Antiquity

Antoninus Pius’ father was descended from a wealthy family in Trans-Alpine Gaul that had migrated to Rome, attaining the consulship in the days of Antoninus’ grandfather. His mother came from the upper echelons of the senatorial aristocracy in Rome. Born September 19, 86 CE, Antoninus was reared at a family estate at Lanuvium about ten miles west of Rome. His lofty family connections led to an official career that Antoninus – described in his ancient biography as a brilliant, handsome young man – carried out with notable success. His achievements attracted the attention of the emperor Hadrian, who appointed him chief judge of one of Italy’s four judicial districts (120). His later career was equally distinguished, and when the emperor became fatally ill early in 138, he adopted Antoninus as his successor. Dio Cassius reports the formal adoption in some detail:

Coming to the throne in middle age (he was 52) after long government service, Antoninus was, as Hadrian indicated, thoroughly trained for his new position, and his twenty-three-year reign was famously peaceful and prosperous. Yet, he had had some misfortunes. His two sons and his eldest daughter were dead before he ascended the throne, and in 141 his wife, Faustina, also died prematurely.