161

Events

By place

Roman Empire

• March 7
• * Emperor Antoninus Pius dies, and is succeeded by Marcus Aurelius, who shares imperial power with Lucius Verus, although Marcus retains the title Pontifex Maximus.
• * Marcus Aurelius, a Spaniard like Trajan and Hadrian, is a stoical disciple of Epictetus, and an energetic man of action. He pursues the policy of his predecessor, and maintains good relations with the Senate. As a legislator, he endeavours to create new principles of morality and humanity, particularly favouring women and slaves.
• Aurelius reduces the weight of a goldpiece, the aureus, from 7.81 grams to 7.12 grams.
• Autumn
• *The Parthians invade Armenia, and install their own candidate on the throne. A legion is destroyed at Elegia.

  By topic

Arts and sciences

• Gaius' Institutiones are published.

  Commerce

• The silver content of the Roman denarius falls to 68 percent under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, down from 75 percent under Antoninus Pius.

  Births

• August 31 - Commodus, Roman emperor
• Liu Bei, founder of the Shu Han state in the Three Kingdoms period
• Lü Dai, general of the Eastern Wu state in the Three Kingdoms period

  Deaths

• March 7 - Antoninus Pius, Roman Emperor