As we progress forward on our march through the Five Good Emperors, this week we focus on Emperor Hadrian. He took a different approach to ruling the empire than Trajan. His reign was marked by relative peace as he pushed to fortify the borders of Rome and focus internally on improving the everyday lives of its citizens.
Hadrian was born as Publius Aelius Hadrianus in the city of Italica on January 24, 76 AD.
Like Trajan before him, Hadrian was from a well-established Roman family. Sadly, his father died when he was only 10 years old. Trajan would become is guardian.
From an early age, Hadrian was shaped by Roman education, excelling in literature, philosophy, and the Greek arts—a passion that would greatly influence his future.
In his youth, Hadrian was often described as a Greekophile, showing great love for all things Greek. This love would become a defining feature of his reign. Hadrian surrounded himself with Greek scholars, philosophers, and artists, and actively worked to incorporate Greek culture into Roman life.
Early Career
Hadrian began his career in the military, serving under Trajan.
During the Dacian Wars and later the Parthian campaigns, Hadrian distinguished himself as a competent and loyal general. His close relationship with Trajan and his success on the battlefield earned him favor, and Hadrian rose through the ranks, holding various political positions, including the governorship of Pannonia (modern-day Hungary).
In 100 AD, when Hadrian was still a young, rising military officer, he married Vibia Sabina, Trajan’s niece, as part of a politically motivated arrangement. The marriage helped secure Hadrian's ties to the imperial family and reinforced his claim to future power.
In 117 AD, as Trajan lay dying in Selinus, he named Hadrian as his successor. Soon after, upon Trajan’s death, Hadrian was declared emperor by the Roman legions and his reign began.
Hadrian Comes to Power
Hadrian ascended to the throne at a time when Rome was at the peak of its power, thanks to Trajan’s military conquests.
However, unlike Trajan, Hadrian did not seek further expansion of the empire. Instead, he shifted his focus to consolidating and fortifying the empire’s vast borders, believing that Rome had grown too large to manage effectively.
One of Hadrian’s most famous accomplishments was the construction of Hadrian’s Wall in Britannia (modern-day Britain). Built between 122 and 128 AD, the wall stretched about 73 miles across the northern frontier, from the River Tyne in the east to the Solway Firth in the west.
The wall acted as a defensive structure to keep out the Picts and other northern tribes while also helping to control trade in the province.
A Traveling Man
Hadrian was known for being a traveler-emperor—rarely staying in Rome for long.
During his 21-year reign, he spent over half of it traveling throughout the empire. He visited nearly every Roman province, inspecting military garrisons, overseeing public works, and ensuring that the vast Roman territories were being governed effectively.
This made Hadrian unique among Roman emperors, as he ruled much of the empire firsthand rather than relying solely on the governors.
His travels took him to Gaul, Germany, Britain, the Balkans, Greece, Asia Minor, Egypt, and Africa, among other places. Wherever he went, Hadrian commissioned buildings, temples, and monuments, leaving behind architectural wonders that displayed his love of culture and the arts.
Greek Influence
Hadrian’s reign is often characterized by his deep admiration for Greek culture. He spent much of his time in Athens, which became one of his favorite cities.
Hadrian sought to elevate Athens as a cultural center of the empire, funding massive building projects, including the completion of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, which had been left unfinished for over 600 years.
He also established the Panhellenion, a league of Greek cities meant to promote Greek unity and cultural pride within the empire. The league would last over 120 years.
Hadrian’s patronage of the arts extended to literature, philosophy, and architecture. He surrounded himself with scholars and was known for his intellectual pursuits, making him one of the most well-rounded of all Roman emperors.
Hadrian’s Legacy
Hadrian’s architectural legacy was immense. From Hadrian’s Wall to the Greek-inspired buildings in Athens, many of his projects can still be seen today including:
The Pantheon in Rome: Though the original Pantheon was built by Marcus Agrippa, Hadrian completely rebuilt it around 126 AD. The Pantheon is one of the most well-preserved and influential buildings of ancient Rome, with its massive dome and oculus still standing today.
Hadrian’s Villa at Tivoli: This vast complex outside Rome was Hadrian’s personal retreat, filled with palaces, libraries, theaters, baths, and art galleries. The villa reflected his cosmopolitan tastes, with architecture inspired by Greece, Egypt, and the Eastern provinces.
The Library of Hadrian in Athens: Built in 132 AD, this library became a center for learning and study in Athens and was a reflection of Hadrian’s dedication to education and knowledge.
Not Without Challenges
Although Hadrian’s reign was mostly peaceful, it wasn’t without its challenges. One of the most significant events of his later reign was the Bar Kokhba Revolt in Judea (132–135 AD).
Hadrian attempted to rebuild a Jewish Temple, sparking a rebellion among the Jewish population. The revolt was brutally suppressed, and Judea was devastated.
