MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS was born on April 26, A.D. 121. His real name was M.Annius Verus, and he was sprung of a noble family which claimed descent fromNuma, second King of Rome. Thus the most religious of emperors came of theblood of the most pious of early kings. His father, Annius Verus, had held highoffice in Rome, and his grandfather, of the same name, had been thrice Consul.Both his parents died young, but Marcus held them in loving remembrance. On hisfather's death Marcus was adopted by his grandfather, the consular AnniusVerus, and there was deep love between these two. On the very first page of hisbook Marcus gratefully declares how of his grandfather he had learned to begentle and meek, and to refrain from all anger and passion. The Emperor Hadriandivined the fine character of the lad, whom he used to call not Verus butVerissimus, more Truthful than his own name. He advanced Marcus to equestrianrank when six years of age, and at the age of eight made him a member of theancient Salian priesthood. The boy's aunt, Annia Galeria Faustina, was marriedto Antoninus Pius, afterwards emperor. Hence it came about that Antoninus,having no son, adopted Marcus, changing his name to that which he is known by,and betrothed him to his daughter Faustina. His education was conducted withall care. The ablest teachers were engaged for him, and he was trained in thestrict doctrine of the Stoic philosophy, which was his great delight. He wastaught to dress plainly and to live simply, to avoid all softness and luxury.His body was trained to hardihood by wrestling, hunting, and outdoor games; andthough his constitution was weak, he showed great personal courage to encounterthe fiercest boars. At the same time he was kept from the extravagancies of hisday. The great excitement in Rome was the strife of the Factions, as they werecalled, in the circus. The racing drivers used to adopt one of fourcolours—red, blue, white, or green—and their partisans showed aneagerness in supporting them which nothing could surpass. Riot and corruptionwent in the train of the racing chariots; and from all these things Marcus heldseverely aloof.
In 140 Marcus was raised to the consulship, and in 145 his betrothal wasconsummated by marriage. Two years later Faustina brought him a daughter; andsoon after the tribunate and other i