Refer to the comprehensive List of Roman Emperorsfor the names of the most famous Romans, their dynasties and the historic eras of all the Roman Emperors and usurpers. Short Biography about the life of Lucius Verus Short Biography profile and facts about one of the most famous Romans of all, in the life of Lucius Verus, Emperor of Rome and provinces of the Roman Empire. - Name commonly known as: Lucius Verus
- Latin Roman Name: Lucius Ceionius Commodus Verus Armeniacus
- Reigned as Roman Emperor / Caesar: March 8, 161-169 with Marcus Aurelius
- Dynasty / Historical Period: Antonine
- Place and Date of Birth: Lucius Verus was born 15 December 130 in Rome
- Name of previous Emperor: His predecessor or the Emperor before Lucius Verus was Antoninus Pius
- Date succeeded as Emperor of Rome and circumstances of rule: March 8, 161 - Marcus Aurelius needed to share the government of the empire with Lucius Verus, his adopted brother, who was strong and healthy but was, however, addicted to licentious pleasures.
- Family connections / Genealogy
- Name of Father: Lucius Aelius (natural); Antoninus Pius (adoptive, from Feb 138)
- Name of Mother: Avidia Plautia
- Lucius Verus married: Annia Galeria Lucilla (daughter of Marcus Aurelius)
- Children: Two daughters and one son. the elder daughter and the son had short lives. The younger daughter Aurelia Lucilla eventually married Claudius Pompeianus Quintianus
- Place and Date of Death: Lucius Verus died 169 (age 39) in Rome
- Name of next Emperor: The successor to Lucius Verus was Marcus Aurelius and Commodus
Short Biography of Lucius Verus Obtain a fast overview of the times of the Roman Emperor Lucius Verus from the following facts and information about his life. Why was Lucius Verus famous? Accomplishments, achievements and important events: In the previous reigns Antoninus Pius had made Marcus Aurelius his associate in the government of the Roman Empire. Due to bad health Marcus Aurelius needed to share the government of the empire with his adopted brother, Lucius Verus, who was strong and healthy but was, however, addicted to all forms of licentious pleasures. Interesting facts about the life of Lucius Verus Lucius Verus was tall, well-proportioned and genial of expression. His beard was allowed to grow long, almost in the style of the barbarians. Lucius Verus had a stately air about him. He was vain and took such pride in his blond hair that he used to sift gold-dust on his head in order that his hair, thus brightened, might seem even brighter. Lucius Verus enjoyed a lavish lifestyle in the company of actors, drinkers and gamblers. He often went to common brothels and taverns. These activities were interspersed with visits to the chariot races and gladiator games. Lucius Verus favored the greens in the chariot races, the team that was supported by the common mob. Lucius Verus and the Parthian War The Parthian king, Vologeses III, invaded the eastern provinces. Lucius Verus was sent to quell the Parthians but left the ffighting to his generals who succeeded in the task. The Parthian Empire consisted of Armenia, Mesopotamia, Iran, and Afghanistan, providing access to the Silk Road, the trade route between the Mediterranean Sea and China. Lucius Verus wasted his time in Athens allowing his army to quell the barbarians. In A.D. 166 Lucius Verus returned to Rome, took the credit for the successes and claimed a triumph. His army brought the plague with it from the East which desolated Rome and much of Italy. In A.D. 168 the twin emperors escaped the plagued city of Rome to go North to the provinces around the Danube, where they mounted a military offensive against the threatening barbarians of the Germanic tribes. Verus died in A.D. 171 riddled with either the plague or a disease from his dissolute lifestyle. Lucius Verus was thirty-nine years old. Antonine Dynasty The Nervan and Antonine dynasty consisted of the "Five Good Emperors" (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius) together with Lucius Verus, who ruled jointly with Marcus Aurelius, and Commodus the son of Marcus Aurelius. |