Roman Hadrian
👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻 ALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE 👈🏻👈🏻👈🏻
Ancient History Encyclopedia has a new name!
We are now World History Encyclopedia to better reflect the breadth of our non-profit organization's mission. Learn More
by Joshua J. Mark
published on 02 September 2009
Translated text available in: Spanish
Colossal Marble Head of Hadrian from Sagalassos
Hadrian was Roman emperor from 117 to 138 CE and he is known as the third of the Five Good Emperors (Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, and Marcus Aurelius) who ruled justly. Born Publius Aelius Hadrianus, probably in Hispania, Hadrian is best known for his substantial building projects throughout the Roman Empire and, especially, Hadrian's Wall in northern Britain.
As a young man, Hadrian was well educated in his hometown of Italica Hispania (modern day Seville, Spain) and left for Rome around the age of 14. His first military service was as Tribune under Emperor Nerva (r. 96-98 CE). When Nerva died, Trajan ascended to the throne. Emperor Trajan (r. 98-117 CE) was the first Roman ruler of provincial origin. Later biographers would attempt to place the birth of both Trajan and Hadrian in the city of Rome but both were of Hispanic ethnicity and this commonality has been assumed by some to be the reason for Trajan's adoption of Hadrian as his successor (though most scholars dispute this).
Hadrian is commonly depicted in military attire even though his regime is marked by relative peace.
Trajan died on campaign in Cilicia in 117 CE, with Hadrian in command of his rearguard, and is not believed to have named a successor. Trajan's wife, Plotina (who was fond of Hadrian) signed the papers of succession, and it is thought that she, not the emperor, was responsible for Hadrian's adoption as heir. However that may be, it is known that Trajan respected Hadrian and had considered him as his successor even if he did not officially name him as such. Hadrian's service to Trajan is well documented through the various important positions he held prior to becoming emperor of Rome.
His popularity as emperor is attested to by the fact that Hadrian was absent from Rome for the better part of his reign. Earlier Roman rulers, such as Nero, were harshly criticized for spending less time away from the city. Professor D. Brendan Nagle writes:
[Hadrian] spent most of his reign (twelve out of twenty-one years) traveling all over the Empire visiting the provinces, overseeing the administration, and checking the discipline of the army. He was a brilliant administrator who concerned himself with all aspects of government and the administration of justice. (278)
His devotion to the army was such that he would sleep and eat among the common soldiers, and he is commonly depicted in military attire even though his regime is marked by relative peace.
Hadrian's building projects are perhaps his most enduring legacy. He established cities throughout the Balkan Peninsula, Egypt, Asia Minor, and Greece. His love for Greece and Greek literature was such that he was known as 'Graeculus' (Greekling) in his youth, and his philhellenism did not dissipate with age. He visited Greece at least twice (probably more) and participated in the Eleusinian Mysteries, of which he was an initiate. The Arch of Hadrian, constructed by the citizens of Athens in 131/132 CE, honor Hadrian as the founder of the city. Inscriptions on the arch name Theseus (the traditional founder) but add Hadrian owing to the latter's substantial contributions to Athens (such as the Temple of Zeus).
Sign up for our weekly email newsletter!
He dedicated a number of sites in Greece to his young lover Antinous, who drowned in the Nile River in 130 CE. Hadrian was deeply attached to Antinous and the young man's death so greatly affected the emperor that he had him deified (from which the mystery cult in honor of Antinous grew). In Egypt, he founded the city of Antinopolis in his memory. In Rome, he rebuilt the Pantheon (which had been destroyed by fire) and Trajan's Forum as well as funding construction of other buildings, baths, and villas. Many of these structures survived intact for centuries, some as late as the 19th century CE, and the Pantheon, still perfectly preserved, may be visited in the present day. Hadrian had a great interest in architecture and seems to have contributed ideas or even plans to the architects, though scholars no longer believe that he was the lead architect on any single project.
Of all his significant monuments and buildings, Hadrian's Wall in northern Britain is the most famous. Construction of the wall, known in antiquity as Vallum Hadriani, was begun around 122 CE and corresponded to Hadrian's visit to the province. It marked the northern boundary of the Roman Empire in Britain, but the length and breadth of the project (stretching, as it did, from coast to coast) suggests that the more important purpose of the wall was a show of Rome's power. The wall was originally 9.7 feet wide (3 m) and 16-20 feet high (c. 6 m) east of the River Irthing, all built of stone, and 20 feet wide (6 m) by 11 feet high (3.5 m) west of the river, made up of stone and turf, stretching 73 miles (120 km) across uneven terrain.
