Marcus Aurelius was about 9 years old when Antinous died in 130 AD

Antinous the Gay God shared Ancient Rome's photo.

Marcus Aurelius was about 9 years old when Antinous died in 130 AD, but he was already a brilliant boy. When Aelius Ceasar died shortly after being chosen Emperor in 138, it is believed that Marcus was Hadrian's next choice. However, the ailing and grieving emperor felt that the 17-year-old Marcus was too young.

So Hadrian decided to elect Antoninus Pius instead, requiring Antoninus to choose Marcus and the son of Lucius, called Lucius Verus, to be Antoninus's successors in turn. This became known as the Dynasty of the Antonines, the last flowering of the glory that was Imperial Rome.

When he became emperor at age 40, Marcus Aurelius was one of the wisest rulers in history ... demonstrating the qualities Hadrian had seen in him as a boy ... hand-picked by the Divine Hadrian personally to become Emperor of Rome.

 

Ancient Roman sculpture showing the young Marcus Aurelius. 139-144 AD, Capitoline Museum.