of Antoninus Pius; Marcus Aurelius Antoninus succeeds to the
Roman throne and makes Lucius Verus his associate in the Empire.

Roman war with Parthia begins.

162. Volagases, with a Parthian army, invades Syria and defeats the
Romans.

163. Verus, the Roman Emperor, enjoys himself at Antioch and Daphne
while his generals reap successes in Armenia and Media.

165. Seleucia and Ctesiphon are captured by the Romans; end of the
Parthian war; Rome acquires Mesopotamia.

166.* Great plague throughout the Roman Empire.

War begins between Rome and the Germanic tribes of the Marcomanni and
Quadi, which had invaded Roman territories.

168. The Marcomanni retire into their own country, but M. Aurelius
pursues his preparations against them, in order to safeguard Italy.

169. Sudden death of Verus, while in his chariot, on his journey to
Rome.

174. Aurelius makes a short visit to Rome; when he rejoins the army the
German tribes are signally defeated; this gives rise to the fable of the
"Thundering Legion."

177. Persecution of the Christians in Gaul begins; Pothinus, Bishop of
Lyons, suffers martyrdom. See "PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS IN GAUL,"
iii, 246.

180. Death of Marcus Aurelius; his son, Commodus, succeeds him on the
Roman throne. See "BEGINNING OF ROME'S DECLINE: COMMODUS," iii, 263.

183. Lucilla, the sister of Commodus, having conspired against her
brother, is exiled from Rome; Commodus vents his rage on the senators.

184. The Caledonians break through the wall on the northern borders of
Britain; they are driven back by Ulpius Marcellus.

185. Marcia, the favorite of Commodus, protects the Christians.

Birth of Origen, one of the early Church fathers, at Alexandria.

186. Many prominent Roman citizens are put to death, by order of
Commodus.

187. Commodus degrades himself by acting as a gladiator and slaying wild
beasts in the Circus at Rome. See "BEGINNING OF ROME'S DECLINE:
COMMODUS," iii, 263.

188. Lightning strikes the Capitol at Rome; the library and many
adjacent buildings are burned.

189. Revolt of Maternus in Spain and Gaul subdued by Pescennius Niger.

Famine and pestilence in Rome; popular commotions; the guards are
overcome and Commodus is driven to Lanuvium; the populace is appeased by
the sacrifice of Cleander. See "BEGINNING OF ROME'S DECLINE: COMMODUS,"
iii, 263.

191. Great fire at Rome; the temples of Vesta and of Peace are burned;
many valuable libraries destroyed, in whi