just as Caesar's Civil Wars had obliterated the Rome of Camis and KO and

obliterated the Rome of Camis and KO and obliterated the Rome of Camis and KO and Cicero Rome would surprisingly live Cicero Rome would surprisingly live Cicero Rome would surprisingly live through the crisis but what would come through the crisis but what would come through the crisis but what would come out the other side would be a very out the other side would be a very out the other side would be a very different animal than what went in the different animal than what went in the different animal than what went in the EMP Empire would no longer be a quasi EMP Empire would no longer be a quasi EMP Empire would no longer be a quasi Republican magisterial dictatorship Republican magisterial dictatorship Republican magisterial dictatorship instead it would be transformed by a instead it would be transformed by a instead it would be transformed by a relian and Diocesan into a quasi Divine relian and Diocesan into a quasi Divine relian and Diocesan into a quasi Divine monarchy almost in the mode of ancient monarchy almost in the mode of ancient monarchy almost in the mode of ancient Persia Commodus then earns the Persia Commodus then earns the Persia Commodus then earns the distinction of being the last true distinction of being the last true distinction of being the last true princeps and since he turned out to be princeps and since he turned out to be princeps and since he turned out to be such a disaster Marcus Aurelius earns such a disaster Marcus Aurelius earns such a disaster Marcus Aurelius earns the distinction of being the last good the distinction of being the last good the distinction of being the last good princesss not that Marcus didn't try to princesss not that Marcus didn't try to princesss not that Marcus didn't try to ensure that Commodus would up to the ensure that Commodus would up to the ensure that Commodus would up to the task he gave the boy a great education task he gave the boy a great education task he gave the boy a great education introduced him to military Affairs and introduced him to military Affairs and introduced him to military Affairs and took him along on his one extended tour took him along on his one extended tour took him along on his one extended tour of the Empire but in the end it seems of the Empire but in the end it seems of the Empire but in the end it seems that Commodus just wasn't having it he that Commodus just wasn't having it he that Commodus just wasn't having it he was growing into a man far more in the was growing into a man far more in the was growing into a man far more in the mold of his Uncle Lucius verus than in mold of his Uncle Lucius verus than in mold of his Uncle Lucius verus than in the mold of his father so much so that the mold of his father so much so that the mold of his father so much so that it was an accepted fact in Rome that it was an accepted fact in Rome that it was an accepted fact in Rome that Commodus was not actually Marcus's son Commodus was not actually Marcus's son Commodus was not actually Marcus's son at all and that he was in fact the at all and that he was in fact the at all and that he was in fact the product of an affair between fosa and a product of an affair between fosa and a product of an affair between fosa and a gladiator gladiator gladiator commus loved games and gambling and commus loved games and gambling and commus loved games and gambling and spectacle and partying all the things spectacle and partying all the things spectacle and partying all the things his father utterly his father utterly his father utterly disdained setting aside any disdained setting aside any disdained setting aside any psychoanalytical reasons for Commodus psychoanalytical reasons for Commodus psychoanalytical reasons for Commodus turning out to be the exact opposite of turning out to be the exact opposite of turning out to be the exact opposite of his father the boy did face a his father the boy did face a his father the boy did face a considerable uphill battle on the road considerable uphill battle on the road considerable uphill battle on the road to becoming a conscientious serious and

to becoming a conscientious serious and to becoming a conscientious serious and virtuous man he was after all the first virtuous man he was after all the first virtuous man he was after all the first emperor who was born to the purple as emperor who was born to the purple as emperor who was born to the purple as they they they say surprising as it is thus far not a say surprising as it is thus far not a say surprising as it is thus far not a single Roman Emperor was himself born to single Roman Emperor was himself born to single Roman Emperor was himself born to an emperor not Augustus or tiberias or an emperor not Augustus or tiberias or an emperor not Augustus or tiberias or Caligula or Claudius or Nero or galba or Caligula or Claudius or Nero or galba or Caligula or Claudius or Nero or galba or oo or vitellus or Vespasian or Titus or oo or vitellus or Vespasian or Titus or oo or vitellus or Vespasian or Titus or demission or nerva or Tran or hadrien or demission or nerva or Tran or hadrien or demission or nerva or Tran or hadrien or Marcus Marcus Marcus aelius only Titus and demission were aelius only Titus and demission were aelius only Titus and demission were even the blood sons of an emperor and even the blood sons of an emperor and even the blood sons of an emperor and they spent their formative years as the they spent their formative years as the they spent their formative years as the Obscure sons of a minor politician in Obscure sons of a minor politician in Obscure sons of a minor politician in general general general but Commodus was born shortly after but Commodus was born shortly after but Commodus was born shortly after Marcus became emperor and was thus Marcus became emperor and was thus Marcus became emperor and was thus raised in the palace's true Roman raised in the palace's true Roman raised in the palace's true Roman royalty surrounded by all the pleasures royalty surrounded by all the pleasures royalty surrounded by all the pleasures indulgent scants could drum indulgent scants could drum indulgent scants could drum up much as the auster Marcus did his up much as the auster Marcus did his up much as the auster Marcus did his best to mold kedus in his own image he best to mold kedus in his own image he best to mold kedus in his own image he stood little chance against the spoiling stood little chance against the spoiling stood little chance against the spoiling atmosphere that crowned princes are atmosphere that crowned princes are atmosphere that crowned princes are often submerged often submerged often submerged in Marcus could see what was happening in Marcus could see what was happening in Marcus could see what was happening and openly worried that he was raising and openly worried that he was raising and openly worried that he was raising another Nero but for all his stoic another Nero but for all his stoic another Nero but for all his stoic wisdom he fell victim to the realities wisdom he fell victim to the realities wisdom he fell victim to the realities of fraternal love and when he wasn't of fraternal love and when he wasn't of fraternal love and when he wasn't maintaining a strict regimen of denial maintaining a strict regimen of denial maintaining a strict regimen of denial he was rationalizing away his son's he was rationalizing away his son's he was rationalizing away his son's Behavior after all hadn't Philip II been Behavior after all hadn't Philip II been Behavior after all hadn't Philip II been mortified at how Alexander the Great was mortified at how Alexander the Great was mortified at how Alexander the Great was turning out and he turned out to be turning out and he turned out to be turning out and he turned out to be Alexander the Great so there's no reason Alexander the Great so there's no reason Alexander the Great so there's no reason to believe communist won't turn it to believe communist won't turn it to believe communist won't turn it around once he matures a

