4 – Hadrian (117 – 138 AD)
Hadrian was yet another high-quality emperor, and while he is said to have been born in Italica in 76 AD, historians cannot agree on his birthplace. He entered the military at a young age and served as a tribune during the reign of Nerva. His senatorial career began in 101 AD when he became quaestor, and he probably wrote and read Trajan’s speeches to the Senate. Hadrian was part of Trajan’s personal entourage during the First Dacian War but was removed from this lofty position during the Second Dacian War. Officially, he was named as Trajan’s successor in 117 AD, but it appears as if the dying emperor never adopted Hadrian; it was probably his wife, Plotina, who did so. However, Hadrian was the general commander of the eastern Roman army at this point, so his claim to the crown was almost untouchable.
He was almost an absentee emperor as he spent more than half of his reign away from Rome. Hadrian used this time to visit the provinces of the empire, check on the army’s discipline and handle administration. As well as being an excellent administrator, Hadrian won the approval of his men by eating and sleeping with regular soldiers. He preferred negotiation over war, but this wasn’t always possible. Hadrian built a temple to honor Jupiter on the Temple of Solomon’s ruins in Jerusalem which led to the Bar Kokhba revolt in 132 AD. By the time the rebellion was quashed in 135-136 AD, approximately 580,000 Jews had died.
Hadrian is best remembered for the wide array of building projects that took place during his reign. He established several new cities and oversaw the creation of dozens of structures. Hadrian’s Wall in the north of Britain is by far his most famous structure, however. Construction began in 122 AD, and the majority of it was finished in six years. It was originally up to 20 feet high in places and 20 feet wide in other parts of the wall which was 73 miles long upon completion.
Hadrian returned to Rome after the Bar Kokhba revolt due to his ailing health. He named Antonius Pius as his successor with the proviso that Marcus Aurelius would follow. This was an excellent decision as both men were able rulers. Hadrian died in 138 AD after a number of failed suicide attempts. In the end, he just ignored the advice of doctors and indulged himself in food and drink.