# Marcus Annius Verus (father of Marcus Aurelius)

Marcus Annius Verus (d. 124 AD) was a distinguished Roman politician who lived in the 2nd century, served as a praetor and was the father of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

## Life

He was the son of Roman senator Marcus Annius Verus and noblewoman Rupilia Faustina. His brother was the consul Marcus Annius Libo and his sister was Faustina the Elder, wife of Antoninus Pius. He married Domitia Lucilla, the heiress of a wealthy family which owned a tile factory. They had two children, Marcus Aurelius (born in 121, and who was also originally named Marcus Annius Verus), and Annia Cornificia Faustina (born in 123). Annius Verus died young while he held the office of praetor. Both his children were still young. The likeliest year of his death is 124.
In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius, who was only about 3 years old when his father died, says of him: "From what I heard of my father and my memory of him, modesty and manliness."

## Nerva–Antonine family tree

vteNerva–Antonine family tree :
| Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | Q. Marcius Barea Soranus | | | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | Q. Marcius Barea Sura | | | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | Antonia Furnilla | | | | | | | | | | | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | M. Cocceius Nerva | | | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | Sergia Plautilla | | | | | | | | | | | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus | P. Aelius Hadrianus |
| Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | Titus (r. 79–81) | | | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | Marcia Furnilla | | | Marcia | Marcia | Marcia | Marcia | Marcia | Marcia | | | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | Trajanus Pater | | | | | | | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | Nerva (r. 96–98) | | | | | | | Ulpia | Ulpia | Ulpia | Ulpia | Ulpia | Ulpia | | | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus | Aelius Hadrianus Marullinus |
| | | | | Flavia | Flavia | Flavia | Flavia | Flavia | Flavia | | | Marciana | Marciana | Marciana | Marciana | Marciana | Marciana | | | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | C. Salonius Matidius | | | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | Trajan (r. 98–117) | | | Plotina | Plotina | Plotina | Plotina | Plotina | Plotina | | | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | P. Acilius Attianus | | | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | P. Aelius Afer | | | Paulina Major | Paulina Major | Paulina Major | Paulina Major | Paulina Major | Paulina Major |
| Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | Lucius Mindius (2) | | | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | Libo Rupilius Frugi (3) | | | | | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | Salonia Matidia | | | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | L. Vibius Sabinus (1) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | Paulina Minor | | | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus | L. Julius Ursus Servianus |
| | | | | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | Matidia Minor | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Sabina | Sabina | Sabina | Sabina | Sabina | Sabina | | | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | Hadrian (r. 117–138) | | | Antinous | Antinous | Antinous | Antinous | Antinous | Antinous | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | C. Fuscus Salinator I | | | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina | Julia Serviana Paulina |
| M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | | | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | Rupilia Faustina | | | | | | | | | | | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | Boionia Procilla | | | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | Cn. Arrius Antoninus | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | L. Ceionius Commodus | | | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | Appia Severa | | | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II | C. Fuscus Salinator II |
| | | | | | | | | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | L. Caesennius Paetus | | | | | | | | | | | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | Arria Antonina | | | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | Arria Fadilla | | | | | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | T. Aurelius Fulvus | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | L. Caesennius Antoninus | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | L. Commodus | | | Plautia | Plautia | Plautia | Plautia | Plautia | Plautia | | | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | unknown | | | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus | C. Avidius Nigrinus |
