March 17: Marcus Aurelius dies and Commodus remains as the only Emperor of Rome in the year 180.

Bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius. Capitoline Museum, Rome.

Marcus Aurelius died and was immediately deified. His son Commodus accessed as Emperor of Rome although he had been ruling as co-emperor with his father since 177 until Marcus Aurelius´ death in March 17th, 180.

Bust of Marcus Aurelius in the Musée Saint-Raymond, Toulouse.

Marcus Aurelius died in the city of Vindobona, modern Vienna, Austria. His ashes were carried back to Rome and rested in Hadrian’s mausoleum.

Commodus as Hercules in Capitoline Muesums 17^th Emperor of the Roman Empire

Additionally, it was said that there had been a clear and certain fears of civil war. Emperor Marcus Aurelius was appreciated by his people perhaps for his human, philosophical and literary quality.

Commodus

Marcus Aurelius wrote the "Meditations" where states his reflections showing his strength towards adversity; therefore, he was considered to belong to the school of stoicism.

A Denarius featuring Commodus

Commodus ruled very comfortably without any close rival in the Roman environment. Nevertheless, conspirators did not remain silent and began whispering about the possible end of the Pax Romana due to temper the new Emperor.

The Roman Empire during the reign of Marcus Aurelius. His annexation of lands of the Marcomanni and the Jazyges – perhaps to be provincially called Marcomannia and Sarmatia – was cut short in 175 by the revolt of Avidius Cassius and in 180 by his death

Commodus’ real name was Marcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus. Commodus was a political and military outsider, as well as an extreme egotist with neurotic problems.