v16_0534 - ANTONINO PIO Sesterce, (GB, Æ 34)

ANTONINUS PIUS

(02/25/138-03/7/161)

Augustus

Antonin was born on September 19, 86 in Lanuvium. His family is from Gaul (Nîmes). He was a wealthy senator who married Faustina the Elder between 110 and 115 and thus entered Hadrian's family by marriage. After the death of Aelius on January 1, 138, Hadrian chose Antonin to succeed him on February 25, 138, adding two adopted sons, Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus. Hadrian dies on July 10 and Antonin succeeds him. He must first fight to deify Hadrian, enemy of the Senate. In 139, Marc Aurèle becomes Caesar and Faustina Augusta. His reign is calm and happy and symbolizes the "Pax Romana" of the second century. In 148, he commemorated with pomp the 900th anniversary of Rome.