Antoninus Pius was born Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus in 87AD and was Emperor of the Roman Empire from 138 – 161AD.
His rule is universally recognised as one of peace and prosperity.
When Emperor Hadrian’s adopted son Verus died, he adopted Antoninus Pius as his son. In turn, Antoninus Pius adopted the future Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
When Emperor Hadrian died, Antoninus showed such piety that he earned the name “pius.”
When his wife, Faustina, died in late 140 he founded the Puellae Faustinianae, a charitable institution for the daughters of the poor, in her memory
During his 23-year reign a rebellion in Roman Britain was suppressed and, in 142, a 36-mile garrisoned barrier called the Antonine Wall was built to extend the Roman frontier some 100 miles north of Hadrian’s Wall.
