Pius' fortune passes on to Faustina the Younger in accordance with his will. (Marcus has little need of his wife's fortune. Indeed, at his accession, Marcus transfers part of his mother's estate to his nephew, Ummius Quadratus.)

Faustina is three months pregnant at her husband's accession.

During the pregnancy she dreams of giving birth to two serpents, one fiercer than the other.

On August 31, she gives birth at Lanuvium to twins: T. Aurelius Fulvus Antoninus and Lucius Aurelius Commodus.

Aside from the fact that the twins share Caligula's birthday, the omens are favorable, and the astrologers draw positive horoscopes for the children.

The births are celebrated on the imperial coinage.

Marcus' early reign proceeds smoothly.

He is able to give himself wholly to philosophy and the pursuit of popular affection.

Soon, however, Marcus will find he has many anxieties.

It will mean the end of the felicitas temporum ("happy times") that the coinage of 161 so glibly proclaims.