ANTONINUS Pius, one of the Roman emperors, was born at Lavinium, in the neighbourhood of Rome, A. D. 86. He was descended from noble ancestors, who came originally from Nismes, in Gaul; and his more immediate progenitors had filled the highest offices at Rome. He was educated in the house of Arrias Anto ninus, his grandfather by the mother's side, who had been twice consul, and who was esteemed the most vir tuous man of the age in which he lived. He became possessed, in early life, of considerable wealth, through the generosity of his relations; and he was called, in rapid succession, to the most important public stations. He was consul in the year 120, and afterwards one of the consular governors of Italy, proconsul of Asia, and a member of Adrian's council. In 138, he was adopted by Adrian as his son and successor, invested with pro consular and tribuditial authority, and honoured with the name of Caesar. Upon the death of Adrian, in 139, he ascended the throne amidst the acclamations of the people; and was immediately loaded by the senate with various titles, expressive of their esteem. He received the sirname of Pius, either on account of his dutiful at tention to his father-in-law, and to the late emperor, or on account of his gentle dispositions, and his respect for religion. He was honoured also with the title of Pont, and Father of his Country. He shewed him self worthy of the appellation, and made it the great object of his government, to promote the peace and prosperity of his dominions. He conducted himself with all the moderation and humility of a private son. He paid great respect to the senatorial and trian orders. He filled the public offices with persons of known integrity and ability. He patronized and warded men of learning. He executed several public works of utility and ornament. He resembled Numa in his love of justice and piety, as well as in his anxiety to preserve the empire in tranquillity. He was revered, rather than dreaded, by neighbouring princes. The fame of his virtues engaged many distant nations, such as the Badrians, Hyreanians, and Indians, to send bassadors to his court, and to solicit his friendship. Others, such as the Lazi, the Armenians, the Quadi, though not subject to his empire, readily received ces of his appointment, and seemed desirous to be der his paternal sway. It is related, that even the thian king, when he had advanced to the borders of Armenia, with a hostile intention, was persuaded, by a simple letter from Antoninus, to dismiss his troops, and return in peace. It was a favourite saying of this humane emperor, that he chose rather to save the life of one citizen, than to put to death a thousand enemies ; and owing, in a great degree, to his equitable and prudent conduct, he had few enemies with whom to contend.
According to a principle, which he had adopted as ful in governing, he resided almost constantly in his capital ; and by means of his generals, he easily ed the few trifling commotions which took place during his reign. In this way lie reduced some insurrections among the Daci, Alans, and Moors. He sent Lollius Urbicus to keep the Britons in subjugation; and drew a wall between the friths of Clyde and Forth, to oppose. the inroads of the Scots and Picts. He passed no edicts against the Christians, nevertheless several persons fered martyrdom during his reign. It was to him that Justin presented his first apology; and, though it had not all the effect which was desired, yet it is certain, that Antoninus afterwards wrote letters to several vinces, in favour of the Christians; and expressly dained their accusers to be punished, if they had thing else to lay to their charge, except their religion. After a reign of 23 years, and in the 75th year of his age, he died of a fever, A. D. 161. His death was deeply and universally lamented throughout his empire ; his funeral was observed with the utmost magnificence ; and every possible honour was paid to his memory. He is said to have been a person of a tall stature, and a jestic countenance ; temperate in his mode of living, and cheerful in his temper, disinterested and liberal in the highest degree, amiable and unassuming in his vate conduct. He married Annia Galeria Faustina, daughter of Annius Verus, and sister of Marcus lius's father. She was a woman of a dissolute character ; but, after her death, A. D. 142, Antoninus had the ness, or rather the impiety, to honour her as a divinity, with priests, temples, and sacred rites. He had four children by Faustina, two sons, and two daughters: His sons appear to have died in childhood, but his ters were married during his life, the elder to Lamia Syllanus, and the younger to Marcus Aurelius. At the same time that Antoninus was adopted by Adrian, he was required by that emperor to adopt Marcus Aurelius, who was then seventeen years of age; and also to take charge of Lucius Verus, the infant son of Elius Verus Cxsar. He shewed great regard to Aurelius, gave him his daughter Faustina in marriage, consulted him on all occasions, declared him Ca:sar, and named him his successor. Sec Univers. ?nc. Hist. vol. xv. p. 183— 204. Gibbon's Rom. Hist. vol. i. p. 124. Histoire Auguste Antoninus. Eutrolz. lib. viii. cap. 8. (q)