around once he matures a around once he matures a bit people have often wondered though bit people have often wondered though bit people have often wondered though why Marcus of all people would break why Marcus of all people would break why Marcus of all people would break with the Imperial tradition of adopting with the Imperial tradition of adopting with the Imperial tradition of adopting a Worthy a Worthy a Worthy and instead choose to hand it all over and instead choose to hand it all over and instead choose to hand it all over to a son who was pretty clearly a bad to a son who was pretty clearly a bad to a son who was pretty clearly a bad egg and who was pretty clearly not going egg and who was pretty clearly not going egg and who was pretty clearly not going to mature into Alexander the Great One to mature into Alexander the Great One to mature into Alexander the Great One Day the answerer involves some Day the answerer involves some Day the answerer involves some speculation on our part but in the first speculation on our part but in the first speculation on our part but in the first case we should never forget that the case we should never forget that the case we should never forget that the reason why every previous Roman Emperor reason why every previous Roman Emperor reason why every previous Roman Emperor had adopted an heir was because there had adopted an heir was because there had adopted an heir was because there were simply very few blood Sons to be were simply very few blood Sons to be were simply very few blood Sons to be had there were in fact only two Emperors had there were in fact only two Emperors had there were in fact only two Emperors who died with living Sons Vespasian who who died with living Sons Vespasian who who died with living Sons Vespasian who left the throne to Titus and Claudius left the throne to Titus and Claudius left the throne to Titus and Claudius who had wanted to leave the throne to who had wanted to leave the throne to who had wanted to leave the throne to britannicus but was manipulated into britannicus but was manipulated into britannicus but was manipulated into adopting Nero adopting Nero adopting Nero instead for every other Emperor air instead for every other Emperor air instead for every other Emperor air adoption was not an explicit policy or adoption was not an explicit policy or adoption was not an explicit policy or even a preferred mode of succession it even a preferred mode of succession it even a preferred mode of succession it was the result of inescapable was the result of inescapable was the result of inescapable circumstance Augustus tried like mad to circumstance Augustus tried like mad to circumstance Augustus tried like mad to get anyone with a blood connection to get anyone with a blood connection to get anyone with a blood connection to him in power but was forced by Fate to him in power but was forced by Fate to him in power but was forced by Fate to roll with tiberias roll with tiberias roll with tiberias instead beyond the simple fact that just instead beyond the simple fact that just instead beyond the simple fact that just about every every Emperor probably would about every every Emperor probably would about every every Emperor probably would have left the throne to his son had they have left the throne to his son had they have left the throne to his son had they had the chance the further fact is that had the chance the further fact is that had the chance the further fact is that not letting commus succeed him brought not letting commus succeed him brought not letting commus succeed him brought with it its own with it its own with it its own problems in his recent biography of problems in his recent biography of problems in his recent biography of Marcus aelius Frank mlin talks about Marcus aelius Frank mlin talks about Marcus aelius Frank mlin talks about Marcus's quandry at length after Marcus's quandry at length after Marcus's quandry at length after relaying Septimus sas's quote that relaying Septimus sas's quote that relaying Septimus sas's quote that Marcus's great mistake was not killing Marcus's great mistake was not killing Marcus's great mistake was not killing the rotten commus when he had the

