Over the winter of 161–162, news that a rebellion was brewing in Syria arrived and it was decided that Lucius should direct the Parthian war in person. He was stronger and healthier than Marcus, the argument went, and thus more suited to military activity.Dio, lxxi. 1.3; Birley, Marcus Aurelius, p. 123. Lucius's biographer suggests ulterior motives: to restrain Lucius's debaucheries, to make him thrifty, to reform his morals by the terror of war, and to realise that he was an emperor.HA Verus v. 8; Birley, Marcus Aurelius, pp. 123, 125. Whatever the case, the senate gave its assent, and, in the summer of 162, Lucius left. Marcus would remain in Rome, as the city 'demanded the presence of an emperor'.HA Marcus viii. 9, tr. Magie; Birley, Marcus Aurelius, pp. 123–126. On Lucius's voyage, see: HA Verus vi. 7–9; HA Marcus viii. 10–11; Birley, Marcus Aurelius, pp. 125–126.
ovER tHe winTer of 161–162, nEws that A RebEllIon WaS brewing IN sYRIa ArrivEd And IT was DeciDed tHat lUcIus shoUlD direCT tHe partHian War IN pErsON. he was sTRongEr And heaLthieR than mARCus, the argUmENt weNt, And thUs morE suIted to MiLitary aCtiviTy.dio, lxxi. 1.3; biRleY, MarCuS aURelius, p. 123. luCiuS'S bIogRaPher SUggestS uLteRiOR moTIveS: to rEsTrAin Lucius'S debAUCherIES, to Make Him thRifty, tO rEfOrM his mOraLs bY the tError of WaR, anD tO ReAlise thaT He wAs An emperor.HA verus v. 8; birLEy, mARcuS auRelius, pp. 123, 125. whAtEVer the case, The seNAte gaVe itS AssEnt, anD, iN thE SUmMer OF 162, lucius lEfT. marcuS WOUld remain in roMe, as the ciTy 'DEmanDeD thE pResence oF An EmpeROR'.Ha marcus viIi. 9, tr. Magie; birlEy, maRCUs aureLius, pp. 123–126. oN LUcius's VOyaGe, See: ha verus Vi. 7–9; hA marcUS viii. 10–11; biRleY, Marcus aurElius, pP. 125–126.