It was built in six years by the legions stationed in Britain. There were between 14-17 fortifications along the length of the wall and a vallum (a ditch purposefully constructed of earthworks) which ran parallel to the wall. The Vallum measured 20 feet (6 m) wide by 10 feet (3 m) deep, flanked by large mounds of tightly packed earth. As Hadrian's foreign policy was 'peace through strength', it is thought that the wall, which was originally plastered and whitewashed, would have clearly represented the might of the Roman Empire.
Although Hadrian was a learned and cultivated man, his policy of peaceful relations and negotiations was not always adhered to. In 130 CE, Hadrian visited Jerusalem, which was still in ruins from the First Roman-Jewish War of 66-73 CE. He rebuilt the city according to his own designs and renamed it Aelia Capitolina Jupiter Capitolinus after himself and the king of the Roman gods. When he built a temple to Jupiter on the ruins of the Temple of Solomon (the so-called Second Temple, considered sacred by the Jews), the populace rose up under the leadership of Simon bar Kochba (also given as Shimon Bar-Cochba, Bar Kokhbah, Ben-Cozba, Cosiba or Coziba) in what has come to be known as the Bar-Kochba Revolt (132-136 CE). Roman losses in this campaign were enormous but Jewish losses were no less significant. By the time the rebellion was put down, 580,000 Jews had been killed and over 1000 towns and villages destroyed. Hadrian then banished the remaining Jews from the region and renamed it Syria Palaestina after the traditional enemies of the Jewish people, the Philistines. He ordered a public burning of the Torah, executed the Jewish scholars, and prohibited the practice and observance of Judaism.
His health now failing, Hadrian returned to Rome and occupied himself by writing poetry and tending to administrative affairs. He named as his successor Antoninus Pius (r. 138-161 CE) on the stipulation that Antoninus would adopt the young Marcus Aurelius (r. 161-180 CE) to follow. Hadrian died in 138 CE, presumably of a heart attack, at the age of 62. He was buried first at Puteoli, on the grounds of the former estate of the rhetorician Cicero (as homage to Hadrian's love of learning), but when Antoninus Pius completed the great Tomb of Hadrian in Rome the following year, his body was cremated and the ashes interred there with his wife and son. Antoninus Pius had Hadrian deified and temples built in his honor. The historian Gibbon writes:
[Hadrian's rule was] the period in the history of the world during which the condition of the human race was most happy and prosperous…when the vast extent of the Roman Empire was governed by absolute power under the guidance of virtue and wisdom. (61)
Although Hadrian was not universally admired during his life, or since his death, his reign is generally considered in keeping with Gibbon's estimation.
With your help we create free content that helps millions of people learn history all around the world.
Editorial Review This article has been reviewed for accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards prior to publication.
A freelance writer and former part-time Professor of Philosophy at Marist College, New York, Joshua J. Mark has lived in Greece and Germany and traveled through Egypt. He has taught history, writing, literature, and philosophy at the college level.
When we think about ancient Athens, it is almost always about the...
Dr. Barry Strauss’ Ten Caesars: Roman Emperors from...
The Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens, also known as the Olympieion...
Time has seen the rise and fall of a number of great empires -...
The Library of Hadrian (aka Hadrian's Library) in Athens was constructed...
The Julio-Claudian Dynasty [image:486] Augustus 16 Jan 27...
World History Encyclopedia is a non-profit organization. For only $5 per month you can become a member and support our mission to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide.
Written by Yourcenar, Marguerite & Frick, Grace, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (2005)
Written by Birley, Anthony R & Birley, Anthony R., published by Routledge (2000)
Written by Goldsworthy, Adrian, published by Basic Books (2018)
Written by Kulikowski, Michael, published by Harvard University Press (2016)
Written by Chaniotis, Dr Angelos, published by Profile Books (2019)
Written by Yourcenar, Marguerite & Frick, Grace, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (2005)
The early reforms and economic policies of Hadrian (#Hadrian1900)
Art History Presentation Archive: The Pantheon and Hadrian’s Building Program
Mark, J. J. (2009, September 02). Hadrian. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.ancient.eu/hadrian/
Mark, Joshua J. "Hadrian." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified September 02, 2009. https://www.ancient.eu/hadrian/.