the rotten commus when he had the the rotten commus when he had the chance in mclin's formulation Marcus was chance in mclin's formulation Marcus was chance in mclin's formulation Marcus was faced with a stark choice faced with a stark choice faced with a stark choice either he had to kill Commodus or either he had to kill Commodus or either he had to kill Commodus or promote him there was no middle promote him there was no middle promote him there was no middle ground when for what I hope are easy to ground when for what I hope are easy to ground when for what I hope are easy to understand reasons Marcus did not understand reasons Marcus did not understand reasons Marcus did not assassinate his own son he had no choice assassinate his own son he had no choice assassinate his own son he had no choice then but to make him Emperor the then but to make him Emperor the then but to make him Emperor the alternative would have been to leave the alternative would have been to leave the alternative would have been to leave the Empire with all the ingredients for a Empire with all the ingredients for a Empire with all the ingredients for a civil civil civil war there would naturally be either out war there would naturally be either out war there would naturally be either out of jealousy spite or stifled ambition of jealousy spite or stifled ambition of jealousy spite or stifled ambition those opposed to whoever Marcus decided those opposed to whoever Marcus decided those opposed to whoever Marcus decided to adopt in comedy his to adopt in comedy his to adopt in comedy his place those disgruntled elements would place those disgruntled elements would place those disgruntled elements would likely as we have seen in other times likely as we have seen in other times likely as we have seen in other times and places rally around the Overlook and places rally around the Overlook and places rally around the Overlook Crown Prince whispering in his ear that Crown Prince whispering in his ear that Crown Prince whispering in his ear that it was outrageous and unjust that his it was outrageous and unjust that his it was outrageous and unjust that his Birthright had been stolen by some Birthright had been stolen by some Birthright had been stolen by some usurper and then voila Civil usurper and then voila Civil usurper and then voila Civil War had Marcus left commus both alive War had Marcus left commus both alive War had Marcus left commus both alive and out of power we might be talking and out of power we might be talking and out of power we might be talking about that decision as one of the great about that decision as one of the great about that decision as one of the great blunders in history and the alternative blunders in history and the alternative blunders in history and the alternative left to Marcus the not blunder Choice as left to Marcus the not blunder Choice as left to Marcus the not blunder Choice as it were meant killing his own son are we it were meant killing his own son are we it were meant killing his own son are we really supposed to fault him for not really supposed to fault him for not really supposed to fault him for not going down that going down that going down that road Marcus and Commodus arrived back in road Marcus and Commodus arrived back in road Marcus and Commodus arrived back in Rome in late 176 and the emperor quickly Rome in late 176 and the emperor quickly Rome in late 176 and the emperor quickly set about promoting his son set about promoting his son set about promoting his son politically the emperor had already politically the emperor had already politically the emperor had already granted his son the title germanicus in granted his son the title germanicus in granted his son the title germanicus in recognition of oh I guess the fact that recognition of oh I guess the fact that recognition of oh I guess the fact that he had been physically present at the he had been physically present at the he had been physically present at the front and now upon their return to the

front and now upon their return to the front and now upon their return to the capital Marcus shared his Triumph parade capital Marcus shared his Triumph parade capital Marcus shared his Triumph parade with the young man and they stood side with the young man and they stood side with the young man and they stood side by side in a gleaming Chariot as the by side in a gleaming Chariot as the by side in a gleaming Chariot as the procession made its way through the procession made its way through the procession made its way through the city probably coinciding with the city probably coinciding with the city probably coinciding with the Triumph though the chronology is a bit Triumph though the chronology is a bit Triumph though the chronology is a bit hazy Marcus commissioned his own hazy Marcus commissioned his own hazy Marcus commissioned his own triumphal column an intricate spiral triumphal column an intricate spiral triumphal column an intricate spiral relief Monument to rival that of trun relief Monument to rival that of trun relief Monument to rival that of trun telling the story of Marcus's victories telling the story of Marcus's victories telling the story of Marcus's victories along the along the along the danu the column still stands today and danu the column still stands today and danu the column still stands today and as I hinted it is one of the key pieces as I hinted it is one of the key pieces as I hinted it is one of the key pieces of evidence we have for putting together of evidence we have for putting together of evidence we have for putting together a narrative of the marom manic a narrative of the marom manic a narrative of the marom manic Wars the depiction of the rain Miracle Wars the depiction of the rain Miracle Wars the depiction of the rain Miracle is perhaps the most famous panel but the is perhaps the most famous panel but the is perhaps the most famous panel but the section usefully depicting a Proto section usefully depicting a Proto section usefully depicting a Proto Democratic German Council of war is also Democratic German Council of war is also Democratic German Council of war is also often pointed to by anthropologists of often pointed to by anthropologists of often pointed to by anthropologists of early German early German early German history as the column winds its way up history as the column winds its way up history as the column winds its way up and the momentum of War shifts away from and the momentum of War shifts away from and the momentum of War shifts away from the Germans we are treated to multiple the Germans we are treated to multiple the Germans we are treated to multiple depictions of a larger than life Marcus depictions of a larger than life Marcus depictions of a larger than life Marcus overseeing prisoners beheadings and overseeing prisoners beheadings and overseeing prisoners beheadings and wailing wailing wailing families today these panels act as a families today these panels act as a families today these panels act as a sort of Roar Shack test for the viewer sort of Roar Shack test for the viewer sort of Roar Shack test for the viewer with some claiming to see Marcus playing with some claiming to see Marcus playing with some claiming to see Marcus playing the part of merciful conqueror offering the part of merciful conqueror offering the part of merciful conqueror offering clemency to the captured While others clemency to the captured While others clemency to the captured While others see stoic Marcus playing the part of see stoic Marcus playing the part of see stoic Marcus playing the part of harsh realist and ordering the harsh realist and ordering the harsh realist and ordering the executions to executions to executions to proceed the history of Rome has posted a proceed the history of Rome has posted a proceed the history of Rome has posted a few of the more famous scenes from the few of the more famous scenes from the few of the more famous scenes from the column on the blog at the historyof column on the blog at the historyof column on the blog at the historyof rome. tapad.com and invites you to offer rome. tapad.com and invites you to offer rome. tapad.com and invites you to offer your own your own your own interpretation 177 open with Commodus

