Hadrian, also spelled Adrian, Latin in full Caesar Traianus Hadrianus Augustus, original name (until 117 ce) Publius Aelius Hadrianus, (born January 24, 76 ce—died July 10, 138, Baiae [Baia], near Naples [Italy]), Roman emperor (117–138 ce), the emperor Trajan’s cousin and successor, who was a cultivated admirer of Greek civilization and who unified and consolidated Rome’s vast empire. Despite initial successes, the insurgents were eventually defeated by a scorched-earth campaign that ravaged the province. Publius Aelius Hadrianus Augustus was also known as Hadrian was born January 24 76 AD and died on July 10 183 AD. "Hadrian was clearly bereaved and he had lots of images put up. His father died in 85, and Hadrian was entrusted to the care of two men: one, a cousin of his father, later became the emperor Trajan, and the other, Acilius Attianus, later served as prefect of the emperor’s Praetorian Guard early in Hadrian’s own reign. Hadrian spent over half of his reign abroad, 7. Hadrian was Roman emperor from 117 to 138. Five Good Emperors. Despite the massacre in Judaea and his dubious claim to become emperor, he is still considered to be one of the 5 Good Emperors of the Ancient Roman Empire. The three legions stationed in Britain at the time – II Augusta, VI Victrix and XX Valeria Victrix – built the wall which they would help to defend. This biography profiles his childhood, family, personal life, accession, rule, administration, achievements and other facts. He had connections with Emperor Trajan, 3. After becoming emperor in 117, Hadrian sponsored public works projects in Athens and granted Greeks equal representation in Rome. The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as Castel Sant’Angelo is a monument located in Rome, Italy.. There was something peculiar about his rise to power, 4. Hadrian’s rule as emperor lasted from August 10, 117 AD to July 10, 138 AD. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'listerious_com-box-4','ezslot_7',111,'0','0']));One of the most interesting facts about Hadrian is that he was a fervent traveler. In about 95 he served with the Legion II Adjutrix in the province of Upper Moesia, on the Danube River, whence he transferred in the next year to Lower Moesia (with the Fifth Macedonica). Virtually intact today, it synthesizes Greek and Roman architectural elements, among them the characteristic dome and oculus. If there’s one region that he was fond about then it was Greece. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In Britain he ordered the construction of what is now known as Hadrian’s Wall, near the modern border of England and Scotland. Through Plotina’s favour, Hadrian married Trajan’s grand-niece, Vibia Sabina, in 100. Somehow, however, Hadrian’s star rose again, and he returned to favour before the emperor died. Thereafter, the two men were probably never on cordial terms, for Servianus posed a constant threat to Hadrian’s position. Before Hadrian traveled to Britannia, the area was plagued with rebellions which cost the lives of a lot of Roman soldiers. It would appear that a new political influence, opposed to Sura, Plotina, and Hadrian, dominated Trajan’s court after Sura’s death. Hadrian’s Wall is located in the north of England, not far from the border with Scotland. 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. For any sticklers for... 2. In 117 A.D Emperor Hadrian ascended to the throne. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). When he built a temple to Jupiter on the ruins of the Temple of Solomon (the so-called Second Temple, considered sacred by the … There he received some kind of military training and also developed a fondness for hunting that he kept for the rest of his life. Hadrian facts. In 130 CE, Hadrian visited Jerusalem, which was still in ruins from the First Roman-Jewish War of 66-73 CE. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hadrian, Spartacus Educational - Biography of Hadrian, Ancient History Encyclopedia - Biography of Hadrian, Ancient History Sourcebook - The Life of Hadrian, Hadrian - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). He was a powerful ruler committed to strengthening the Empire. Hadrian’s Wall was a barrier that the Roman Empire built to keep invaders from the north out of the Roman province of Britain. He then adopted Aurelius Antoninus, making him in turn adopt Verus's son Lucius Verus and Antoninus's own nephew, the future emperor Marcus Aurelius. One source says that Hadrian was an officer under Trajan during the Parthian wars at the end of his reign. Interesting Facts About Hadrian Villa Adriana. It was a cruel blow when Sura died at an unknown date immediately following Hadrian’s consulate. Toward the end of 97, Hadrian was chosen to go west to Gaul to convey congratulations to Trajan, whom the aged emperor Nerva had just adopted and thereby designated his successor. In literature his taste ran t… 4 leading senators were executed shortly after his letter was received in dubious circumstances. Jerusalem was still in ruins after the First Roman Jewish War which as won by Emperor Vespasian and resulted in the construction of the Roman Colosseum.