Hadrian

Hadrian

11 August 117 – 10 July 138
PredecessorTraianus
SuccessorAntoninus Pius
Born24 January 76, Italica, Hispania Baetica
Died10 July 138 (aged 62), Baiae, Italy
SpouseVibia Sabina
Children

Lucius Aelius Caesar (Adoptive)

Antoninus Pius (Adoptive)

FatherTraianus (Adoptive)
MotherDomitia Paulina

His Story

Hadrian was one of the most influential and successful Roman emperors, who ruled from 117 to 138 CE. He was a man of many talents and interests, who left behind a legacy of cultural achievements, architectural wonders, and political reforms. In this blog post, we will explore his life, his accomplishments, and his impact on the Roman Empire and beyond.

Early life and rise to power

Hadrian was born on January 24, 76 CE, in either Rome or Italica, a Roman city in modern Spain. His father was a senator and a cousin of emperor Trajan, who became his guardian after his father’s death when Hadrian was 10 years old. Hadrian followed the traditional career path of a Roman senator, holding various military and civil offices, such as tribune, quaestor, praetor, consul, and governor. He also accompanied Trajan on his campaigns in Dacia and Parthia, where he gained military experience and reputation.

Hadrian’s relationship with Trajan was complicated and sometimes strained, as he faced opposition from some of Trajan’s advisers and courtiers. However, he also had powerful allies, such as Trajan’s wife Plotina and his former guardian Attianus, who supported his succession. When Trajan died in 117 CE, Hadrian was in Syria as the governor of the province. He received a letter from Plotina, claiming that Trajan had adopted him on his deathbed and named him as his heir. Although some historians doubt the authenticity of this letter, Hadrian was accepted as the new emperor by the army and the senate.

Roman emperor

Hadrian’s reign marked a shift in the imperial policy from expansion to consolidation. He decided to abandon some of the territories that Trajan had conquered, such as Mesopotamia and Armenia, and focus on strengthening the borders and securing the peace of the empire. He traveled extensively throughout the provinces, inspecting the military camps, fortifications, roads, aqueducts, temples, and cities. He also reformed the administration, the legal system, the taxation, and the coinage of the empire. He promoted culture, education, arts, and sciences among the Romans and fostered a cosmopolitan atmosphere that embraced diversity and tolerance.

Hadrian was especially fond of Greek culture and philosophy, which he considered superior to Roman culture. He visited Greece several times and participated in its religious festivals and athletic games. He also sponsored many building projects in Greece, such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens and the Library of Hadrian. He even founded a new city in Egypt named Antinoopolis after his beloved companion Antinous, who drowned in the Nile river in 130 CE.

One of Hadrian’s most famous architectural achievements is the wall that bears his name in Britain. Hadrian’s Wall was a defensive structure that stretched for about 120 km (74 miles) across northern England, from the Solway Firth to the River Tyne. It was built to mark the northern limit of Roman rule and to protect it from the raids of the barbarian tribes. The wall was fortified with towers, gates, ditches, and forts along its length. It also served as a symbol of Roman power and engineering.

Death and legacy

Hadrian died on July 10, 138 CE, at Baiae near Naples after a long illness. He had no biological children but he adopted two men as his successors: first Aelius Caesar, who died in 138 CE before Hadrian; then Antoninus Pius, who became emperor after Hadrian’s death. Hadrian was buried in a mausoleum that he had built for himself on the banks of the Tiber river in Rome. The mausoleum later became known as Castel Sant’Angelo.

Hadrian is widely regarded as one of the greatest Roman emperors who brought stability, prosperity, and cultural flourishing to the empire. He is also recognized as one of the Five Good Emperors who ruled justly and benevolently. His legacy can be seen in many monuments that still stand today across Europe, Asia Minor, Africa, and Egypt. He also influenced many later rulers and thinkers who admired his vision and achievements.

 
(Bust of Augustus, Rome 2023, Picture by Juan Carlos Oviedo)

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