interpretation 177 open with Commodus interpretation 177 open with Commodus elevated to an ordinary consulship a elevated to an ordinary consulship a elevated to an ordinary consulship a consulship of particular note not for consulship of particular note not for consulship of particular note not for anything communist did while in office anything communist did while in office anything communist did while in office but because at 15 he was the youngest but because at 15 he was the youngest but because at 15 he was the youngest Consul in the history of the Consul in the history of the Consul in the history of the Empire just as hadrien had set a Empire just as hadrien had set a Empire just as hadrien had set a precedent whereby the rules would not precedent whereby the rules would not precedent whereby the rules would not apply to Marcus Marcus himself followed apply to Marcus Marcus himself followed apply to Marcus Marcus himself followed the same line with the same line with the same line with Commodus for those of you wondering who Commodus for those of you wondering who Commodus for those of you wondering who received the honor of serving as the received the honor of serving as the received the honor of serving as the future Emperor's colleague it was a future Emperor's colleague it was a future Emperor's colleague it was a nephew of Lucius virus named plaus nephew of Lucius virus named plaus nephew of Lucius virus named plaus quintillus who was now married to one of quintillus who was now married to one of quintillus who was now married to one of marcus' marcus' marcus' daughters quintillus would eventually daughters quintillus would eventually daughters quintillus would eventually serve as an adviser to the Emperor serve as an adviser to the Emperor serve as an adviser to the Emperor Commodus and after being ignored in the Commodus and after being ignored in the Commodus and after being ignored in the succession battles that followed his succession battles that followed his succession battles that followed his brother-in-law's death he would wind up brother-in-law's death he would wind up brother-in-law's death he would wind up committing suicide in 205 to escape committing suicide in 205 to escape committing suicide in 205 to escape execution at the hands of Septimus searis the peaceful lull that the Empire searis the peaceful lull that the Empire had enjoyed following first the session had enjoyed following first the session had enjoyed following first the session of hostilities along the danu and then of hostilities along the danu and then of hostilities along the danu and then the abrupt end to cases' revolt in the the abrupt end to cases' revolt in the the abrupt end to cases' revolt in the East proved to be just that Al Al L East proved to be just that Al Al L East proved to be just that Al Al L later that later that later that year when spring arrived the quadi took year when spring arrived the quadi took year when spring arrived the quadi took advantage of The Emperor's withdrawal advantage of The Emperor's withdrawal advantage of The Emperor's withdrawal from the north and began attacking Roman from the north and began attacking Roman from the north and began attacking Roman positions across the positions across the positions across the frontier they were soon joined by the frontier they were soon joined by the frontier they were soon joined by the Marco mani and once again the northern Marco mani and once again the northern Marco mani and once again the northern border was a wash in bloody border was a wash in bloody border was a wash in bloody skirmishes Marcus hoped his presence skirmishes Marcus hoped his presence skirmishes Marcus hoped his presence would not be required and that the would not be required and that the would not be required and that the generals he left behind would be able to generals he left behind would be able to generals he left behind would be able to bottle up the menus as he remained in bottle up the menus as he remained in bottle up the menus as he remained in Rome to focus on administrative work and Rome to focus on administrative work and Rome to focus on administrative work and the all important task of establishing the all important task of establishing the all important task of establishing his son

his son his son Legacy in the summer of 177 Commodus was Legacy in the summer of 177 Commodus was Legacy in the summer of 177 Commodus was given the title Augustus and with the given the title Augustus and with the given the title Augustus and with the honorific the now probably 16-year-old honorific the now probably 16-year-old honorific the now probably 16-year-old boy found himself elevated to the same boy found himself elevated to the same boy found himself elevated to the same level of power Lucius Varys had enjoyed level of power Lucius Varys had enjoyed level of power Lucius Varys had enjoyed technically Father and Son were now technically Father and Son were now technically Father and Son were now co-emperors coins from this period go co-emperors coins from this period go co-emperors coins from this period go out of their way to establish the notion out of their way to establish the notion out of their way to establish the notion of their joint and unified rule but as of their joint and unified rule but as of their joint and unified rule but as with Lucius Marcus was still in every with Lucius Marcus was still in every with Lucius Marcus was still in every way the senior augusti despite Marx's hopes the situation in despite Marx's hopes the situation in Germania was refusing to solve Germania was refusing to solve Germania was refusing to solve itself the Germans had learned from the itself the Germans had learned from the itself the Germans had learned from the last round of fighting and this time last round of fighting and this time last round of fighting and this time refused to offer formal battle to the refused to offer formal battle to the refused to offer formal battle to the legions choosing instead to use Guerilla legions choosing instead to use Guerilla legions choosing instead to use Guerilla tactics to harass the tactics to harass the tactics to harass the Romans as is typical of most Romans as is typical of most Romans as is typical of most asymmetrical Wars whenever the Romans asymmetrical Wars whenever the Romans asymmetrical Wars whenever the Romans were able to force a Battle they usually were able to force a Battle they usually were able to force a Battle they usually won but these brief moments of Triumph won but these brief moments of Triumph won but these brief moments of Triumph could do little to stop the never ending could do little to stop the never ending could do little to stop the never ending series of demoralizing raids and series of demoralizing raids and series of demoralizing raids and ambushes and traps that kept the legions ambushes and traps that kept the legions ambushes and traps that kept the legions harried and harried and harried and skittish the situation was quickly skittish the situation was quickly skittish the situation was quickly spiraling out of control and after spiraling out of control and after spiraling out of control and after resisting calls for his presence Marcus resisting calls for his presence Marcus resisting calls for his presence Marcus finally relented and in 178 began making finally relented and in 178 began making finally relented and in 178 began making preparations to return to the preparations to return to the preparations to return to the front his final bit of business before front his final bit of business before front his final bit of business before leaving was to hastily marry Commodus to leaving was to hastily marry Commodus to leaving was to hastily marry Commodus to bruda crispina daughter of a family bruda crispina daughter of a family bruda crispina daughter of a family distinguished mostly for their close distinguished mostly for their close distinguished mostly for their close connection to the connection to the connection to the household at the age of 56 the always on

