Why is Marcus Aurelius significant to Rome?
He was the last of the “Five Good Emperors”, and nearly completed a campaign to conquer Germany once and for all, creating two new provinces, Marcomannia and Sarmatia. He was altruistic, wise, and a strong leader. He died suddenly in 180 AD and his son Commodus took power, as Marcus Aurelius had not named any other successor. The same could not be said for Commodus as could be said for his father. He disbanded the campaign and spent the rest of the funds his father had built on games in his own honor. It could be argued that if Marcus Aurelius had lived, or at least named a more competent successor, the empire may not have fallen, at least not as soon as it did.
