MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS was born on April 26, A.D. 121 His real name was M.
Annius Verus, and he was sprung of a noble family which claimed descent from Numa, second King
of Rome. Thus the most religious of emperors came of the blood of the most pious of early kings.
His father, Annius Verus, had held high office in Rome, and his grandfather, of the same name, had
been thrice Consul. Both his parents died young, but Marcus held them in loving remembrance. On
his father ...