Roman Imperial
Marcus Aurelius (161-180), Denarius 166, Rome mint
Obverse: laureate head right
M ANTONINVS AVG ARM PARTH MAX
Reverse: Victory standing facing, head right, holding palm and fixing to palm-tree shield inscribed VIC PAR in two lines
TR P XX IMP IIII COS III
Weight 3.04 g
The war with the Parthians began in 161 and lasted for 5 consecutive years. It ended in 166, after the Romans conducted successful campaigns in lower Mesopotamia and Media and sacked Ctesiphon, the capital of the Parthians.