Among the victims were Justin Martyr at Rome, and Polycarp at Smyrna.
The death of Lucius Verus in 168 released Aurelius from a colleague who attracted attention only by his unfitness for his position.

The Emperor was thus relieved of embarrassments which might well have become his greatest danger.

The remainder of his reign, however, was scarcely less unhappy.
The dangers from the troublesome barbarians grew greater and greater.
Rome had now passed the age of conquest, and began to show inability even to defend what she had acquired.

For fourteen years Aurelius was engaged on the frontiers fighting these barbarians, and endeavoring to check their advance.

He died at Vienna while thus occupied, in the fifty-ninth year of his life (180).
Peace was shortly afterwards made with the barbarians, a peace bought with money; an example often followed in later times, when Rome lacked the strength and courage to enforce her wishes by force of arms.
Marcus Aurelius was the PHILOSOPHER of the Empire.