So I saw this image on reddit, it's a section of the Ephesus, Parthian Monuments. It depicts Hadrian in the right with his adopted heir Antoninus Pius, and his adoptive sons Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Things that truly sets these men apart from literally any other men in power were, 1. Hadrian actually chose someone who's worthy of the job, 2. Antoninus Pius did just that, and also piously followed the will of adopting Aurelius and Verus, 3. Aurelius and Verus could've fought among themselves for the throne*cough* Severans *cough*, but instead Aurelius willingly shared his throne to his half-brother even when some senators advised against it! I don't know if we would ever see men like them (yes, even in this current 'civilized' modern world). And, here's my take on these busts to keep it related to coins!
Thing might have been quite different had Verus been a bit older while Hadrian was alive and directing the successions. It is hard to pin down intents and backstories but the marriage of Marcus and Faustina II and the coin issue of Pius and Marcus without Lucius Verus makes clear the preferences of Pius. Everyone kept the deal with Hadrian including Verus who grew up with a claim to the throne that would have led to civil war in many circumstances. I see what we have here is a rare instance of honest politicians gathered in one place with the best intentions for the good of the Empire. Another of the 'what if' questions that never can be answered is what woul have happened had Verus outlived Marcus. Would Rome have been spared Commodus?
This is something like the truth...revealed when I visited Fethiye Museum in 2011. Whilst I was there the recently discovered statues of Roman nobility were being delivered by being lowered over the wall. A series of pictures was taken by me that tells the consequences of one night with the Nobles where Hadrian gets trolleyed As you can see Hadrian had a heavy night and slaves are wheeling him back home...... Isis is out of her face (and clothes)
Antoninus Pius, looking, well Pius... A bashful Mr Marcus Aurelius looking...well bashful...... Who me? Faustina Minor. Lucius, Lucius where art thou.........? The curator booted me out...we are closed. What is it about me and museums?
Nice sculpture which I have not seen before. There certainly was continuity during the time of the five "good emperors" and most of them, with the possible exception of Hadrian, contributed to the continuing power and prosperity of the empire. Hadrian was known for confiscating estates and tormenting his enemies to a greater extent than the others. In contrast to the traveler Hadrian, Antoninus Pius never left Italy during his reign. Marcus Aurelius, as of the 160's and throughout his reign had to deal with military crises, a kind of omen for what would happen in the third century. Marcus was indeed a philosopher, but made the mistake of choosing his son as his successor, which none of the other "good" emperors had done. Also, there is no evidence that he tried to turn Rome back into a Republic upon his death, unlike the movie Gladiator which for some reason portrayed that in the plot.
Cool sculpture, thanks for sharing! Good point, I completely agree. What makes it even more impressive to me is that Verus wasn't a kid anymore when A. Pius died...he was 30. Verus and Marcus were smart and humble enough to realize that they (and the Empire) were better off working together and sharing the power rather than trying to kill other. Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, Seleucis and Pieria, Laodicea ad Mare. 161-169 AD, AE Diassarion (25 mm, 9.08 g), Laureate head of Marcus Aurelius to r./ Rev. Laureate, draped and cuirassed bust of Lucius Verus to r., RPC online IV.3 9010
ID apparently uncertain. Barbara Levick, Faustina I and II, 2014, p. 54: "The identity of the owner of the female head, marginal as it seems to be, also needs to be considered. Barnes took it to be that of Faustina II, first Verus's and then Marcus's fiancée. She may, rather, be Faustina I. If the monument dates after her deification, her presence is explicable as a gracious tribute; earlier than that her political importance comes into play as the link between Pius and his new heir, her nephew Marcus."
If Faustina II was born in 130 AD she would be the same age as Verus and would seem appropriately depicted in the same size as Verus rather than the older (by nine years) Marcus. I assumed the figure was Faustina I. I also assumed the monument dated to the period of 'negotiations' regarding the recently deceased Hadrian since Pius (and Hadrian) are shown with head coverings. Assumptions are dangerous but here Verus could be eight and Aurelius 17 as expected for 138AD. I am a little bothered by the size of the issue displaying Aurelius on the reverse without a single coin showing both adoptees or a parallel issue with Verus. Was Pius considering dropping him? Did Aurelius have a role in keeping his 'brother'? Other than sharing a name, Aurelius was not like Caracalla. a fourree:
