The Antonines - Antonius, Pius, Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus and Commodus - played a crucial part in the development of the Roman Empire, controlling its expansive machine for half a century if its most testing period. A period of social and political change when art and literature flourished, but which has left many unanswered questions, surrounding the treatment of the Christians and the reputations of key figures, such as Commodus. As well as offering answers to many of the questions this period has provoked, this work tells of the events which were to transform the Roman Empire from its ancient mould and bring it into the Middle Ages.