In 138, soon after this arrangement was made, Hadrian died, leaving the Empire to Titus.
TITUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS PIUS (138-161).
ANTONINUS, a native of Gaul, was fifty-two years old when he succeeded to the throne.

The cognomen PIUS was conferred upon him by the Senate on account of the affectionate respect which he had shown for Hadrian.
He was a man of noble appearance, firm and prudent, and under him the affairs of state moved smoothly.
MARCUS AURELIUS ANTONINUS (161-180).
On the death of Antoninus, Marcus Annius Verus succeeded him under the title of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.
The Moors made an invasion into Spain; the barbarians broke into Gaul; the army in Britain attempted to set up another Emperor; and the Parthians in the East were in an uneasy state.

The Eastern war, however, ended favorably, and the Parthian king purchased peace by ceding Mesopotamia to Rome.

But the returning army brought with it a pestilence, which spread devastation throughout the West.

The Christians were charged with being the cause of the plague, and were cruelly persecuted.