He was virtually unique among emperors in that he dealt with crises without leaving Italy once during his reign . He dealt with provincial matters through their governors or through imperial letters to the cities such as Ephesus ( of which some were publicly displayed ) . Nevertheless , Antoninus was virtually unique among emperors in that he dealt with these crises without leaving Italy once during his reign , but instead dealt with provincial matters of war and peace through their governors or through imperial letters to the cities such as Ephesus ( of which some were publicly displayed ) .