 In periods of joint rule, at first only one of the emperors bore this title, as it occurred for the first time during the reign of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, when only Marcus Aurelius was "pontifex maximus", but later two "pontifices maximi" could serve together, as Pupienus and Balbinus did in 238 A.D.—a situation unthinkable in Republican times.In the crisis of the Third Century, usurpers did not hesitate to claim for themselves the role not only of Emperor but of Pontifex Maximus as well.Even the early Christian Emperors continued to use it; it was only relinquished by Gratian, possibly in 376 A.D. at the time of his visit to Rome, or more probably in 383 when a delegation of pagan senators implored him to restore the Altar of Victory in the Senate House.