Mark, Joshua J. "Hadrian." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 02 Sep 2009. Web. 10 Mar 2021.
Written by Joshua J. Mark, published on 02 September 2009 under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.
Roman emperor Hadrian grants independence to the Kingdom of Armenia.
Rule of the Roman Emperor Hadrian who supports great building projects in and around the Agora of Athens.
Hadrian returns to Rome. Execution of the four consulars.
Beginning of the works of Hadrian's villa at Tivoli.
First trip of Hadrian around the Empire: Gaul, Germany, Noricum, Britain, Tarraconis, Cappadocia, Gallatia, Bythinia, Asia, Greece, Mesia, Dacia and Pannonia.
Construction begins on Hadrian's Wall.
The Baths of Hadrian at Lepcis Magna are completed.
Hadrian visits Sicilia and Africa. He inspect the African army and gives the Lambesis speech.
Hadrian travels to Greece, Anatolia, Syria, Judea, Arabia, Egypt and goes back via Greece.
Death of Antinous, Hadrian's favourite, in Egypt.
Hadrian's wall is built in northern England.
Adoption of L. Aelius Caesar by Hadrian.
Adoption of Antoninus Pius by Emperor Hadrian.
Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week:
History Enthusiast
Teacher
Student
Librarian
Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. Please support World History Encyclopedia Foundation. Thank you!
Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University and Michigan State University and University of Missouri.
We have also been recommended for educational use by the following publications:
Our Mission Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide.
Ancient History Encyclopedia Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in Canada.
Ancient History Encyclopedia Limited is a non-profit company registered in the United Kingdom.
Some Rights Reserved (2009-2021) under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license unless otherwise noted.
N.S. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise.
Hadrian (January 24, 76–July 10, 138) was a Roman emperor for 21 years who unified and consolidated Rome’s vast empire, unlike his predecessor, who focused on expansion. He was the third of the so-called Five Good Emperors; he presided over the glory days of the Roman Empire and is known for many building projects, including a famous wall across Britain to keep out the barbarians.
Known For: Roman Emperor, one of the five "good emperors"
Also Known As: Imperator Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, Publius Aelius Hadrianu
Born: January 24, 76, possibly in Rome or in Italica, in what is now Spain
Parents: Aelius Hadrianus Afer, Domitia Paulina
Died: July 10, 138 in Baiae, near Naples, Italy
Hadrian was born on Jan. 24, 76. He probably was not originally from Rome. The "Augustan History," a collection of biographies of the Roman emperors, says his family was from Picenum, but more recently of Spain, and moved to Rome. His mother Domitia Paulina came from a distinguished family from Gades, which today is Cadiz, Spain.
His father was Aelius Hadrianus Afer, a magistrate and cousin of future Roman Emperor Trajan. He died when Hadrian was 10, and Trajan and Acilius Attianus (Caelium Tatianum) became his guardians. In 90 Hadrian visited Italica, a Roman city in present-day Spain, where he received military training and developed a fondness for hunting that he kept for the rest of his life.
Hadrian married Vibia Sabina, grand-niece of Emperor Trajan, in 100.
Toward the end of Emperor Domitian's reign, Hadrian started out on the traditional career path of a Roman senator. He was made a military tribune, or officer, and then became a quaestor, a low-ranking magistrate, in 101. He was later curator of the Acts of the Senate. When Trajan was consul, a higher magistrate's position, Hadrian went with him to the Dacian Wars and became tribune of the plebeians, a powerful political office, in 105.
Two years later he became praetor, a magistrate just below consul. He then went to Lower Pannonia as governor and became consul, the pinnacle of a senator’s career, in 108.
His rise from there to emperor in 117 involved some palace intrigue. After he became consul his career rise stopped, possibly triggered by the death of a previous consul, Licinius Sura, when a faction opposed to Sura, Trajan's wife Plotina and Hadrian came to dominate Trajan's court. There is some evidence that during this period, Hadrian devoted himself to studying the nation and culture of Greece, a long-held interest of his.
Somehow, Hadrian’s star rose again shortly before Trajan died, probably because Plotina and her associates had regained Trajan’s confidence. Third-century Greek historian Cassius Dio says that Hadrian's former guardian, Attianus, then a powerful Roman, also was involved. Hadrian was holding a major military command under Trajan when, on Aug. 9, 117, he learned that Trajan had adopted him, a sign of succession. Two days later, it was reported that Trajan had died, and the army proclaimed Hadrian emperor.
