Altinum, Iulia Concordia e Opitergium nel 169 d.C.: profili di città fra prima linea e retrovia

This paper focuses on three neighbouring Roman towns that were variously involved in the events that led to the death of Lucius Verus: the municipium of Altinum, where the emperor died, the colony of Iulia Concordia, which was affected by a serious economic crisis at that time, and the municipium of Opitergium, which was attacked in the raid of the Quads and Marcomans described by Ammianus Marcellinus, before they besieged Aquileia. By examining the relevant primary evidence from the Antonine period and especially from the diarchy of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus, this paper aims to assess the transition of Altinum, Iulia Concordia, and Opitergium from prosperous towns of a peaceful region, which had not been affected by invasions for two centuries and a half, to the principal bulwark against foreign enemies.