# Antoninus Pius — Marius the Epicurean character guide

> Antoninus Pius in Marius the Epicurean by Walter Pater.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** the dying Antoninus Pius, Antoninus, old Antoninus Pius

**First appearance:** 0010-part-ii-viii-animula-vagula

## Who they are

The preceding emperor, whose death is recounted at the start of Marius's Roman sojourn.

## Relationships

### [Marcus Aurelius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/marcus_aurelius)

_family_

Antoninus Pius is Marcus Aurelius's adoptive father and predecessor as emperor, a model of virtuous rule and paternal guidance.

## In the story

### [The Religion of Numa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-i-i-the-religion-of-numa)

Mentioned as the dying emperor who ordered his golden image of Fortune to be carried to his successor, setting the historical context.

### [II: White-Nights](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-i-ii-white-nights)

Mentioned as the head of state whose example gave popularity to ceremonial traditions followed by Marius's father.

### [XI: “The Most Religious City in the World”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-the-most-religious-city-in-the-world)

Antoninus Pius is mentioned as a predecessor commended for his religious devotion, with coins referencing ancient Roman mythology.

### [XIX: The Will as Vision](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-iii-xix-the-will-as-vision)

Mentioned in the context of Aurelius's adoption and dream of ivory shoulders.

### [XXVII: The Triumph of Marcus Aurelius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-iv-xxvii-the-triumph-of-marcus-aurelius)

Remembered for his peaceful life at the villa and his last word 'Aequanimitas!'

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters/antoninus_pius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/characters