Antoninus Pius - A.D. 153-154 - Sestertius - LIBERTAS COS IIII / S C RIC # 917

Antoninus Pius - Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius - (September 19 86 - March 7 161), was Roman emperor from 138 to 161. He was one of the 5 Good Emperors from the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. Born into a senatorial family, Antoninus held various offices during the reign of Emperor Hadrian. He married Hadrian's niece Faustina & Hadrian adopted him as his son & successor shortly before his death. Antoninus acquired the cognomen Pius after his accession to the throne, either because he compelled the Senate

to deify his adoptive father, or because he had saved senators sentenced to death by Hadrian in his later years. His reign is notable for the peaceful state of the Empire, with no major revolts or military incursions during this time & for his governing without ever leaving Italy. A successful military campaign in southern Scotland early in his reign resulted in the construction of the Antonine Wall. Antoninus was an effective administrator, leaving his successors a large surplus in the treasury, expanding free access to drinking water throughout the Empire, encouraging legal conformity & facilitating the enfranchisement of freed slaves. He died of illness in 161 & was succeeded by his adopted sons Marcus Aurelius & Lucius Verus as co-emperors.