Marcus Aurelius was an able administrator and ruler, but found himself on the northern borders of the Empire fighting a series of defensive wars against Germanic tribes for most of his 19 year reign. He co-ruled with his adoptive brother Lucius Verus for eight years until the latter's death. He decided that his son, Commodus, would succeed him as emperor. Aurelius built very little in Rome, beginning the Column of Marcus Aurelius that was not completed until long after his death. Aurelius remains one of the great figures of Roman history and is generally considered to be the last in a line of good emperors and the end of his reign is often considered the beginning of the decline of the Roman Empire.

                                                                                         

Places in Rome to see the contributions of Marcus Aurelius:

• Eight reliefs showing Marcus Aurelius conducting civic duties were originally created on an Arch honoring Marcus Aurelius, but were later moved to the Arch of Constantine (the arch no longer exists).
• Three additional reliefs from that arch are in main stairway in the Capitoline Museum
• The Column of Marcus Aurelius commemorates the victories of Marcus Aurelius in the Marcomannic wars from 172 to 175 AD.
• A copy of the equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius is in the center of the Campidoglio, and the original is in the Capitoline Museum.

See also:

• My Marcus Aurelius photos