ROMAN EMPEROR. — Born in the year 86 AD at Lanuvium, he pursued the entire career of offices until reaching the imperial throne in 138; he was gentle, upright, wise, and industrious; he was surnamed Pius for having defended the memory of Hadrian. He maintained good relations with the Senate, was generous to the people, loved peace and order, and had many public works constructed. He was deeply attached to the traditional religion but also showed tolerance toward other cults, particularly moderating the anti-Jewish rigor of his predecessor; he was compared to the mythical lawgiver of Roman religion, Numa Pompilius.
During his reign, Christian martyrs were not lacking, the most notable of whom is the bishop Polycarp of Smyrna, put to death by popular will, as attested by a letter, certainly authentic, written by that Church with moving descriptive vividness. Instead, a document reported by Eusebius (*Hist. eccl.*, IV, 13) concerning ANTONINUS PIUS, namely a letter to the assembly of the province of Asia in which the emperor, following the example of his predecessors, would recommend tolerance toward Christians, is very difficult to authenticate. The phrases contained in it are too benevolent toward the new religion; moreover, the body to which the letter is addressed lacked jurisdiction in the matter. The act nonetheless remains a significant indication of the mindset of Christian communities toward emperors who demonstrated understanding and a sense of justice. ANTONINUS PIUS died on March 7, 161, and was promptly deified.