brm_945261 - ANTONINUS PIUS Denier

ANTONINUS PIUS

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

Caesar

After the death of Aélius on January 1, 138, Hadrian, ill, must find a new Caesar. The climate of the beginning of the year 138 is well rendered by Mr. Yourcenar in the “Memoirs of Hadrian”. Hadrian adopts Antonin, a distant relative of his family. On the other hand, Hadrian obliges Antonin to jointly adopt Marc Aurèle, son of Annius Vérus and Lucius Vérus, son of Aélius. Hadrian, having settled his estate and dismissed his brother-in-law and the latter's grandson, could die peacefully on July 10, 138. Hated by the Senate, he was refused apotheosis. It will take the pugnacity of Antoninus to make him deified.