Hadrian ruled the Roman Empire until 138. He is known for spending more time traveling throughout the empire than any other emperor. Unlike his predecessors, who had relied on reports from the provinces, Hadrian wanted to see things for himself. He was generous with the military and helped to reform it, including ordering the construction of garrisons and forts. He spent time in Britain, where in 122 he initiated the building of a protective stone wall, known as Hadrian's Wall, across the country in to keep the northern barbarians out. It marked the northernmost boundary of the Roman Empire until early in the fifth century.
The wall stretches from the North Sea to the Irish Sea and is 73 miles long, eight to 10 feet wide, and 15 feet high. Along the way, the Romans built towers and small forts called milecastles, which housed up to 60 men. Sixteen larger forts were built, and south of the wall the Romans dug a wide ditch with six-foot-high earthen banks. Though many of the stones were carried away and recycled into other buildings, the wall still stands.
During his reign, Hadrian was generous to citizens of the Roman empire. He awarded large sums of money to communities and individuals and allowed the children of individuals charged with major crimes to inherit part of the family estate. According to the "Augustan History," he wouldn't take the bequests of people he didn't know or of people whose sons could inherit the bequests, contrary to earlier practice.
Some of Hadrian's reforms indicate how barbaric the times were. He outlawed the practice of enslavers killing their enslaved people and changed the law so that if an enslaver was murdered at home, only captives who were nearby could be tortured for evidence. He also changed laws so that bankrupt people would be flogged in the amphitheater and then released, and he made the baths separate for men and women.
He restored many buildings, including the Pantheon in Rome, and moved the Colossus, the 100-foot bronze statue installed by Nero. When Hadrian traveled to other cities in the empire, he implemented public works projects. Personally, he tried in many ways to live unassumingly, like a private citizen.
On a trip through Asia Minor, Hadrian met Antinoüs, a young man born about 110. Hadrian made Antinoüs his companion, though by some accounts he was regarded as Hadrian's lover. Traveling together along the Nile in 130, the young man fell into the river and drowned, Hadrian was desolate. One report said Antinoüs had jumped into the river as a sacred sacrifice, though Hadrian denied that explanation.
Whatever the reason for his death, Hadrian mourned deeply. The Greek world honored Antinoüs, and cults inspired by him appeared across the empire. Hadrian named Antinopolis, a city near Hermopolis in Egypt, after him.
Hadrian became ill, associated in the "Augustan History" with his refusal to cover his head in heat or cold. His illness lingered, making him long for death. When he couldn't persuade anyone to help him commit suicide, he took up indulgent eating and drinking, according to Dio Cassius. He died on July 10, 138.
Hadrian is remembered for his travels, his building projects, and his efforts to tie together the far-flung outposts of the Roman empire. He was aesthetic and educated and left behind several poems. Signs of his reign remain in a number of buildings, including the Temple of Rome and Venus, and he rebuilt the Pantheon, which had been destroyed by fire during the reign of his predecessor.
His own country residence, Villa Adriana, outside Rome is considered the architectural epitome of the opulence and elegance of the Roman world. Covering seven square miles, it was more a garden city than a villa, including baths, libraries, sculpture gardens, theaters, alfresco dining halls, pavilions, and private suites, portions of which survived to modern times. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1999. Hadrian's tomb, now called the Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, became a burial place for succeeding emperors and was converted into a fortress in the 5th century.
Gill, N.S. "Biography of Hadrian, Roman Emperor." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/hadrian-roman-emperor-118894. Gill, N.S. (2021, February 16). Biography of Hadrian, Roman Emperor. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/hadrian-roman-emperor-118894 Gill, N.S. "Biography o
Hadrian the Roman Emperor - YouTube
Hadrian - Ancient History Encyclopedia
Biography of Hadrian , Roman Emperor
Адриан - Hadrian - Википедия
Roman Emperors - DIR hadrian
Homemade Mature Wives
Xtreme Mature Tube
Joanna Lumley Topless
Roman Hadrian
w_1440" width="550" alt="Roman Hadrian" title="Roman Hadrian">f_auto/A-Corbis-DE002566_xq9itf.jpg" width="550" alt="Roman Hadrian" title="Roman Hadrian">
