Hadrian

(Publius Aelius Traianus Hadrian)

76–138

TOMB OF HADRIAN

Hadrian was one of the most versatile and talented of the Roman Emperors. His administration, for the most part, was one of peace, but he did proved his military skill in putting down rebellions, and also in planning and organizing a permanent system of fortifications along the imperial borders. Hadrian's wall in Britain, built to keep the uncivilized tribes from the north out of Roman territories, is one of the most famous of these fortifications. Another area in which he showed great talent was in architecture. He planned and built many important buildings including major modifications to the Pantheon, a temple of Jupiter in Jerusalem, the arch of Hadrian in Athens, and improvements to the Roman Forum. The ruins of "Hadrian's Villa", his home in the country outside Rome, are still visible. He was also a great patron of the arts, and was himself a talented musician and poet.

Hadrian was adopted by Trajan, and was married to his grandniece, Sabina. He worked his way up the regular series of offices and was legate to Syria when Trajan died in 117 A.D. He was proclaimed emperor, but consolidated power in the east for almost a year before returning to Rome. This was an indication of how little influence the senate in Rome actually had by this time in governing the empire. Hadrian spent much of his reign traveling throughout the empire, and was away from Rome more than any previous emperor, and his policy was one of consolidation rather than expansion. He is known for firm Romanization policies, which brought him into conflict with the Jews throughout his realm. He put down a Jewish insurrection in 132 A.D., but fighting continued for several years, and thousands of Jews, as well as Christians, were killed as a result. His marriage to Sabina was always rocky, and produced no children. He spent the last few years of his reign at his villa in Tivoli, collecting and patronizing the arts. He died in 138 A.D. and was succeeded by his adopted heir, Antoninus Pius.

Key events during the life of Hadrian:

Year	Event
86	Adopted by Trajan.
95	Military tribune (for three years).
101	Quaestor. Married Trajan's niece, Vibia Sabina. Marriage produced no children.
106	Praetor.
108	Consul suffectus.
117	Military legate in Syria. Adopted by Trajan as successor.
117	Succeeded to imperial throne on death of Trajan.
118	Pacified Moesia.
121	Began construction of Hadrian's Wall in Britain.
	Traveled extensively around empire. Consolidated fortifications.
132	Put down Jewish insurrection.
138	Died.

Other Resources

Story Links	Book Links
Great Wall  in	The Story of the Romans  by  H. A. Guerber

Image Links
Hadrian's Tomb and Aelian Bridge  in Peeps at Many Lands: Ancient Rome	Tomb of Hadrian  in The Story of the Romans	Hadrian's Mole, now Castle of St. Angelo  in Famous Men of Rome
The Tomb of Hadrian  in Historical Tales: Roman	Hadrian's Tomb (Now called Castle of St. Angelo).  in Old World Hero Stories

Contemporary	Short Biography
Antoninus Pius	Fourth of "Five Good Emperors." Continued policy of consolidation. Ruled justly.
Trajan	Second of "Five Good Emperors." Ruled with justice and integrity. Conquered Dacia.
Aelius Verus	Hadrian's first pick for successor, but preceded Hadrian in death.
Sabina	Wife of Hadrian. Niece of Trajan.

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