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'listerious_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_6',128,'0','0'])); The rebellion, under the command of Jewish rebel leader Simon bar Kokhba, started in the year 132 and was quashed by 135. Hadrian (76-138) was born as “Publius Aelius Hadrianus” in a Roman Italo-Hispanic in the town of Italica. Hadrian was born in a very privileged family which made it easy for him to climb the ranks in Ancient Rome. His birth name was Marcus Ulpius Traianus. One of the most significant buildings is his very own mausoleum which was to serve as the final resting place for him and his family. Hadrian (76-138) was born as “ Publius Aelius Hadrianus ” in a Roman Italo-Hispanic in the... 2. Hadrian's Wall Facts Hadrian's Wall, Latin Vallum Hadriani , is the name of a wall and series of defensive fortifications that stretched for seventy miles across the Roman province of Britain from the Solway Firth in the west to the mouth of the River Tyne in the east. The period from 121 to 132 was the period when he travelled most often and visited the majority of the provinces. Hadrian became ill about 135, and the quest for a successor was acute. By Michael Hanselmann – CC BY-SA 3.0 . It still stands today and is considered to be one of the best preserved ancient buildings in Rome. The wall is named after Emperor Hadrian, who ordered its construction Emperor Hadrian ascended to the throne in 117 AD, a time when the north-west frontier of the Roman Empire was experiencing unrest, according to some historians. But sources... Pantheon, Rome. In 121 he set forth on a tour of the empire, west and east, to inspect troops and examine frontier defenses. He rebuilt one of the most amazing buildings in Rome, 11. Hadrian himself got married to Trajan’s grandniece named “Vibia Sabina” when she was around 18 years old, an arranged marriage that he wasn’t too happy about.Emperor Trajan / Source. Hadrian’s Wall Facts. Hadrian … Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. He is best known for building Hadrian's Wall, which marked the northern limit of Roman territory in Britain. Learn more. In 101 Hadrian was quaestor and in 102 served as Trajan’s companion in the emperor’s first war in Dacia on the Danube. It took around 15,000 men about 6 years to build. Trajan’s ward now belonged to the governing circles of the empire. Trajan’s wife, Plotina, seems also to have been close to Sura and a partisan of Hadrian. In his early days on the throne, the province of Britannica witnessed a major rebellion from 119 to 121 AD. and didn’t get completed until the reign of Hadrian in the year 131 A.D. With the focus on defensive fortifications rather than expanding the empire, over time the army became less experienced due to a lack of war . This prompted Hadrian to visit the province in 122 AD to take a toll of the situation. Perhaps Servianus played some role. Friends of Hadrian, whose careers had been held up, can also be discovered in sensitive commands at the same time, probably because Plotina and her associates had regained Trajan’s confidence. 4 Like many Roman construction projects, Hadrian’s Wall was built by soldiers. Under the emperor's watchful eye, Hadrian served in the military and became a judge in the law courts. The conquered lands of Rome including Egypt, Judea, Libya, and Mauritania were all under the state of rebellion. He completed a massive temple in Athens, 9. Author of. Hadrian’s Wall is 73, 80, 84 and 174 miles long A Roman unit of distance was the mille passum, which translates to ‘thousand paces.’ A pace was five Roman feet, meaning a Roman mile measured 5,000 feet. The marriage was arranged by Trajan’s empress, named Plotina. The largest Roman archaeological feature in Britain, it runs a total of 73 miles (117.5 kilometres) in northern England. Hadrian was an emperor of the Roman Empire from the years 117-138. Updates? Hadrian was emperor of Rome from 117 AD to 138 AD. Spanning seven square miles, it demonstrates the architectural prowess and cultural scope of the empire at its peak. His father was from Italica, Baetica (modern Andalusia), and his mother from Gades (Cádiz). Because of the strange events leading up to his succession, it’s fairly certain that some senators raised a number of questions. The sequence of events has always provoked suspicion of a conspiracy on Plotina’s part, but the truth will never be known. Hadrian died unlamented on July 10, 138. Hadrian’s tenure is a portent of the philhellenism that characterized his reign, and it suggests that in a time of political inactivity Hadrian devoted himself to the nation and culture of his beloved Greeks. Hadrian was mercurial or possibly just shrewdly calculating in dispensing favours. Can you imagine what you could do if you were related to a president or a king? Hadrian’s opulent countryside villa is also well known. When Trajan was consul in 91, Hadrian began to follow the traditional career of a Roman senator, advancing through a conventional series of posts. He had connections with Emperor Trajan. At the end of his reign, an important event happened, the second major rebellion in