Afterward, Hadrian renamed the province Syria Palaestina in an attempt to erase Jewish ties to the land, and Jews were barred from entering Jerusalem.
Final years
By 136 AD, Hadrian’s health had begun to decline. He suffered from chronic illness and was aware that his time was coming to an end. He initially selected Lucius Aelius as his heir, but after Aelius died unexpectedly, Hadrian adopted Antoninus Pius, ensuring a stable succession.
Hadrian died on July 10, 138 AD in Baiae, near Naples. He was buried in his grand mausoleum, now known as Castel Sant'Angelo, in Rome. His successor, Antoninus Pius, honored Hadrian’s memory by deifying him, ensuring that his legacy lived on in the pantheon of Roman gods.
Places to visit to learn about Emperor Hadrian
Hadrian’s Wall (England, UK)
Why Visit: Hadrian’s Wall is the most iconic symbol of Hadrian’s reign.
What to See: You can walk along parts of the wall and visit several Roman forts along the way, including Housesteads and Vindolanda, where you’ll find museums and artifacts from the Roman occupation.
Hadrian’s Villa (Tivoli, Italy)
Why Visit: Located about 20 miles east of Rome, Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana) in Tivoli was the emperor’s grand country estate. It was one of the most elaborate villa complexes of the Roman world, reflecting Hadrian’s love for Greek and Egyptian architecture.
What to See: Explore the ruins of Hadrian’s vast complex, which included palaces, libraries, temples, baths, and gardens.
Pantheon (Rome, Italy)
Why Visit: The Pantheon in Rome is one of the best-preserved ancient Roman buildings and is a masterpiece of Roman engineering. While the original Pantheon was built by Marcus Agrippa, the current structure was rebuilt by Hadrian around 126 AD.
What to See: The Pantheon’s massive dome remains one of the largest unreinforced concrete domes in the world. The building also houses the tombs of famous Italians, including Raphael.
Castel Sant’Angelo (Rome, Italy)
Why Visit: Originally built as Hadrian’s mausoleum in 135 AD, Castel Sant’Angelo is one of the most recognizable structures in Rome. The emperor wanted a monumental tomb for himself and his family, and it later served as a fortress and papal residence.
What to See: Visitors can tour the mausoleum, which later became a castle and fortress, and see its impressive architecture. The museum inside tells the story of the building’s transformation over the centuries, and it offers beautiful views of Rome from the top.
Temple of Olympian Zeus (Athens, Greece)
Why Visit: Hadrian had a deep love for Greece, and during his reign, he completed the Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens, which had been left unfinished for over 600 years. This massive temple was one of the largest in the ancient world and symbolized Hadrian’s admiration for Greek culture.
What to See: While only a few columns remain, visiting the ruins gives a sense of the temple’s former grandeur.
Library of Hadrian (Athens, Greece)
Why Visit: Hadrian contributed to the cultural revival of Athens by building the Library of Hadrian in 132 AD. This large library and cultural complex was meant to be a center of learning and philosophy, reflecting Hadrian’s own intellectual interests.
What to See: The ruins of the library still stand in Athens, and they offer a view into Hadrian’s efforts to make Athens a major intellectual hub.
Antinopolis (El-Minya, Egypt)
Why Visit: Antinopolis was founded by Hadrian in 130 AD in memory of his companion Antinous, who drowned in the Nile River. The city was built near the site of Antinous’ death and became a Roman city with Greco-Roman architecture and culture.
What to See: While the ruins of Antinopolis are mostly buried or destroyed today, the site is important for understanding Hadrian’s deep affection for Antinous and his influence on Roman-Egyptian culture.
Tomb of Antinous (Palestrina, Italy)
Why Visit: The Tomb of Antinous, Hadrian’s beloved companion, is believed to be located in Palestrina, a town near Rome. Although not as famous as other monuments, it holds significance due to Hadrian’s deep devotion to Antinous, who was deified after his death.
What to See: While the tomb’s exact location is debated, visiting Palestrina offers an opportunity to explore Hadrian’s personal connection to Antinous and see remnants of Roman-era ruins.
Diana's Temple (Évora, Portugal)
Why Visit: The Temple of Diana, located in Évora, Portugal, was built in honor of Hadrian. This ancient Roman temple is one of the best-preserved Roman structures in the Iberian Peninsula and dates back to Hadrian’s reign.
What to See: The temple stands tall in the center of Évora and provides a glimpse of Roman architecture and religious life in the provinces during Hadrian’s rule.
Jerash (Jordan)
Why Visit: The ancient city of Jerash (Gerasa) in modern Jordan thrived under Roman rule, and during Hadrian’s visit in 129–130 AD, a triumphal arch was built in his honor. Jerash is known for its well-preserved Roman ruins.
What to See: Explore Hadrian’s Arch, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis, and other impressive ruins in Jerash. The city provides an incredible window into Roman urban planning and culture.
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