Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which Germanic tribes invaded Roman territory during Marcus Aurelius’s reign?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Bronze equestrian statue of Marcus Aurelius with his right arm raised, seated on a horse, at Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome, Italy. — Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius, bronze equestrian statue in the Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome.

During the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161–180 CE), the Roman Empire faced significant incursions from Germanic tribes, most notably the Marcomanni and the Quadi.

These tribes, along with the Sarmatians, were pushed toward the Roman frontier by the movements of other groups, such as the Goths. Beginning around 166–167 CE, the Marcomanni and their allies launched a major invasion that penetrated into Italy, marking a period of nearly constant warfare for Marcus Aurelius until his death in 180 CE. While the emperor successfully campaigned against these tribes and even sought to annex their territories, the pressure from these Germanic peoples remained a persistent challenge for the empire.123