household at the age of 56 the always on household at the age of 56 the always on the frail side Marcus had no way of the frail side Marcus had no way of the frail side Marcus had no way of knowing how much more campaigning his knowing how much more campaigning his knowing how much more campaigning his body would be able to handle but when he body would be able to handle but when he body would be able to handle but when he and Commodus left Rome in the summer of and Commodus left Rome in the summer of and Commodus left Rome in the summer of 178 Marcus was content in the knowledge 178 Marcus was content in the knowledge 178 Marcus was content in the knowledge that his son was now recognized by that his son was now recognized by that his son was now recognized by everyone as Augustus and that he was everyone as Augustus and that he was everyone as Augustus and that he was properly married and ready to carry on properly married and ready to carry on properly married and ready to carry on the Imperial the Imperial the Imperial line the emperor's foresight would be line the emperor's foresight would be line the emperor's foresight would be rewarded if you can call Commodus rewarded if you can call Commodus rewarded if you can call Commodus unchallenged Ascension a reward because unchallenged Ascension a reward because unchallenged Ascension a reward because when he left Rome this time it would be when he left Rome this time it would be when he left Rome this time it would be for the last for the last for the last time in less than 2 years Marcus would time in less than 2 years Marcus would time in less than 2 years Marcus would be dead and just as he had arranged be dead and just as he had arranged be dead and just as he had arranged Commodus would face no opposition as he Commodus would face no opposition as he Commodus would face no opposition as he assumed the mantle of Soul Emperor arriving at the front Marcus Emperor arriving at the front Marcus renewed his surprisingly useful alliance renewed his surprisingly useful alliance renewed his surprisingly useful alliance with the aigis going so far as to allow with the aigis going so far as to allow with the aigis going so far as to allow them Passage through daia so they could them Passage through daia so they could them Passage through daia so they could travel to and from their traditional travel to and from their traditional travel to and from their traditional homelands and then set himself to the homelands and then set himself to the homelands and then set himself to the task of purging the Marco mani and the task of purging the Marco mani and the task of purging the Marco mani and the quadi of their hostile Tendencies once quadi of their hostile Tendencies once quadi of their hostile Tendencies once and for and for and for all as the emperor began to think about all as the emperor began to think about all as the emperor began to think about how best to accomplish his goal he how best to accomplish his goal he how best to accomplish his goal he started dreaming bigger dreams than the started dreaming bigger dreams than the started dreaming bigger dreams than the simple strategy of maintaining Hadrian's simple strategy of maintaining Hadrian's simple strategy of maintaining Hadrian's borders had previously allowed borders had previously allowed borders had previously allowed him liberating himself from Hadrian's him liberating himself from Hadrian's him liberating himself from Hadrian's cowardice or Prudence or whatever you cowardice or Prudence or whatever you cowardice or Prudence or whatever you want to call it Marcus began to sketch want to call it Marcus began to sketch want to call it Marcus began to sketch out a plan to Annex one or possibly even out a plan to Annex one or possibly even out a plan to Annex one or possibly even two new provinces into the empire in two new provinces into the empire in two new provinces into the empire in erally dubbed marania and erally dubbed marania and erally dubbed marania and sarmatia together they would have

sarmatia together they would have sarmatia together they would have encompassed most of the Czech Republic encompassed most of the Czech Republic encompassed most of the Czech Republic in Slovakia and pushed the northern in Slovakia and pushed the northern in Slovakia and pushed the northern border of the empire into modern border of the empire into modern border of the empire into modern Bavaria Scholars have long pointed out Bavaria Scholars have long pointed out Bavaria Scholars have long pointed out that the scheme was ludicrous and as a that the scheme was ludicrous and as a that the scheme was ludicrous and as a result doubt the credulity of sources result doubt the credulity of sources result doubt the credulity of sources claiming that wias Marcus could have claiming that wias Marcus could have claiming that wias Marcus could have considered such an indefensible considered such an indefensible considered such an indefensible literally indefensible plan but the literally indefensible plan but the literally indefensible plan but the patience of the emperor had apparently patience of the emperor had apparently patience of the emperor had apparently run out and he seems to have just wanted run out and he seems to have just wanted run out and he seems to have just wanted to SW follow the entire territory into to SW follow the entire territory into to SW follow the entire territory into the Empire so it could be rationally the Empire so it could be rationally the Empire so it could be rationally policed and taxed rather than being policed and taxed rather than being policed and taxed rather than being allowed to continue on as a breeding allowed to continue on as a breeding allowed to continue on as a breeding ground for strife and ground for strife and ground for strife and Chaos with the eigi safely in his Corner Chaos with the eigi safely in his Corner Chaos with the eigi safely in his Corner Marcus ordered 40,000 soldiers across Marcus ordered 40,000 soldiers across Marcus ordered 40,000 soldiers across the danu and the process of Conquest was the danu and the process of Conquest was the danu and the process of Conquest was initiated the Marco mani and quadi initiated the Marco mani and quadi initiated the Marco mani and quadi refused to offer themselves in battle refused to offer themselves in battle refused to offer themselves in battle and continued the gorilla campaign so and continued the gorilla campaign so and continued the gorilla campaign so the Romans methodically worked to sweep the Romans methodically worked to sweep the Romans methodically worked to sweep and hold every last piece of land until and hold every last piece of land until and hold every last piece of land until the German armies had nowhere else to the German armies had nowhere else to the German armies had nowhere else to hide this being No Ordinary foreign hide this being No Ordinary foreign hide this being No Ordinary foreign Excursion the legions began to build Excursion the legions began to build Excursion the legions began to build stone forts rather than keeping to their stone forts rather than keeping to their stone forts rather than keeping to their mobile mobile mobile camps in the late summer the Romans were camps in the late summer the Romans were camps in the late summer the Romans were able to trap and defeat a midsize tribe able to trap and defeat a midsize tribe able to trap and defeat a midsize tribe allied with the Marco Mani the captured allied with the Marco Mani the captured allied with the Marco Mani the captured Germans were marched into lower panonia Germans were marched into lower panonia Germans were marched into lower panonia where they were disarmed and where they were disarmed and where they were disarmed and settled if this doesn't seem like the settled if this doesn't seem like the settled if this doesn't seem like the worst punishment in the world you're worst punishment in the world you're worst punishment in the world you're right right right other than the shame of being defeated other than the shame of being defeated other than the shame of being defeated and dislodged from their traditional and dislodged from their traditional and dislodged from their traditional Homeland being moved into the Empire

