The wife of Hadrian, she had been raised in the house of Plotina. They had an unhappy marriage which produced no children. Sabina was strong-willed and independent, and her beliefs on marriage didn't sit well with the Emperor.

Adopted as Caesar by the aging Hadrian, Aelius had no military experience, but had powerful political connections. His health was poor, and his lifestyle luxurious and extravagant. His early death prevented his succession. He was the father of Lucius Verus.

Born to a Greek family from Bithynia, he joined the entourage of Hadrian, and soon became his lover. He died in a drowning accident, and Hadrian was inconsolable; he named towns after the beautiful youth, and created countless images of him.

Antoninus won fame for his integrity whilst proconsul of Asia, and joined Hadrian’s inner circle of advisors. Before he died, Hadrian adopted him as his successor. Antoninus' struggles to ensure that his predecessor's deification, against the will of a reluctant Senate, earned his the cognomen 'Pius', that is loyal or dutiful. His reign was peaceful, orderly, and without major incident, his policies were kindly and progressive. He is responsible for the temporary expansion of Roman authority further into Scotland where the turf rampart between the Forth and Clyde still bears his name, but in contrast to his predecessor he hardly ever left Italy.

The daughter of a consul, she was happily married to Antoninus Pius and bore him two sons and two daughters. She was especially interested in sponsoring and assisting the education of Roman children, particularly Roman girls.

Galerius Antoninus was the second son of Antoninus Pius and Faustina, but he had already died before his father became Emperor, and was buried in Hadrian’s Mausoleum at Rome. This coin is the only issue to bear his picture.

Adopted by Antoninus as his successor in 138, Marcus Aurelius also married Antoninus’ daughter Faustina. Highly educated in Greek and Latin, his ‘Meditations’ show a deep attachment to stoic philosophy. Marcus Aurelius, ruling jointly with his adoptive brother, Lucius Verus, spent much of his reign fighting the Parthians in the East, and securing the weakened Rhine-Danube frontier. His biggest error was to return to hereditary succession rather than adopting a man of tried ability, and thus he became the last of the 'Five Good Emperors'.

The younger daughter of Antoninus Pius and Faustina Senior, she had been betrothed at Hadrian’s wish to Lucius Verus. At Hadrian’s death she was married to Marcus Aurelius, to whom she bore several children including Commodus.

In 149 Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior produced twins: a boy Aurelius Antoninus, who died in infancy, and a daughter Lucilla, who survived to marry Lucius Verus. The births were commemorated on this coin of Antoninus Pius.

Adopted alongside Marcus Aurelius by Antoninus Pius, when Aurelius became Emperor he insisted that Verus be made co-Emperor by the Senate, and they had equal authority, except that Aurelius was also Pontifex Maximus. A large part of his reign was spent campaigning against the Parthian Empire, though contemporary accounts say that Verus travelled in luxury surrounded by actors and musicians. He died from a stroke whilst campaigning alongside Aurelius on the Danubian frontier.

Lucilla bore Lucius Verus three children: two daughters and a son. After Marcus Aurelius’ death she plotted against Commodus, and was executed on his orders whilst living in exile on Capri.

The eldest son of Marcus Aurelius, he began his reign well, trusting his father’s advisors and restoring peace to the Empire. However, a series of conspiracies, real or imagined, resulted in the execution of many of those with the ability to influence the young Emperor in a positive direction. This forced him to rely upon ‘favourites’ of uncertain ability and motivation. Late in his reign he became insane, believing himself to be the reincarnation of Hercules. Determined to appear in public as consul and gladiator, his ministers had him strangled by an athlete called Narcissus.

The wife of Commodus, their marriage had been arranged by their families. Commodus hated Crispina, and she was described as proud and haughty. Accused of adultery or treason, she was banished to Capri, and whilst there executed.

The younger son of Marcus Aurelius and Faustina Junior, he is shown on this medallion, on right, facing his older brother Commodus.  He apparently died in childhood.