A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

the son of the emperor M. Aurelius and Faustina, was born A. D. 163, two years after Commodus and his twin brother Antoninus Geminus. Antoninus died A. D. 165, and the two surviving princes, Verus and Commodus, were raised to the rank of Caesares, in October, A. D. 166, at the request of L. Aurelius Verus on his return from the East in that year. Annius Verus did not enjoy his dignity long, for he died at Praeneste, A. D. 170, in the seventh year of his age, in consequence of the excision of a tumour under his ear, when his father was on the point of setting out on his expedition against the Marcomanni. The annexed coin has on the obverse the head of Annius Verus with ANNIVS VERVS CAES. ANTONINI AVG. FIL., and on the reverse, the head of Commodus, with COMMODVS CAES. ANTONINI AVG. FIL. (Capitol. Antonin. Phil. 12, 21 ; Lamprid. Commod. 1, 11; Eckhel, vol. vii. p. 82, foll.)