The Death of Marcus Aurelius Predecessor

On this day in ancient history - March 7:

On this day in ancient Roman history, in A.D. 161, Emperor Antoninus Pius (86 - March 7, 161) died. Marcus Aurelius (121 - 180) and Lucius Verus (130 - 169) succeeded him.
Marcus Aurelius
Public DomainThe last of the 5 good emperors, Marcus Aurelius is known as a Stoic philosopher. In addition to writing his meditations, he conducted wars, particularly against the Parthian Empire and the Marcomanni. It was during his reign that a great plague broke out, named the Antonine Plague for Marcus Aurelius' family. It is also called the Plague of Galen because Galen was present and wrote about it. Even though Galen wrote about the plague, we don't know for certain the identity of the pandemic disease. However, smallpox is the leading contender. The Historia Augusta says that when he was dying Marcus Aurelius sent his friends away for fear that they might catch his disease.