Homeland being moved into the Empire Homeland being moved into the Empire with its promise of eventual citizenship with its promise of eventual citizenship with its promise of eventual citizenship was a pretty good was a pretty good was a pretty good deal the settlement reminds us of the deal the settlement reminds us of the deal the settlement reminds us of the toll the antonine plague had taken on toll the antonine plague had taken on toll the antonine plague had taken on the the the Empire The Border provinces had become Empire The Border provinces had become Empire The Border provinces had become depopulated to the point that as often depopulated to the point that as often depopulated to the point that as often as the emperor was looking to destroy as the emperor was looking to destroy as the emperor was looking to destroy the tribes he was also trying to figure the tribes he was also trying to figure the tribes he was also trying to figure out ways to resettle them peacefully on out ways to resettle them peacefully on out ways to resettle them peacefully on Roman land so that they would become Roman land so that they would become Roman land so that they would become industrious new taxpayers industrious new taxpayers industrious new taxpayers indeed as we'll see in a minute with the indeed as we'll see in a minute with the indeed as we'll see in a minute with the quadi Marcus's genocidal bent seems to quadi Marcus's genocidal bent seems to quadi Marcus's genocidal bent seems to have given way to a policy of have given way to a policy of have given way to a policy of integration he no longer wanted to integration he no longer wanted to integration he no longer wanted to exterminate the Germans he wanted to exterminate the Germans he wanted to exterminate the Germans he wanted to make them Romans by the winter of 178 179 the quad Romans by the winter of 178 179 the quad began to worry that the territorial began to worry that the territorial began to worry that the territorial squeeze Marcus had ordered was having an squeeze Marcus had ordered was having an squeeze Marcus had ordered was having an effect not only were there fewer places effect not only were there fewer places effect not only were there fewer places to hide but there was almost no land to to hide but there was almost no land to to hide but there was almost no land to be fought over anymore be fought over anymore be fought over anymore in response to the inevitable Roman in response to the inevitable Roman in response to the inevitable Roman Conquest the quadi decided to just Conquest the quadi decided to just Conquest the quadi decided to just abandon the fight and migrate North abandon the fight and migrate North abandon the fight and migrate North where they could make a new life free of where they could make a new life free of where they could make a new life free of Roman troubles but though this seems Roman troubles but though this seems Roman troubles but though this seems like the sort of thing Marcus would have like the sort of thing Marcus would have like the sort of thing Marcus would have welcomed after all the quadi were welcomed after all the quadi were welcomed after all the quadi were essentially seeding him this vast swath essentially seeding him this vast swath essentially seeding him this vast swath of new territory so awesome right the of new territory so awesome right the of new territory so awesome right the emperor instead ordered an army led by emperor instead ordered an army led by emperor instead ordered an army led by maximis to head the quadi off and maximis to head the quadi off and maximis to head the quadi off and prevent their prevent their prevent their escape had the Empire been bursting at escape had the Empire been bursting at escape had the Empire been bursting at the population seems with thousands upon the population seems with thousands upon the population seems with thousands upon thousands of potential settlers ready thousands of potential settlers ready thousands of potential settlers ready and willing to colonize some new and willing to colonize some new and willing to colonize some new territory Marcus probably would have

territory Marcus probably would have territory Marcus probably would have just let the quad go but Rome was just let the quad go but Rome was just let the quad go but Rome was enduring the opposite plight in the enduring the opposite plight in the enduring the opposite plight in the hardest hit areas the plague had cost hardest hit areas the plague had cost hardest hit areas the plague had cost the Empire something like 30% of its the Empire something like 30% of its the Empire something like 30% of its citizens Not only was there no excess citizens Not only was there no excess citizens Not only was there no excess population to be had Marcus was trying population to be had Marcus was trying population to be had Marcus was trying to fill the empty quarters with German to fill the empty quarters with German to fill the empty quarters with German settlers so if he just let the quadi settlers so if he just let the quadi settlers so if he just let the quadi walk away his new provinces would remain walk away his new provinces would remain walk away his new provinces would remain empty and unproductive and not paying empty and unproductive and not paying empty and unproductive and not paying taxes maximan succeeded in preventing taxes maximan succeeded in preventing taxes maximan succeeded in preventing the quadi from escaping and in doing so the quadi from escaping and in doing so the quadi from escaping and in doing so set the stage for the last great battle set the stage for the last great battle set the stage for the last great battle of the Germanic of the Germanic of the Germanic Wars the quadi were trapped and Wars the quadi were trapped and Wars the quadi were trapped and desperate the Marco Mani just saw their desperate the Marco Mani just saw their desperate the Marco Mani just saw their own Roman dominated future pass before own Roman dominated future pass before own Roman dominated future pass before their eyes and a third tribe the their eyes and a third tribe the their eyes and a third tribe the roxolani were spoiling for a fight roxolani were spoiling for a fight roxolani were spoiling for a fight because they were bitter at having been because they were bitter at having been because they were bitter at having been denied all the favorable concessions denied all the favorable concessions denied all the favorable concessions their cousin the aigis had their cousin the aigis had their cousin the aigis had won together they determined that the won together they determined that the won together they determined that the Guerilla campaign was feudal and that Guerilla campaign was feudal and that Guerilla campaign was feudal and that they needed a decisive Victory to they needed a decisive Victory to they needed a decisive Victory to prevent complete Roman prevent complete Roman prevent complete Roman envelopment in April 179 a combined envelopment in April 179 a combined envelopment in April 179 a combined German Army faced off against the German Army faced off against the German Army faced off against the legions and were utterly legions and were utterly legions and were utterly routed the back of German resistance routed the back of German resistance routed the back of German resistance broken once again Marcus stood on the broken once again Marcus stood on the broken once again Marcus stood on the cusp of total cusp of total cusp of total Victory a few mop-up operations were all Victory a few mop-up operations were all Victory a few mop-up operations were all that stood between the emperor and his that stood between the emperor and his that stood between the emperor and his new Pro of marania but once again fate stepped in marania but once again fate stepped in to deny Marcus a final crowning

