Transcript Hadrian
Hadrian Early Life • Born January 24, 76 A.D. • Place of birth debated, either Rome or Italica, Spain (birthplace of Trajan) • Father was P. Aelius Afer a prominent Roman who was a praetor at the time of his death (85/86 A.D.) • Mother was Domitia Paulina, a member of a wealthy family in Gades (one of the wealthiest cities in the empire) • Fathers cousin was the soon-to-be emperor Trajan • After his fathers death he was adopted by Trajan Political Career (92-117 A.D.) • Went to Rome at age 16 to begin his path on the cursus honorum • Climbed the political ladder fast after joining the army • He was extremely admired by his soldiers • Traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire giving him a broaden perspective of the land and it peoples • Became Popular with citizens in Roman provinces, especially Greece (named honorary citizen of Athens in 112 A.D.) • Became tribune of three different legions for consecutive years • Gained military prominence and became consulate at age 32 Relations to Trajan • He was Trajans closest male relative • When Trajan became emperor, Hadrian was fiercely loyal to him • Trajan secured his military position in several Germanic campaigns • Married Trajans grand-niece Vibia Sabina • Was very close to his mother-in-law an the empress Pompeia Plotina (this favor helped secure a powerful presence in Trajans administration) • Built monuments to Trajan and Plotina after their deaths Rise to Emperor • When Trajan died in 117 A.D., Hadrian was legate of Syria and was responsible for securing the East in the aftermath of the Parthian War • The next day (August 9th 117 A.D.) the only tentative adoption by Trajan in 85 A.D. was made public and official, (whether Trajan officially adopted him before his death is debatable) • The massive armies of the east he controlled pledge their loyalty to him as Emperor Hadrian • On August 11th the senate officially recognized him as emperor. • During this time Hadrian was not even in the city of Rome Foreign Policy • Loved traveling the provinces and as a result spent more than half his reign outside of Italy • Had extensive military experience • He saw that the size of empire was straining Rome • Stopped expansionist policies in favor of consolidation of power and stability (this gained him many enemies in his early career) • Perhaps his biggest and most enduring legacy of his philosophies was Hadrian’s Wall, a massive wall built at the border of England and Scotland Domestic Policy • Continued consolidating power • His reign was marked by a time of peace and prosperity in Rome • Was on somewhat uneasy terms with the Senate after 4 high ranking members of Trajans administration were executed, at the insistence of one of Hadrian’s allies in the senate, right after his death, thus preventing them from competing for the position of the emperor • Claims no part in the executions, but suspicions lingered Legacy • Generally considered on of the most well rounded men in Roman history • Was keenly interested in philosophy and architect