While he was in the east, Marcus also had an opportunity to discuss the Jewish religion with a well-known rabbi, Judah (c. A. D. 135-c. 220). This event is recorded in the Talmud. It is hard to imagine any other Roman emperor taking part in such an exchange. Marcus also took an interest in Christianity, or at least in Christians. At one point he wrote a letter to the senate urging moderation toward Christians—this at a time when they were regularly subjected to persecution in Rome.
Faustina died while they were in the east, and Marcus returned home to face more troubles with the Germans in a. d. 177. To further ease the financial burdens on his citizens, he ordered in a. d. 178 that all debts for the preceding forty-six years be canceled. He also ordered that the debt records be burned in the Forum at the center of Rome.
Between a. d. 178 and 180, Marcus managed to drive the Germans back, but again he missed the opportunity to consolidate Roman power in the north. This time it was because he was dying. He had ensured that his son Commodus (ruled a. d. 180-192) would succeed him. Just before he died on March 17, 180, he urged Commodus to finish the war he had started.
But Commodus was not his father. He negotiated a peace settlement with the Germans, not because he loved peace, but because this was the easiest solution. Therefore he left the German problem unsettled, and it would plague Rome for the remainder of its history.
With the end of Marcus's reign, Rome's golden age died out. The same problems Marcus had faced would continue to reappear. It would be a long time before Rome had
The ruins of the Roman Forum. Popperfoto/Archive Photos. Reproduced by permission.
Another capable ruler. It would never again have one as kind-hearted and generous as Marcus.
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