Emperor Lucius Verus at Royal Ontario Museum, Canada

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Lucius Verus, a Roman Emperor from 161 until his death in 169, was born Lucius Ceionius Commodus on December 15, 130. When his father was adopted by Hadrian, both father and son had to change their names; he became Lucius Aelius Commodus. He was renamed L. Aelius Aurelius Commodus following his adoption by Caesar Antoninus Pius in February 138. His name changed again after ascending to power in 161. From 161 until his death, Verus ruled together with his adoptive brother Marcus Aurelius as co-emperor. During his reign, the Roman Empire defeated a revitalized Parthia; Avidius Cassius, Verus's general, conquered their capital, Ctesiphon, in 164. The Roman Senate deified him as the Divine Verus.