to deny Marcus a final crowning to deny Marcus a final crowning Glory while still encamped along the Glory while still encamped along the Glory while still encamped along the danu Marcus contracted the antonine danu Marcus contracted the antonine danu Marcus contracted the antonine plague in early 180 ad and was forced to plague in early 180 ad and was forced to plague in early 180 ad and was forced to his his his deathbed knowing that the end was near deathbed knowing that the end was near deathbed knowing that the end was near he refused to linger on as a shell of a he refused to linger on as a shell of a he refused to linger on as a shell of a man or more importantly as a shell of an man or more importantly as a shell of an man or more importantly as a shell of an emperor and stopped eating or drinking emperor and stopped eating or drinking emperor and stopped eating or drinking content to let death release him from content to let death release him from content to let death release him from all the Mortal burdens he had spent a all the Mortal burdens he had spent a all the Mortal burdens he had spent a lifetime attempting to lifetime attempting to lifetime attempting to Bear he implored communist to complete Bear he implored communist to complete Bear he implored communist to complete the job on the danu but his son who did the job on the danu but his son who did the job on the danu but his son who did his best to stay away from his dying and his best to stay away from his dying and his best to stay away from his dying and likely contagious father at the end was likely contagious father at the end was likely contagious father at the end was already beginning to indulge in his own already beginning to indulge in his own already beginning to indulge in his own fantasies about what was good and bad fantasies about what was good and bad fantasies about what was good and bad for the Empire and what was good and bad for the Empire and what was good and bad for the Empire and what was good and bad for for for Commodus in mid-march Marcus gathered Commodus in mid-march Marcus gathered Commodus in mid-march Marcus gathered his core of advisers and Generals a core his core of advisers and Generals a core his core of advisers and Generals a core who had proved during these troubled who had proved during these troubled who had proved during these troubled decades to be amongst the most capable decades to be amongst the most capable decades to be amongst the most capable men in Roman history and implored them men in Roman history and implored them men in Roman history and implored them to guide Commodus and give the boy the to guide Commodus and give the boy the to guide Commodus and give the boy the benefit of their experience and benefit of their experience and benefit of their experience and wisdom having done all he could do wisdom having done all he could do wisdom having done all he could do Marcus died on March 17 180 ad he was 59 Marcus died on March 17 180 ad he was 59 Marcus died on March 17 180 ad he was 59 years old and had been sometimes Emperor years old and had been sometimes Emperor years old and had been sometimes Emperor and sometimes co-emperor for almost and sometimes co-emperor for almost and sometimes co-emperor for almost exactly 19 exactly 19 exactly 19 years his death will Mark a turning years his death will Mark a turning years his death will Mark a turning point in Roman history or at least a point in Roman history or at least a point in Roman history or at least a turning point in the way we conceive of turning point in the way we conceive of turning point in the way we conceive of and tell the story of Roman history and tell the story of Roman history and tell the story of Roman history there would be no sixth good Emperor the there would be no sixth good Emperor the there would be no sixth good Emperor the glory and power that was Rome in the glory and power that was Rome in the glory and power that was Rome in the second century would quickly give way to second century would quickly give way to second century would quickly give way to the chaos and destruction that was Rome

