page_title: Lucius Verus
section_title: Years in Rome
hierarchical_section_title: Lucius Verus / Emperor / Years in Rome
caption_attribution_description: English: Portrait head of the emperor Lucius Verus (AD 161-169). Pentelic marble. Found in Athens. National Archaeological Museum of Athens Ελληνικά: Εικονιστική κεφαλή του αυτοκράτορα Λούκιου Βέρου (161-169 μ.Χ.). Μάρμαρο πεντελικό. Βρέθηκε στην Αθήνα. Εθνικό Αρχαιολογικό Μουσείο. Italiano: Busto in marmo pentelico dell'imperatore romano Lucio Vero (130-169 d.C.), esposto nella stanza 32 del Museo archeologico nazionale di Atene.
context_page_description: Lucius Aurelius Verus was Roman emperor from 161 until his death in 169, alongside his adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius. He was a member of the Nerva-Antonine dynasty. Verus' succession together with Marcus Aurelius marked the first time that the Roman Empire was ruled by multiple emperors, an increasingly common occurrence in the later history of the Empire.
  The eldest son of Lucius Aelius Caesar, first adopted son and heir to Hadrian, Verus was born and educated in Rome where he held several political offices prior to taking the throne. After his biological father’s death in 138, he was adopted by Antoninus Pius, who was himself adopted by Hadrian. Hadrian died later that year, and Antoninus Pius succeeded to the throne. Antoninus Pius ruled until 161 and was succeeded by Lucius Verus and Marcus Aurelius. The majority of Verus’s reign was occupied by his direction of the war with Parthia which ended in Roman victory and some territorial gains. After initial involvement in the Marcomannic Wars, he fell ill and died in 169. He was deified by the Roman Senate as the Divine Verus.
context_section_description: The next two years (166–168) were spent in Rome. Verus continued with his glamorous lifestyle and kept the troupe of actors and favourites with him. He had a tavern built in his house, where he celebrated parties with his friends until dawn. He also enjoyed roaming around the city among the population, without acknowledging his identity. The games of the circus were another passion in his life, especially chariot racing. Marcus Aurelius disapproved of his conduct but, since Verus continued to perform his official tasks with efficiency, there was little he could do.
caption: Portrait head of Lucius Verus, found in Athens (National Archaeological Museum of Athens). He used to sprinkle gold-dust on his blond hair to make it brighter.[154]
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