Editing Lucius Verus (section)

=== Wars on the Danube and death ===
{{Further|Marcomannic Wars}}

In 168 war broke out in the [[Danube|Danubian]] border when the [[Marcomanni]] invaded the Roman territory. This war would last until 180, but Verus did not see the end of it. In 168, as Verus and Marcus Aurelius returned to Rome from the field, Verus fell severely ill and died soon afterwards. Some authors suggest that he was poisoned, but this is unlikely. He may have died due to the widespread epidemic known as the [[Antonine Plague]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bishop |first=M. C. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZDdjDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT149 |title=Lucius Verus and the Roman Defence of the East |date=2018 |publisher=Pen and Sword |isbn=978-1-4738-4945-7 |pages=120–122 |quote=The [[terminus post quem]] is 10 December 168, when Lucius' tribunician power was renewed, while a [[terminus ante quem]] is provided by the first record of Marcus as sole ruler on May 29. |access-date=31 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531223958/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZDdjDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT149 |archive-date=31 May 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite the minor differences between them, Marcus Aurelius grieved the loss of his adoptive brother. He accompanied the body to Rome, where he offered games to honour his memory. After the funeral, the senate declared Verus divine to be worshipped as ''Divus Verus''.<ref name=":1" />

{{Nerva-Antonine family tree}}