the chaos and destruction that was Rome the chaos and destruction that was Rome in the 3rd in the 3rd in the 3rd Century though we conveniently point to Century though we conveniently point to Century though we conveniently point to Commodus as providing some crucial Commodus as providing some crucial Commodus as providing some crucial element in the transition from good to element in the transition from good to element in the transition from good to bad from Rise to fall the fact is that bad from Rise to fall the fact is that bad from Rise to fall the fact is that most of the seeds that eventually grew most of the seeds that eventually grew most of the seeds that eventually grew into the crisis of the 3rd Century had into the crisis of the 3rd Century had into the crisis of the 3rd Century had taken root during the reign of Marcus taken root during the reign of Marcus taken root during the reign of Marcus aelius communist may have acted as some aelius communist may have acted as some aelius communist may have acted as some kind of supercharged fertilizer but it's kind of supercharged fertilizer but it's kind of supercharged fertilizer but it's not like he took an Empire at its not like he took an Empire at its not like he took an Empire at its swinging best and single-handedly swinging best and single-handedly swinging best and single-handedly destroyed all that was good in the destroyed all that was good in the destroyed all that was good in the world first of all the migration of the world first of all the migration of the world first of all the migration of the Barbarian tribes beyond the northern Barbarian tribes beyond the northern Barbarian tribes beyond the northern Frontier specifically the rise of an Frontier specifically the rise of an Frontier specifically the rise of an interconnected and sometimes illd interconnected and sometimes illd interconnected and sometimes illd defined people called the Goths was defined people called the Goths was defined people called the Goths was already putting pressure on the borders already putting pressure on the borders already putting pressure on the borders in ways never before in ways never before in ways never before felt from the reign of marcuson the felt from the reign of marcuson the felt from the reign of marcuson the Western Empire would find itself under Western Empire would find itself under Western Empire would find itself under near constant attack from these near constant attack from these near constant attack from these Barbarian forces who who were looking to Barbarian forces who who were looking to Barbarian forces who who were looking to raid the Empire or settle within the raid the Empire or settle within the raid the Empire or settle within the Empire or conquer the Empire or conquer the Empire or conquer the empire in the past the unified and empire in the past the unified and empire in the past the unified and disciplined Legions had always been able disciplined Legions had always been able disciplined Legions had always been able to easily mow down the proud but to easily mow down the proud but to easily mow down the proud but undisciplined Warriors of the north but undisciplined Warriors of the north but undisciplined Warriors of the north but a new breed of horde was coming one that a new breed of horde was coming one that a new breed of horde was coming one that was often led by men who had fought in was often led by men who had fought in was often led by men who had fought in the legions and who knew how to fight the legions and who knew how to fight the legions and who knew how to fight the Roman way which meant that the the Roman way which meant that the the Roman way which meant that the Romans were about to lose the one Romans were about to lose the one Romans were about to lose the one competitive Advantage they had always competitive Advantage they had always competitive Advantage they had always had further the antonine plague had had further the antonine plague had had further the antonine plague had sapped the strength of both the legions sapped the strength of both the legions sapped the strength of both the legions and the civilian population reducing the and the civilian population reducing the and the civilian population reducing the Roman ranks at every level senators were Roman ranks at every level senators were Roman ranks at every level senators were dying farmers were dying generals were dying farmers were dying generals were dying farmers were dying generals were dying infantry men were dying Emperors

dying infantry men were dying Emperors dying infantry men were dying Emperors were dying food shortages resulted were dying food shortages resulted were dying food shortages resulted reduced tax revenue resulted and thus an reduced tax revenue resulted and thus an reduced tax revenue resulted and thus an increased tax burden on those still increased tax burden on those still increased tax burden on those still alive resulted and of course the alive resulted and of course the alive resulted and of course the crippling of Rome's military strength crippling of Rome's military strength crippling of Rome's military strength resulted the problem of Manning feeding resulted the problem of Manning feeding resulted the problem of Manning feeding and paying the armies would lead to a and paying the armies would lead to a and paying the armies would lead to a disconnect between the interest of the disconnect between the interest of the disconnect between the interest of the people of Rome and the interest of its people of Rome and the interest of its people of Rome and the interest of its armies which in turn led to the more armies which in turn led to the more armies which in turn led to the more fully developed military dictatorship of fully developed military dictatorship of fully developed military dictatorship of the severan the severan the severan dynasty finally the brief Revolt of dynasty finally the brief Revolt of dynasty finally the brief Revolt of aidus cashes hinted that the unity aidus cashes hinted that the unity aidus cashes hinted that the unity between the eastern and western halves between the eastern and western halves between the eastern and western halves of the empire was beginning to crack of the empire was beginning to crack of the empire was beginning to crack when all is well everyone loves everyone when all is well everyone loves everyone when all is well everyone loves everyone else when times get tough everyone else when times get tough everyone else when times get tough everyone begins to look at everyone else as the begins to look at everyone else as the begins to look at everyone else as the cause of their cause of their cause of their Misfortune for those in the East the Misfortune for those in the East the Misfortune for those in the East the Western battles against against Western battles against against Western battles against against migrating barbarians was a drain on migrating barbarians was a drain on migrating barbarians was a drain on their resources Financial as well as their resources Financial as well as their resources Financial as well as human and for those in the west the East human and for those in the west the East human and for those in the west the East had become practically an alien world had become practically an alien world had become practically an alien world inhabited by scheming Unix and Oriental inhabited by scheming Unix and Oriental inhabited by scheming Unix and Oriental Mystics who were destroying the moral Mystics who were destroying the moral Mystics who were destroying the moral fiber of the Empire it is fair to say that communist Empire it is fair to say that communist did not cause any of this nor did he did not cause any of this nor did he did not cause any of this nor did he cause the decline and fall of the Roman cause the decline and fall of the Roman cause the decline and fall of the Roman Empire next week though we will see What Empire next week though we will see What Empire next week though we will see What communists did to exacerbate the communists did to exacerbate the communists did to exacerbate the situation situation situation because though he got off to a good because though he got off to a good because though he got off to a good start a botched assassination attempt start a botched assassination attempt start a botched assassination attempt early in his Reign would trigger an early in his Reign would trigger an early in his Reign would trigger an excess of paranoia a paranoia the young excess of paranoia a paranoia the young excess of paranoia a paranoia the young Emperor would offset by retreating into Emperor would offset by retreating into Emperor would offset by retreating into a megalomaniacal fantasy world

a megalomaniacal fantasy world a megalomaniacal fantasy world [Music]