Antoninus Pius, originally Titus Aurelius Fulvus Boionius Arrius Antoninus, after adoption Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus AD86-161
Roman emperor

Born in Lanuvium, the son of a consul, he was sent as proconsul into Asia by the Emperor Hadrian, was adopted by him (AD138) and the same year came to the throne. His reign was proverbially peaceful and happy, as a result of his integrity and benevolence. The persecution of Christians was restrained by his progressive measures. In his reign the empire was extended, and the Antonine Wall, named after him, was built between the Forth and Clyde rivers in North Britain. The epithet Pius was conferred on him for his defence of Hadrian's memory. By his wife Faustina he had four children, one of whom married Marcus Aurelius, his adopted son and successor.

Bibliography: Mason Hammond, The Antonine Monarchy (1959)