| M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | M. Annius Verus | | | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | Calvisia Domitia Lucilla | | | | | | | Fundania | Fundania | Fundania | Fundania | Fundania | Fundania | | | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | M. Annius Libo | | | Faustina | Faustina | Faustina | Faustina | Faustina | Faustina | | | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | Antoninus Pius (r. 138–161) | | | | | | | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | L. Aelius Caesar | | | | | | | | | | | Avidia | Avidia | Avidia | Avidia | Avidia | Avidia |
| Cornificia | Cornificia | Cornificia | Cornificia | Cornificia | Cornificia | | | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180) | | | | | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | Faustina Minor | | | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | C. Avidius Cassius | | | | | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | Aurelia Fadilla | | | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | Lucius Verus (r. 161–169) (1) | | | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | Ceionia Fabia | | | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | | | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | Q. Servilius Pudens | | | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia | Ceionia Plautia |
| Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | Cornificia Minor | | | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | M. Petronius Sura | | | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | Commodus (r. 177–192) | | | Fadilla | Fadilla | Fadilla | Fadilla | Fadilla | Fadilla | | | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | M. Annius Verus Caesar | | | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | Ti. Claudius Pompeianus (2) | | | Lucilla | Lucilla | Lucilla | Lucilla | Lucilla | Lucilla | | | | | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | M. Plautius Quintillus | | | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | Junius Licinius Balbus | | | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia | Servilia Ceionia |
| | | | | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | Petronius Antoninus | | | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | L. Aurelius Agaclytus (2) | | | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | Aurelia Sabina | | | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | L. Antistius Burrus (1) | | | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | Plautius Quintillus | | | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | Plautia Servilla | | | | | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | C. Furius Sabinus Timesitheus | | | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | Antonia Gordiana | | | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? | Junius Licinius Balbus? |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | Furia Sabina Tranquillina | | | | | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) | Gordian III (r. 238–244) |
* (1) = 1st spouse
* (2) = 2nd spouse
* (3) = 3rd spouse
* Reddish-purple indicates emperor of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty  lighter purple indicates designated imperial heir of said dynasty who never reigned  grey indicates unsuccessful imperial aspirants  bluish-purple indicates emperors of other dynasties
* dashed lines indicate adoption; dotted lines indicate love affairs/unmarried relationships
* Small Caps = posthumously deified (Augusti, Augustae, or other)
Notes:
Except where otherwise noted, the notes below indicate that an individual's parentage is as shown in the above family tree.
↑ Sister of Trajan's father: Giacosa (1977), p. 7.
↑ Giacosa (1977), p. 8.
1 2 Levick (2014), p. 161.
↑ Husband of Ulpia Marciana: Levick (2014), p. 161.
1 2 Giacosa (1977), p. 7.
1 2 3 DIR contributor (Herbert W. Benario, 2000), "Hadrian".
1 2 Giacosa (1977), p. 9.
↑ Husband of Salonia Matidia: Levick (2014), p. 161.
↑ Smith (1870), "Julius Servianus".
↑ Smith (1870), "Hadrian", pp. 319–322.
↑ Lover of Hadrian: Lambert (1984), p. 99 and passim; deification: Lamber (1984), pp. 2–5, etc.
↑ Husband of Rupilia Faustina: Levick (2014), p. 163.
1 2 3 4 Levick (2014), p. 163.
↑ It is uncertain whether Rupilia Faustina was Frugi's daughter by Salonia Matidia or another woman.
1 2 3 4 Levick (2014), p. 162.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Levick (2014), p. 164.
↑ Wife of M. Annius Verus: Giacosa (1977), p. 10.
↑ Wife of M. Annius Libo: Levick (2014), p. 163.
1 2 3 4 5 Giacosa (1977), p. 10.
↑ The epitomator of Cassius Dio (72.22) gives the story that Faustina the Elder promised to marry Avidius Cassius. This is also echoed in HA "Marcus Aurelius" 24.
↑ Husband of Ceionia Fabia: Levick (2014), p. 164.
1 2 3 Levick (2014), p. 117. :
References:
DIR contributors (2000). "De Imperatoribus Romanis: An Online Encyclopedia of Roman Rulers and Their Families". Retrieved 2015-04-14.
Giacosa, Giorgio (1977). Women of the Caesars: Their Lives and Portraits on Coins. Translated by R. Ross Holloway. Milan: Edizioni Arte e Moneta. ISBN 0-8390-0193-2.
Lambert, Royston (1984). Beloved and God: The Story of Hadrian and Antinous. New York: Viking. ISBN 0-670-15708-2.
Levick, Barbara (2014). Faustina I and II: Imperial Women of the Golden Age. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-537941-9.
Smith, William, ed. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. :