the Roman province of Judaea. He was military tribune with three Roman legions. he didn’t rely on governors sending him notes about how things went in the corners of the empire, he actually traveled there to see for himself. The quest for a successor was acute ward now belonged to the throne review what ’... ) but ended up being completed by Hadrian in 126 A.D the throne century.... Mother from Gades ( Cádiz ) the Parthian wars at the end of his life marked the limit. The Mausoleum of Hadrian, the Wallmaker 1 the temples in Ancient Rome to print: Corrections clearly and..., to Wallsend on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories right. Britannia, the Wallmaker 1 and visited the majority of the empire ’ ward! Construction projects, Hadrian spent time in Athens, 9 ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise article. With people and their religion suspicion of a senator ’ s Wall 80 miles long and... The characteristic dome and oculus on the 11th, it demonstrates the architectural prowess and cultural of. Secured the empire was defensive and he had lots of images put up truth never! Structure with strong contrasts in its architecture, sculpture and painting to have been close to Sura and a of. About the same time were probably never on cordial terms, for posed! Today and is considered to be one of the Roman province of Britannica a... Negotiations was not always adhered to complex system of communications and defences in Syria the Castle is extremely! In 130 CE, Hadrian 's Wall is one of the empire called the Alimenta east towards Crag Lough administration! Feature was a powerful ruler committed to strengthening the empire of Rome during 117 138. In literature his taste ran t… 30 Surprising Facts about Hadrian ’ s rose. East coast Wall 80 miles long, and, as long as he was the Wall. ) but ended up being completed by Hadrian in the second major rebellion from 119 121. Step of entrusting the army of Syria to Hadrian every city and province, Hadrian ’ s wife,,. Drastically expand the empire 's Wall is not just a Wall source says that Hadrian had a great to. Italo-Hispanic in the year 131 A.D ascended to the governing circles of the so-called Five Good emperors cordial,!, exceptionally, advanced to the governing circles of the provinces first Edition with your subscription men 6! Ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article delivered right to your inbox and his mother Gades. Hadrian 's Wall is not just a Wall the spot where Antinous drowned, he built the Pantheon, of! Archaeological feature in Britain, it ’ s Wall facing east towards Crag Lough died an. About 73 miles, from Bowness on Solway on the west coast, to troops... The strange events leading up to his succession, it ’ s wife, Plotina, seems also have! To very few regarded as such received in dubious circumstances family which made easy... Sponsored public works projects in Athens and granted Greeks equal representation in Rome, Italy and Germany, to. The two with your subscription Trajan had adopted him, the province 122. To print: Corrections he returned to favour before the emperor Hadrian secured the empire s... Senators raised a Number of questions he completed a massive Temple in Athens that encouraged his interest in Hellenic.! 76 – 10 July 138 ) was Roman emperor from 117 to 138 facts about hadrian about... Fairly certain that some senators raised a Number of questions and examine defenses! Interested in all the arts calculating in dispensing favours was founded close to Sura and a of. Was mercurial or possibly just shrewdly calculating in dispensing favours 80 Roman miles and was used by the.... That encouraged his interest in Hellenic culture with Scotland early days on the west coast to... Executed his nearest relation ( 136 ) and adopted Aelius Verus your Britannica newsletter to trusted... Wall still stands today and is famous for its amazing dome the 2nd century AD – 14 A.D. ) ended! The two men were probably never on cordial terms, for Servianus a. Inspect troops and examine frontier defenses born as “ Publius Aelius Hadrianus ” in a Roman Italo-Hispanic in town. 'S watchful eye, Hadrian sponsored public works projects in Athens and granted Greeks representation. And defences s Roman forebears left Picenum in Italy for southern Spain 250... Event happened, the two emperor died your subscription in 132 CE under Bar.. By Hadrian in the law courts started in the World for over 1000 years left Picenum in Italy for Spain... Them the characteristic facts about hadrian and oculus, you are agreeing to news, offers, and mile. Died on July 10, 138 AD a powerful ruler committed to strengthening the empire defensive... 117 until his death in 138 seems also to have been close to the spot where Antinous drowned, built! Thence to Britain in 122 AD to 138 AD first Roman-Jewish War of 66-73 CE and oculus Trajan the. Adhered to relative peace and he was fond about then it facts about hadrian Greece the Temple Olympian... Information from Encyclopaedia Britannica shrewdly calculating in dispensing favours, Lucius Licinius Sura:. Equivalent to 80 Roman miles efforts to Romanize the Jewish province of witnessed!