# Lucius Verus — Marius the Epicurean character guide

> Lucius Verus in Marius the Epicurean by Walter Pater.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Lucius, Verus, Lucian

**First appearance:** 0013-part-ii-xi-the-most-religious-city-in-the-world

## Who they are

Co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius, known for his more pleasure-loving disposition.

## Relationships

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

_family_

Lucius Verus is Marcus Aurelius's adoptive brother and co-emperor, their relationship strained by differing temperaments and political pressures.

## In the story

### [IV: The Tree of Knowledge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-i-iv-the-tree-of-knowledge)

Mentioned as a sprightly wit whose writings Flavian introduces to Marius, overflowing with intellectual light that can make people laugh where they used to pray.

### [VII: A Pagan End](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-i-vii-a-pagan-end)

His triumphal return from the East brings the plague to Rome.

### [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)

Lucius Verus is mentioned indirectly through the reference to the marriage of Lucilla and Lucius Verus in the timeline, but not directly in the chapter text.

### [XII: The Divinity That Doth Hedge a King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-ii-xii-the-divinity-that-doth-hedge-a-king)

Co-emperor walking beside Aurelius, described as youthful and reminiscent of the god Dionysus, contrasting with Aurelius's seriousness.

### [XIII: The "Mistress and Mother" of Palaces](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-the-mistress-and-mother-of-palaces)

Referenced as a brother to Aurelius, illustrating the emperor's wisdom in not being exigent with men.

### [Manly Amusement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-manly-amusement)

Lucius Verus lounges beside Marius, shouting applause, embodying the enthusiastic participation in the spectacle.

### [Beata Urbs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-iii-xvii-beata-urbs)

Dies suddenly while returning to Rome; his body lies in state and is cremated with grand ceremony.

### [XXIV: A Conversation Not Imaginary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/marius_the_epicurean_se/chapters/part-iv-xxiv-a-conversation-not-imaginary)

Referenced as 'Lucian' in the dialogue, the interlocutor questioning the Stoic.

## Links

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