Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor of Rome who reigned from 161 to 180 CE, is widely known for his intellect, his leadership during challenging times, and his iconic work Meditations. However, questions surrounding his personal life particularly his family and lineage remain topics of both historical interest and debate. Among the most asked is whether Marcus Aurelius had a son, and if so, what legacy his offspring left behind. Delving into Roman history reveals not only that Marcus did have a son, but that this son played a pivotal role in the decline of imperial Rome.
Marcus Aurelius and His Imperial Family
Marriage to Faustina the Younger
Marcus Aurelius was married to Annia Galeria Faustina, more commonly known as Faustina the Younger. She was the daughter of Emperor Antoninus Pius, Marcus’s adoptive father and predecessor. Their marriage was arranged for political reasons but is believed to have been affectionate and fruitful. Historical records suggest they had as many as 13 children, though many died in infancy or early childhood something not uncommon in the ancient world.
The Roman elite placed great importance on dynastic continuity. A male heir was essential to preserve power and maintain legitimacy. For Marcus, the existence of a healthy son would have significant implications not only for his family but for the entire Roman Empire.
Commodus: The Son of Marcus Aurelius
Birth and Early Life
The most well-documented son of Marcus Aurelius was Lucius Aurelius Commodus, commonly known as Commodus. He was born on August 31, 161 CE, the same year Marcus became co-emperor alongside Lucius Verus. Unlike other emperors who adopted successors based on merit or political alliance, Marcus Aurelius broke from this tradition by preparing his biological son for imperial power from a young age.
Commodus was named Caesar in 166 CE, and later became co-emperor with his father in 177 CE. This elevation marked a shift in Roman imperial policy, where heredity rather than adoption determined succession. It also revealed Marcus’s deep desire to ensure dynastic stability, though with unintended consequences.
Training and Education
As a youth, Commodus received an elite Roman education. He was tutored in rhetoric, philosophy, and governance, reportedly under the guidance of renowned philosophers and scholars. However, many sources particularly from the later Roman period paint a picture of a disinterested and vain young man, lacking the stoic character of his father.
Despite his upbringing, Commodus showed little aptitude for philosophical reflection or civic duty, traits that Marcus Aurelius valued deeply. The contrast between father and son would later become a defining aspect of their respective legacies.
The Reign of Commodus
Becoming Emperor
Upon the death of Marcus Aurelius in 180 CE, Commodus assumed full control of the Roman Empire. His accession marked the first time in Roman history that a biological son succeeded his father as emperor a significant break from the adoptive model that had contributed to the stability of the previous ‘Five Good Emperors.’
While Marcus had hoped that Commodus would carry on a legacy of wise and measured rule, his son’s reign proved drastically different. Commodus quickly distanced himself from his father’s advisors and pursued a path of self-indulgence, spectacle, and autocracy.
Rule Through Fear and Spectacle
Commodus’s reign is often remembered for its eccentricities and brutal methods of control. He fancied himself as a gladiator and would regularly perform in the arena a scandalous move for a Roman emperor. He renamed Rome Colonia Commodiana and even deified himself during his lifetime, behaviors viewed as dangerously egotistical and un-Roman by traditionalists.
Corruption and paranoia ran rampant during his rule. He executed many senators and officials he perceived as threats. These actions led to widespread unrest, culminating in his assassination in 192 CE by a conspiracy that included members of his inner circle.
Impact on Marcus Aurelius’s Legacy
Criticism of His Decision
One of the most frequent criticisms leveled at Marcus Aurelius by historians is his choice to pass the throne to Commodus. While Marcus is revered as a philosopher-king, his failure to see the danger in entrusting the empire to his son is viewed as a tragic flaw.
Had Marcus followed the pattern of adopting a capable successor, as Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, and Antoninus Pius had done, the Roman Empire might have avoided the crisis that followed Commodus’s reign. Instead, the empire entered a period of civil war and instability known as the ‘Year of the Five Emperors.’
Possible Reasons for the Decision
Several theories exist about why Marcus chose Commodus as his heir despite apparent red flags. These include:
- A desire to secure a peaceful transition of power.
- Pressure from the Roman elite or military to maintain dynastic succession.
- Personal affection and hope that Commodus would mature into a worthy leader.
Some scholars also suggest that Marcus may have been in denial about his son’s shortcomings, choosing to believe in his potential rather than his flaws. Others argue that Marcus’s Stoic philosophy may have led him to accept fate and hope for the best, rather than interfere with what he saw as destiny.
Other Children of Marcus Aurelius
Daughters and Lesser-Known Sons
Marcus and Faustina had several other children, including daughters who were married into prominent families. Among his lesser-known sons was Annius Verus, who died young. These children played various roles in court life but none rose to the prominence of Commodus.
The emperor’s daughters, such as Lucilla and Fadilla, were often involved in political intrigue and were married to influential men within the Roman elite. Some were implicated in conspiracies, including a plot against Commodus, showing how deeply fractured the imperial family had become by the late 2nd century CE.
Yes, Marcus Aurelius did have a son Commodus and the ramifications of that relationship were profound for the Roman Empire. While Marcus Aurelius is admired for his intellect, discipline, and philosophical insights, the elevation of Commodus to the throne remains one of the most debated decisions in Roman history. Commodus’s rule marked the end of the Pax Romana and ushered in a period of decline and turmoil for the empire. The tragic irony lies in the contrast between a father who ruled with wisdom and restraint and a son whose reign would nearly undo all that had been built.