The House of Aurelius was a dynasty that ruled the Roman Empire from 161 to 192. Originating with Emperor Marcus Aurelius (reigned 161-180), the House of Aurelius reigned for 32 years, but only Commodus (reigned 180-192) would be another Aurelian ruler. He was strangled to death in his bathtub by Narcissus, and Pertinax and the House of Helvius took over.
History[]
Marcus Aurelius began his reign in 161, and his son Commodus was the first Roman emperor to be "born in the purple", meaning that he was born during the reign of his father as emperor. Marcus Aurelius was a great philosopher, warrior, and emperor, and he waged a campaign of ten years against the Marcomanni, Quadi, and other Germanic tribes on the frontier of the Roman Empire with Germania. Marcus Aurelius died of natural causes in 180, although murder was suspected. Commodus, his son and successor, was a spoiled leader who made poor choices as the Emperor, leading to dissent in the legions. On New Years' Eve of 192 AD, Commodus was strangled to death by the wrestler Narcissus and Governor of Roman Britain Pertinax succeeded him.