The settlement made after these troubles might have
been more satisfactory but for an unexpected rising in the
east. Avidius Cassius, an able captain who had won
renown in the Parthian wars, was at this time chief gover-
nor of the eastern provinces. By whatever means induced,
he had conceived the project of proclaiming himself emperor
as soon as Marcus, who was then in feeble health, should
die ; and a report having been conveyed to him that Marcus
was dead, Cassius did as he had planned. Marcus, on
hearing the news, immediately patched up a peace and
returned home to meet this new peril. The emperor's
great grief was that he must needs engage in the horrors
of civil strife. He praised the qualities of Cassius, and ex-
pressed a heartfelt wish that Cassius might not be driven to
do himself a hurt before he should have the opportunity
to grant a free pardon. But before he could come to the
east news had come to Cassius that the emperor still lived ;
his followers fell away from him, and he was assassinated.
Marcus now went to the east, and while there the mur-
derers brought the head of Cassius to him ; but the emperor
indignantly refused their gift, nor would he admit the men
to his presence.
On this journey his wife, Faustina, died. At his return
the emperor celebrated a triumph (176). Immediately
afterwards he repaired to Germany, and took up once more
the burden of war. His operations were followed by Com-
plete success ; but the troubles of late years had been too
much for his constitution, at no time robust, and on March
17, 180, he died in Pannonia.
