Birth of Titus Aelius Aurelius

Titus Aelius Aurelius was born to Marcus Aurelius and Faustina, marking one of the many births in a family that would eventually include at least thirteen children. The birth of Titus occurred during a period when Marcus was gaining significant political power, having recently been granted the tribunician power and imperium by Antoninus. This authority allowed him to influence the Senate and manage military and provincial matters. However, despite the prominence of his parents, Titus Aelius Aurelius faced a tragic fate, as he was one of the children who did not survive long after birth. The challenges of infant mortality were common during this time, and the loss of children was a frequent sorrow for families, including the prominent Aurelius family. The birth of Titus, while a personal event for Marcus and Faustina, also reflects the broader societal issues of the era, where many families experienced the heartache of losing young children due to health complications and the lack of advanced medical care. This narrative of loss and survival within the Aurelius family underscores the human experience of the time, juxtaposed against the backdrop of political ascendance and the responsibilities that came with it.