Born Lucius Ceionius Commodus (130-169) in 130, his name was altered to Lucius Aelius Commodus when his father was adopted by Hadrian as his heir. When Lucius' father, who shared the same name, died in 138 CE, Lucius was adopted by Antoninus Pius alongside Marcus Aurelius.

Now known as Lucius Aelius Aureius Commodus, Lucius would finally become Lucius Verus after his ascension to co-emperor in 161, sharing power with Marcus Aurelius as part of the latter's demands to the Roman Senate when he became emperor. During their reign, the Empire defeated a resurgent Parthian Empire, sacking the capital of Ctesiphon in 164.

Lucius Verus died in 169 after 8 years of rule, struck down by either food poisoning or smallpox, dying during the widespread Antonine Plague. He was deified by the Roman Senate as the Divine Verus after his death. Despite ruling alongside Marcus Aurelius, Lucius Verus is not included in the 'Five Good Emperors'.