Marcus Aurelius (AD 121-180)

Roman emperor from 161 and Stoic philosopher who wrote the philosophical Meditations. He fought a series of campaigns against the Germanic tribes on the Rhine-Danube frontier, known collectively as the Marcomannic Wars, and died in Pannonia where he had gone to drive back the invading Marcomanni.

Marcus Aurelius was born in Rome where he was adopted by his uncle, the emperor Antoninus Pius, whom he succeeded in 161. He conceded an equal share in the rule to Lucius Verus (died 169). He had a column constructed in Rome bearing reliefs of campaign scenes, but these are considered less realistic than those on the more famous Trajan's Column.