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Antoninus Pius

Reece Period attributed: Period 7

Obverse image of a coin of Antoninus Pius

Member of the The Antonines dynasty.

Coins for this issuer were issued from 138 until 161.

Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionus Arrius Antoninus was born in AD 86 to a politically-involved family. He eventually gained the honorific name 'Pius', possibly because of his devotion to duty and upstanding character. He took the usual route through Roman political offices, but he knew little of military affairs.

Hadrian adopted Antoninus in AD 138 after the death of designated heir Aelius Caesar. In turn, Antoninus adopted Marcus Annius Verus (eventually Marcus Aurelius) and the future emperor Commodus at the same ceremony. Antoninus' succession was unchallenged, and he introduced reforms for the acceptable treatment of slaves. An excellent public speaker, he ruled justly and compassionately. Antoninus engaged in no major military campaigns, and the empire enjoyed peace during his reign.

Antoninus Pius died of a short illness and was deified almost immediately by the Senate. He officially handed his power to his adoptive son Marcus Aurelius while dying. His body, along with his wife Faustina's, was laid to rest in the Mausoleum of Hadrian in one of the first imperial inhumations (as opposed to the more-common cremation).

Antoninus Pius followed his predecessor Hadrian's new fashion and wore a beard. He had a stern expression and was very tall and handsome.

Latest examples recorded with images

We have recorded 1,843 examples.

PAS record number: OXON-7536E6

Record: OXON-7536E6
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Description: A clipped silver Roman denarius of Antonin…
Workflow: Awaiting validationFind awaiting validation

PAS record number: SF-12498B

Record: SF-12498B
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Description: A complete copper alloy Roman as of Antoni…
Workflow: Awaiting validationFind awaiting validation

PAS record number: SF-12410C

Record: SF-12410C
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Description: A complete copper alloy Roman as of Antoni…
Workflow: Awaiting validationFind awaiting validation

PAS record number: BH-1090BA

Record: BH-1090BA
Object type: COIN
Broadperiod: ROMAN
Description: A complete copper-alloy Roman se…
Workflow: Awaiting validationFind awaiting validation

Other resources about Antoninus Pius

View all coins recorded by the scheme attributed to Antoninus Pius.

Information from Wikipedia

  • Preferred label: Antoninus Pius
  • Full names:
    • Antoninus Fulvus Pius
    • Caesar Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius (as emperor)
    • Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus (from birth to adoption by Hadrian);
    • Titus Aelius Caesar Antoninus (from adoption to accession);
    • Antoninus Pius
  • Title: Antoninus Pius, Consul of the Roman Empire
  • Predecessor: Hadrian
  • Successor: Lucius Verus, Marcus Aurelius
  • Definition: Antoninus Pius (Latin: Titus Fulvus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius; 19 September, 86 AD – 7 March, 161 AD), also known as Antoninus, was Roman Emperor from 138 to 161. He was one of the Five Good Emperors in the Nerva–Antonine dynasty and the Aurelii. He acquired the name Pius after his accession to the throne, either because he compelled the Senate to deify his adoptive father Hadrian, or because he had saved senators sentenced to death by Hadrian in his later years. He died of illness in 161 and was succeeded by his adopted sons Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus as co-emperors.
  • Parents:
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  • Other title(s):
    • List of Roman Emperors
    • Antoninus Pius
    • Consul of the Roman Empire
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