Page "Antoninus Pius" Paragraph 24

One highlight during his reign occurred in 148, with the nine-hundredth anniversary of the foundation of Rome being celebrated by the hosting of magnificent games in Rome.

It lasted a number of days, and a host of exotic animals were killed, including elephants, giraffes, tigers, rhinoceroses, crocodiles and hippopotami.

While this increased Antoninus ’ s popularity, the frugal emperor had to debase the Roman currency.

He decreased the silver purity of the denarius from 89 % to 83. 5 % — the actual silver weight dropping from 2. 88 grams to 2. 68 grams.