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On this day in AD138 the Emperor Hadrian died and was succeeded by Antoninus Pius.

Coming to the throne in 117, Hadrian was the third of the so-called ‘Five Good Emperors’, who were known for their peaceful and prosperous reigns. Hadrian was also well known for his love of learning and his extensive building works; he was especially loved by the Greeks, who named him as the second founder of the city of Athens because of his many building projects there.

On this day in AD175 Commodus took the toga virilis, the sign he had entered adulthood

The denarius shows Apollo leaning on a column, a type known only under this emperor.

On this day in AD107 Trajan celebrated his second triumph over the Dacians

What was the nature of this military success?

On this day in AD 121, the emperor Marcus Aurelius was born

Born on the 26th of April 121, he was born Marcus Annius Verus to a relatively inconspicuous father of the same name who died as praetor-designate in 124, when his son was only three years old.

On this day in 195 Julia Domna was awarded the title mater castrorum

Who was this woman, and what is the significance of her title?

On this day the Roman emperor Septimius Severus was born

Lucius Septimius Severus was born on 11 April, AD 145 or 146, in Leptis Magna in modern day Libya, the first emperor to be born in Africa.

On this day in 180AD the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius died

On the coin he is shown ascending to heaven on the back on an eagle, seeming to wave goodbye to the world.

1877 years ago today: Hadrian adopted Pius on the proviso Pius adopted Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus…

Today marks the anniversary of the adoption of Antoninus Pius by the emperor Hadrian, on condition that Pius adopted both Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.

1899 years ago today: Trajan was awarded the title Parthicus

Emperor Trajan, or Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Divi Nervae filius Augustus, was born on September 18th AD 56 to Marcia and Marcus Ulpius Traianus, a prominent senator and general. Trajan acceded to the emperorship in AD 98, reigning until his death in AD 117. He fought in Germania and proved to be a gifted general under the reign of Nerva.