Introduction

In 162, after less than a year on the throne, the Tiber flooded causing extensive damage to the capital and triggering catastrophic food shortages. The other crisis that struck Rome in the early years of Marcus's reign was neither immediately recognized, nor, frankly, even suspected would become a crisis. In August 161, Faustina gave birth to twins. While these ill effects were not so immediately felt,. the triumph over Parthia could be called a Pyrrhic victory as it was costly to the point of negating all benefit.