Born in Rome in 121 A.D.; died in 180; celebrated as emperor
and Stoic philosopher; a nephew of Antoninus Pius, whom he
succeeded as emperor, with Lucius Verus; after the death of
Verus in 169 became sole emperor; his reign notable for
wisdom and the happiness of the Roman people; wrote his
"Meditations" in Greek; a bronze equestrian statue of him in
Rome is the finest extant specimen of ancient bronze.