Marcus Aurelius Antonius, born Marcus Annius Verus in 121 C.E, was adopted at age 17 by emperor Antonius Pius. Marcus succeeded to the throne without difficulty after the death of Antonius in 161 C.E. A devotee of Stoicism, Marcus is well remembered for his Meditations, written while in isolation, ...

Some people claim that the emperor Commodus was one of the worst emperors in Roman history. Commodus was the son of Marcus Aurelius, who was a successful ruler in Roman history who set a precedent in which Commodus had to live up to. Commodus proved himself to be a dictator who was a very disengaged...