The death of Marcus Aurelius marked the end of a long period of stability in the history of the Roman Empire, a sort of “golden age” during which it achieved its greatest territorial extent.
Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius died on this day in 180. This important even was depicted in the famous Academy Award-winning movie “Gladiator” (2000). However, the film ahistorically depicts his death as a murder by his own son Commodus. In reality, Marcus Aurelius died in a military camp near Vindobona (near today’s Vienna), most likely from a disease. He was 58 years old.
The death of Marcus Aurelius marked the end of a long period of stability in the history of the Roman Empire, a sort of “golden age” during which it achieved its greatest territorial extent. During this time emperors were generally succeeded by an adopted son, which brought a measure of stability. Marcus Aurelius was, however, succeeded by his biological son Commodus, thus ending a tradition which had lasted almost a century.
