What did Marcus Aurelius spend much of his reign doing?

What did Marcus Aurelius spend much of his reign doing?

• A. Spent most of his reign away from Rome protecting the borders
• B. Built a new capital in Milan
• C. Rebuilt the Senate
• D. Became emperor of Gaul

Answer: (A)

Defending the empire’s frontiers was the defining activity of Marcus Aurelius’ rule. He spent much of his reign on campaign along the Danube, directing legions against Germanic and Sarmatian tribes in Illyricum and Pannonia. Even with a co-emperor earlier in the 160s (who led the eastern Parthian war), Marcus continued extensive frontier warfare after his partner’s death, and he died while on campaign at Vindobona (modern Vienna). This emphasis on military leadership at the frontiers explains why he spent so much time away from Rome itself. There wasn’t a move to establish a new capital at Milan, nor a major rebuilding of the Senate as a defining project, and he never became emperor of Gaul.

Defending the empire’s frontiers was the defining activity of Marcus Aurelius’ rule. He spent much of his reign on campaign along the Danube, directing legions against Germanic and Sarmatian tribes in Illyricum and Pannonia. Even with a co-emperor earlier in the 160s (who led the eastern Parthian war), Marcus continued extensive frontier warfare after his partner’s death, and he died while on campaign at Vindobona (modern Vienna). This emphasis on military leadership at the frontiers explains why he spent so much time away from Rome itself.

There wasn’t a move to establish a new capital at Milan, nor a major rebuilding of the Senate as a defining project, and he never became emperor of Gaul.